The FRONTIER Clinical Research Group is Australia’s largest specialist team focused on frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Since 2007, we have conducted research that has helped improve the diagnosis, prognosis, and support of individuals living with FTD. Our research covers cognition, speech and language, behaviour, social functioning, neuroimaging, genetics, clinical management, and other key aspects of FTD and dementia more broadly. We work with individuals diagnosed with FTD and related conditions, such as corticobasal syndrome (CBS) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), as well as with those living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA), or posterior cortical atrophy (PCA).
We also work closely with carers and families, helping to clarify the diagnosis and understand the changes that occur over time. We provide practical guidance, connect families with specialised services, and offer ongoing support throughout the FTD journey.
FRONTIER is led by Professor Olivier Piguet and includes approximately 20 researchers, clinicians, students, and administrative staff. Our research is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council, university funding, and generous community donations. The FRONTIER research clinic is based at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney.
Click below to keep up with our social media platforms where we post updates on papers, events and connect with our community.
Welcome to FRONTIER
Featured Collaborations
On our YouTube channel, we feature a series of videos showcasing our diverse collaborations that are advancing dementia research and care in Australia. Whether you're a researcher, a carer, or simply looking to better understand dementia, these stories highlight the real-world impact of our collaborations in improving knowledge, support, and outcomes for people living with dementia.
Latest Publications
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Differentiating sporadic frontotemporal dementia from late-onset primary psychiatric disorders
Brain Commun. 2025 May 22;7(3):fcaf199. doi: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaf199.eCollection 2025.
de Boer SCM, Riedl L, Braak S, Fenoglio C, Foxe D, et al.This publication demonstrates that cognitive screening, letter fluency, and attention assessments are effective tools for differentiating behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia from late-onset primary psychiatric disorders.
Last updated: September 5th 2025.
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Development of the Flexibility in Daily Life scale to measure multidimensional cognitive and behavioural flexibility in health and disease
Br J Clin Psychol. 2025 Jun;64(2):315-329. doi: 10.1111/bjc.12505.Epub 2024 Sep 22.
Horne K, Chen T, Irish M.
This publication introduces and validates the new Flexibility in Daily Life (FIDL) questionnaire, showing it reliably measures thinking and behavior flexibility across different ages.Last updated: September 5th 2025.
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Interpreting Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-III Scores in Dementia: Performance Distributions and Clinically Meaningful Change
Eur J Neurol. 2025 Jul;32(7):e70257. doi: 10.1111/ene.70257.
Carrick J, Cheung SC, Foxe D, Piguet O.
This publication offers practical reference ranges and meaningful yearly change thresholds for the ACE-III cognitive test, helping clinicians better track dementia progression.
Last updated: September 5th 2025.
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Behavioural and cognitive profiles in frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease: a longitudinal study
J Neurol. 2025 Mar 21;272(4):279. doi: 10.1007/s00415-025-13025-z.
Zhang X, Irish M, Piguet O, Ahmed RM.
This publication tracks how behaviour and thinking abilities change over time in different types of dementia; AD and variants of FTD to help clinicians understand and compare how these conditions progress.Last updated: September 5th 2025.
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Fourteen years later: Reviewing the diagnostic criteria for behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia
Alzheimers Dement. 2025 Jan;21(1):e070604. doi: 10.1002/alz.70604.
Piguet O, Clarke A. J, Foxe D, Tse N Y, et al.
This publication examines the diagnostic criteria for behavioral‐variant frontotemporal dementia, highlighting that the cognitive criterion may be overly restrictive and potentially delay diagnosis and treatment.Last updated: September 5th 2025.
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Survival rates in frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
J Neurol. 2025 Mar 21;272(4):279. doi: 10.1007/s00415-025-13025-z.
Foxe D, Muggleton J, Cheung SC, Mueller N, Ahmed RM, et al.
This publication explores the distinct survival patterns across FTD and AD subtypes. Demographic and presenting clinical features provide valuable prognostic insights for survival.Last updated: September 5th 2025.
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A Bayesian analysis of diagnostic timelines across Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and other neurodegenerative conditions
Alzheimer Dement. 2025;11(3):e070184. doi: 10.1002/dad2.70184.
Ambikairaj A, Foxe D, de Lange A, et al.The publication examines the role of digital and remote assessment approaches in enhancing the diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Last updated: September 30th 2025.
Support Us
FRONTIER is funded by government grants and donations from people like you. With your support, we can continue to make a real difference in the lives of people living with FTD.
Contact Us
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