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Distinguished Professor Sir Richard Faull, University of Auckland Centre for Brain Research (CBR), Co-Director of the Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank We are on the verge of significant advances in drug development and treatments for dementia mate wareware (the preferred te reo Māori term for dementia as described in Headlines 143). After decades studying human brains and tissue, we've gained a much better understanding of how the buildup of tau proteins in a dementia brain disrupts communication between cells. Drug treatments for dementia will become more effective at targeting these tau proteins, and with fewer side effects, bringing life-changing relief to millions of families. Our Dementia Prevention Research Clinics will play a major role in trialling these new treatments and giving hope to whānau and the people of Aotearoa New Zealand. Professor Cliff Abraham, University of Otago, Co-lead of the Aotearoa Brain Project We live in exciting times. The pace of Alzheimer’s research has picked up dramatically in the past decade, including here in Aotearoa. One clear advance is the development of blood tests for the disease. These tests will only get better and spread to routine clinical use. More difficult is the development of effective treatments. This is where time, effort and money must be put. The encouraging new therapies that have recently come to attention, albeit with significant caveats, is the sign that the next decade will bring even better drug and gene-modifying treatments that build the brain’s resilience to dementias, adding to what individuals already can do through their lifestyle choices. DEMENTIA FEATURE What does the next decade hold? Experts share their thoughts Hundreds of brilliant researchers, clinicians and members of the community are working hard to better understand dementia and find a path forward (some with help from generous Neurological Foundation supporters). But what’s ahead? We asked several experts to ‘future-gaze,’ giving us their predictions and hopes for the next 10 years. We’re honoured to share them with you here. 16 Headlines