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
Annoucements
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Project Title: How do we remember? Precision mapping of human memory brain systems with novel integrated multimodal neuroimaging techniques
Supervisors: Olivier Piguet, Marshall Dalton, Ramon Landin-Romero
Summary: We are seeking a motivated PhD candidate to join FRONTIER at the University of Sydney’s Brain & Mind Centre to work on a newly-funded ARC Discovery Project investigating the neurobiological bases of human memory.
This project aims to provide the first integrated model of age-related changes in the memory systems of the human brain. Core memory brain structures have been identified but how these structures are connected, their specific roles, and how they change as we age is lacking in humans.
Our team has developed ground-breaking neuroimaging analysis methods that will be applied to address this important knowledge gap. This model will provide the benchmark against which to measure changes in memory functions during life and will provide a framework to understand how disruption in this memory system affects memory capacity. This project will enable human memory research to be integrated and biologically grounded.
Essential Criteria: Honours or Master’s degree in psychology, neuroscience or related fields; an interest in human cognition, neuroimaging, ageing and in dementia.
Desirable Criteria: Prior neuroimaging analysis skills and coding experience is desirable but not necessary.
For further information, please email Prof Olivier Piguet (olivier.piguet@sydney.edu.au)
Up as of 30 January 2026 -
The Artful: Art and Dementia program at the Museum of Contemporary Arts (MCA), The Rocks, Sydney, is now taking expressions of interest for their free Autumn/Winter 2026 events!
These events support people living with dementia, their families, and the wider community through creativity, connection, and artmaking.Programs include gallery visits, artmaking, morning tea, and creative online sessions.
Upcoming dates include:
• 24 Feb – Creative Care Circle (Online)
• 11 Mar – Artful Family Community Day (Onsite)
• 31 Mar – Creative Care Circle (Online)
• 15 Apr–20 May – Autumn 6‑Week Program (Onsite – limited places)
• 20 May – Autumn Community Celebration (Onsite)
• 30 Jun – Winter Creative Care Circle (Online)
• 15 Jul – Winter Family Day (Onsite)All events are free.
Bookings or enquiries: Michelle.Heldon@mca.com.au
More info: https://www.mca.com.au/learn/art-dementia/Up as of 18 February 2026
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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Modeling contributions of cognition and apathy to functional impairment in younger-onset dementia
Alzheimers Dement (Amst). 2026 Jan 20;18(1):e70249. doi: 10.1002/dad2.70249.
PMID: 41573421; PMCID: PMC12819045.
Warren SL, Ahmed RM, Piguet O, Foxe D, Irish M.Last updated: February 18th 2026.
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Social cognition in the nonfluent and logopenic variants of primary progressive aphasia: A review of variant-specific profiles
Cortex. 2025 Dec;193:171-190. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2025.10.007. Epub 2025 Nov 5. PMID: 41259904.
Cordonier N, Piguet O.
Last updated: February 18th 2026.
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Cognitive-linguistic skills in production of expository discourse: Insights from longitudinal changes and neural correlates in primary progressive aphasia
Cortex. 2026 Jan;194:121-142. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2025.11.011. Epub 2025 Dec 1. PMID: 41391212.
Anwia MA, Lowe MS, Matis S, Carrick J, Piguet O, Landin-Romero R, Ballard KJ.Last updated: February 18th 2026.
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Glial and neuronal cell-free DNA in plasma of sporadic bvFTD and late onset primary psychiatric disease patients
Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 6;15(1):38844. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-22667-y. PMID: 41198751; PMCID: PMC12592525.
Chatterton Z, de Boer SCM, Riedl L, Matis S, Fenoglio C, Rue I, Landin-Romero R, Southwood D, Galimberti D, Arighi A, Diehl-Schmid J, Ducharme S, Pijnenburg YAL, Piguet O, Halliday G.Last updated: February 18th 2026.
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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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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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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.
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.
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