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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The FRONTIER team was honoured to attend the Dean’s Tumut Golf Day Charity Event, celebrating its 10th anniversary!
With 120 golfers taking part and raised over $30,000, the event was a wonderful demonstration of the community coming together to support an important cause.
This year’s event was particularly meaningful as it marked the first year without Stephen, Jane’s beloved husband, who lived with FTD.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Jane and her family for their ongoing dedication to raising awareness of FTD and supporting our research. Their efforts help bring greater understanding to the condition and contribute to the ongoing work towards improving the lives of people living with FTD and their families.
Thank you to everyone who participated, donated and helped make this milestone event such a success. Your support makes a real difference to the FTD community.
If you would like to read the Tumut and Adelong Times about the event, click here. -
Another tremendous success for our annual FRONTIER Carer Information Day on Wednday 30th September 2026.
We were pleased to welcome 67 participants; 33 in person and 34 online. We took this opportunity to provide an update on FTD research, support for care partners, and clinical trials.
Watch the presentations on our YouTube Channel here and feel free to share them with anyone who may find them useful.
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Curious about what FRONTIER does? Our new video breaks it down.
Hear from Prof Olivier Piguet on how our clinic and research programs come together to advance the field.
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/JRYACI0kBP0?si=qRH7nF5w_a0PIDse
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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Early anhedonia distinguishes behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia from Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimers Dement (Amst). 2026 Oct 9;18(4):e70501. doi: 10.1002/dad2.70501.
Shaw S, Warren SL, Teng C, Huynh J, Ahmed R, Piguet O, Whitton AE, Irish M.Last updated: October 26th 2026.
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Changes in body composition in genetic C9orf72 carriers: The role of the hypothalamus and thalamus
Alzheimers Dement. 2026 Jul;22(7):e71669. doi: 10.1002/alz.71669.
Ahmed RM, Tse NY, Bocchetta M, Dobson-Stone C, Kwok JB, Hodges JR, Irish M, Rohrer JR, Piguet O, Halliday G.
Last updated: October 26th 2026.
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TASIT super short: Empirical development of a social cognition screener
The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2026.2674739
McDonald S, Honan C, Ning N, Piguet O, Kumfor F.Last updated: October 26th 2026.
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Unravelling cognition-Emotion mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia: A network analysis approach.
Cortex. 2026 Jun;199:60-82. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2026.03.009.
Musrah ATS, Nugraha DY, Kumfor F, Piguet O.Last updated: October 26th 2026.
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Quantitative assessment of brain atrophy in bvFTD: Implications for diagnostic conversion
Eur J Neurol. 2025 Jul;32(7):e70257. doi: 10.1111/ene.70257.
Beydoun C, Quang H, Matis S, Hazelton JL, Carrick J, Fumagalli GG, Piguet O, Landin-Romero R.
Last updated: October 26th 2026.
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Empathy in primary progressive aphasia: Neural signatures and longitudinal trajectories
Alzheimers Dement. 2026 May;22(5):e71519. doi: 10.1002/alz.71519.
Cordonier N, Matis S, Teng H, Carrick J, Hwang Y, Ahmed RM, Landin-Romero R, Piguet O.
Last updated: October 26th 2026.
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Altered amygdala structural connectivity and relations to social cognition in frontotemporal dementia
Alzheimers Dement. 2026 May;22(5):e71482. doi: 10.1002/alz.71482.
Huang M, Dalton MA, Matis S, Teng HAC, Cheung SC, Hwang YT, Ahmed RM, Landin-Romero R, Piguet O.Last updated: October 26th 2026.
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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