CTE funding set to boost Australia’s future brain health

Dementia Australia welcomes the $12.5 million investment by the Federal Government to tackle chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), announced in Brisbane today by the Hon. Anika Wells MP, Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport.

Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said with this funding, Dementia Australia, together with the Concussion and CTE Coalition and other important partners, and working with the Federal Government, will develop and deliver a national pilot program of support services for people impacted by CTE, and a national awareness and education program in schools.

“CTE is a preventable form of dementia, and some estimates suggest thousands of people are impacted,” Professor Buchanan said.

“As dementia edges close to becoming the leading cause of death of Australians, it is crucial we act now to focus on the brain health of the nation.

“Dementia Australia has been working closely with the Concussion and CTE Coalition and other partners advocating for support services, education and awareness raising about concussion and CTE.

“We acknowledge the generous support and commitment by Wally Lewis AM – a Dementia Australia and Connecters Australia Ambassador – who has been diagnosed with probable CTE. As Wally has said publicly many times: “We only get one brain.”

“We also wish to acknowledge the delegation of 20 people living with probable CTE and carers who joined the campaign in Federal Parliament in February last year to support the call for government support.”

CTE, as a form dementia, can result in changes in mood, personality, behaviour and cognitive function. Research has increasingly identified a strong causal link between repeated head injuries and CTE.  

Wally Lewis AM, Dementia Australia and Connecters Australia Ambassador said this funding was fantastic news. 

“On behalf of all people impacted by CTE I say thank you,” Mr Lewis said. 

“We need to be talking to the whole community about protecting our brains and brain health and continuing to support people who are impacted by the effects of repeated head injury and are at risk of CTE.”

The Concussion and CTE Coalition includes Dementia Australia, Brain Foundation, Connecters Australia, Associate Professor Fatima Nasrallah of the Queensland Brain Institute at The University of Queensland and Dr Rowena Mobbs of Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland.