Jessica Hazelton

What is the focus of the research?

Identifying ways to better distinguish frontotemporal dementia (FTD) from psychiatric conditions such as depression or anxiety.

What will this travel grant achieve?

FTD can be difficult to diagnose. It presents in different ways and symptoms often overlap with psychiatric disorders. Emerging evidence suggests that FTD may affect not only the brain, but also the body – and how the two communicate. Dr Hazelton will investigate whether these physical changes can help tell the conditions apart, using detailed clinical, neuroimaging and physiological measures.

Dr Hazelton will visit Alzheimer’s Centre Amsterdam, a world-leading clinic for early onset dementia and neuropsychiatric conditions. Here, she will be given access to a unique, well-characterised cohort of patients, hands-on experience with data and mentorship from an internationally recognised leader in FTD. Her research will lead to a high-quality publication and establish new markers that can help clinicians accurately differentiate FTD from psychiatric disorders, ensuring people receive early and appropriate care.

What could it mean for people living with dementia?

• Faster and more accurate diagnosis of FTD.
• Earlier access to tailored care and support.
• Reduced incidents of misdiagnosis.

Dr Hazelton is a post-doctoral fellow in clinical neuroimaging at The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre. Her research aims to better understand brain-body interactions and how these interactions may break down in neurodegenerative diseases. She hopes that this line of research will help to identify early markers of disease and inform future behavioural interventions.