Neurodegenerative Diseases

What is a neurodegenerative disease?

Neurodegenerative diseases are chronic illnesses that progressively damage nerve cells in the brain and nervous system, affecting movement, memory, thinking and daily function.

Put simply, neurodegenerative diseases cause a gradual loss of how the brain and nerves function over time.

How do neurodegenerative diseases affect people?

These conditions can affect many critical functions of the body and mind, including:

• Movement: Damage to nerve cells that control muscles can cause stiffness, tremors, weakness or loss of coordination, making everyday movements slower and more difficult.
• Memory: Neurodegenerative disease can interfere with the brain’s ability to store and recall information, leading to forgetfulness and increasing challenges with recognising people, places or routines.
• Thinking: Changes in brain function may affect concentration, problem-solving and decision-making, and make complex tasks harder to manage over time.
• Behaviour: Some neurodegenerative diseases can alter mood, personality or emotional control, affecting relationships and how a person interacts with others.
• Daily function: As symptoms progress, individuals may struggle with routine activities such as dressing, eating, communicating or living independently.

How many Australians are affected?

Neurodegenerative diseases cause profound and growing impacts across Australian communities, healthcare systems and families. Here are some of the most common neurodegenerative conditions in Australia:

• Dementia:

An estimated 433,300 Australians in 2025 were living with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and related forms. Dementia is a leading cause of disability and death in older Australians.

Without significant intervention, this number is projected to rise to more than 812,500 by 2054, almost doubling current prevalence.

• Parkinson’s: 

Recent national estimates report that around 150,000 Australians are living with Parkinson’s. This prevalent neurological condition has both movement and non-movement symptoms, and limited treatment options available.

About 50 Australians are diagnosed with Parkinson’s every day, and projections suggest an increase in Parkinson’s cases as the population ages.

• Motor neurone disease (MND): 

In 2025, there were approximately 2,800 Australians living with MND, equivalent to about one in every 10,000 people. After adjusting for inflation, total health-system expenditure attributed to MND doubled in the decade from 2013–14 to 2023–24.

• Multiple sclerosis (MS): 

Data from 2021 show there were 33,335 Australians living with multiple sclerosis, and prevalence has been increasing over recent years.

In 2021, the annual per person cost of a person living with MS in Australia was $73,457. That is higher than other comparable complex chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s ($53,318), Type 2 diabetes ($5,209) and long-term cancer ($17,401).

As Australia’s population continues to age, health authorities and research organisations project that the overall number of people affected by neurodegenerative conditions is likely to increase.

This is particularly true of dementia and Parkinson’s, where age-related risk rises steeply.

Early diagnosis, advances in therapies and ongoing research are critical in addressing this trend, improving quality of life for individuals and reducing the healthcare burden.

Our commitment to neurodegenerative disease research

Many neurodegenerative diseases are still incurable, but research is changing lives. Advances in early detection, symptom management and treatment pathways are helping people live better for longer.

New opportunities for progress are being created where none existed before.

That’s why The Hospital Research Foundation Group is expanding its focus on neurodegenerative disease research to drive these advances forward. By funding innovative, patient-centred research, we support work that:

• improves care,
• deepens understanding of disease,
• delivers practical benefits for people and families affected.

People like you play a vital role in making this progress possible. 

Your generosity can continue funding research that improves quality of life today while accelerating discoveries that could change the future for millions. Together, we can be part of the solution to neurodegenerative disease.

Advancing breakthrough research

Through the support of generous Australians like you, The Hospital Research Foundation Group is at the forefront of research into neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, dementia and MND.

Dr Blagojce Jovcevski at the University of Adelaide is excited to be learning about the complex inter-relationships between gut health and brain health, which he calls the “gut-brain axis”.

“An imbalance of protein function in the gut is increasingly thought to drive the progression of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease,” Dr Jovcevski says.

“Our research aims to understand the protein mechanisms that fail in the gut-brain axis that drives neurodegeneration.

“This information will then help us to better understand how these diseases originate and progress, which can then inform new biomarkers for diagnosis and even prevention.”

This research has major implications for the detection and treatment of many neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia, Parkinson’s, MND, and more.

Learn more about his research.

You can improve symptom management research

Your support can help to fund research that increases understanding of neurodegenerative disease symptoms and the underlying causes, providing opportunity to develop better treatments.

This pioneering research can contribute to real improvements in daily life for people like Jess, who is living with Young Onset Parkinson’s.

In a collaborative trial, researchers in Adelaide are assessing how exercise or light therapy impacts the non-movement symptoms of Parkinson’s, compared to a placebo.

This kind of donor-funded research focuses on improving symptom management and daily wellbeing beyond the reliance of medications —showing how your support directly contributes to meaningful advances for real people.

Researching prevention and risk reduction

Understanding risk factors is a key part of prevention research. The Hospital Research Foundation Group supports studies such as the ‘My Ideal Day’ project, which helps older adults create a daily routine that helps reduce dementia risk.

This work reflects a growing focus on modifiable factors that influence brain health.

Associate Professor Ashleigh Smith, who leads this research, says: “We are individually supporting older adults to shift their 24-hour time use towards healthier balances of sleep, sedentary behaviour and physical activity, thereby reducing their risk of dementia.”

By emphasising prevention and early intervention, THRF-supported research aims to identify ways people can reduce risk and delay the onset of neurodegenerative disorders, improving quality of life long before symptoms become severe.

How you can get involved

Participate in studies

Clinical trials and research registries are essential to advancing care for neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s, dementia and more.

These studies help scientists test new treatments, refine care approaches and better understand how diseases develop.

Participating in a clinical trial or registry gives eligible patients, carers and healthy volunteers the opportunity to contribute directly to research that could change future outcomes.

Spread awareness

The Hospital Research Foundation Group regularly publishes research updates, stories and news to keep families informed about breakthroughs and how science is shaping better outcomes.

Together, we can build community awareness and advocacy that drives support for life-changing medical research for neurodegenerative diseases.

Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest.

Support research

Play an active role in accelerating research and improving quality of life for individuals and families affected by neurodegenerative disease. Together, we can help turn knowledge into new hope for people facing neurodegenerative illness.

Neurodegenerative diseases affect hundreds of thousands of Australians, and that number is expected to grow as our population ages. Addressing this challenge through medical research is urgent—and progress depends on sustained investment in research and care.

Support from the community enables The Hospital Research Foundation Group to fund vital work, including medical research, clinical trials and improved care pathways that directly benefit people living with neurodegenerative conditions. Donations help researchers test new treatments, refine symptom management approaches and translate discoveries into real-world care.

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FAQs

What are the most common neurodegenerative diseases?

Some neurodegenerative diseases are more common and widespread than others, but all can have a severe and life-changing impact.

Here is a list of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, including:

• Alzheimer’s disease: The most common form of dementia, affecting memory, thinking and behaviour.
• Parkinson’s disease: A progressive condition that primarily affects movement, but can also impact cognition, mood and sleep.
• Motor neurone disease (MND): A rare but rapidly progressing disease that damages the nerves controlling muscle movement, leading to weakness and loss of mobility.
• Huntington’s disease: A genetic condition that causes progressive movement, cognitive and behavioural changes, often beginning in mid-adulthood.
• Multiple system atrophy (MSA): A rare disorder that affects movement, balance and autonomic functions such as blood pressure and bladder control.
• Frontotemporal dementia (FTD): A form of dementia that primarily affects personality, behaviour and language, often occurring at a younger age than Alzheimer’s disease.
• Multiple sclerosis: A chronic disease of the central nervous system in which the immune system damages myelin and nerve fibres, leading to a wide range of physical, cognitive and neurological symptoms.

Together, we can develop better treatments and stronger support for individuals and families affected by neurodegenerative disease.

What are some common neurodegenerative disease symptoms?

The symptoms of neurodegenerative illnesses vary, but many conditions share common physical, cognitive and emotional changes. Understanding neurodegenerative disease symptoms can support earlier diagnosis and better management of the condition.

Movement and physical symptoms

• Muscle weakness or stiffness: Nerve damage can reduce muscle strength and flexibility, making everyday movements more difficult.
• Tremors or shaking: Involuntary movements may occur, particularly in the hands or limbs.
• Slowed movement or difficulty walking: Movement can become slower and less controlled over time.
• Poor balance and coordination: Changes in nerve signalling can increase the risk of falls and injuries.
• Difficulty speaking or swallowing: Muscle control issues may affect speech clarity and safe swallowing.

Cognitive symptoms

• Memory loss or confusion: People may struggle to remember information or feel disoriented.
• Difficulty concentrating or problem-solving: Tasks requiring focus or planning can become challenging.
• Changes in judgement or decision-making: Impaired thinking may affect everyday choices and safety.

Behavioural and emotional symptoms

• Mood changes, depression and anxiety: Emotional wellbeing can be affected as the disease progresses.
• Personality or behaviour changes: Some people experience noticeable changes in behaviour or social interactions.
• Irritability or apathy: Reduced emotional regulation or motivation is common in some conditions.

Other symptoms

• Fatigue: Persistent tiredness can interfere with daily activities and quality of life.
• Sleep disturbances: Difficulty sleeping or changes in sleep patterns are common symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders.
• Loss of independence: As symptoms progress, individuals may require increasing support with daily living.

Unfortunately, symptoms typically worsen over time. Early diagnosis, specialist care and research are critical to improving outcomes and quality of life for people living with neurodegenerative disease.

Causes and risk factors of neurodegenerative disease

Many aspects of the cause of neurodegenerative disease remain unknown. Scientists believe a combination of genetic, environmental and biological factors likely plays a role, and we’re learning more every year. Researchers continue to investigate how these elements interact and contribute to disease onset and progression.

Known and suspected risk factors

These are some of the most commonly identified risk factors for neurodegenerative conditions.

• Genetics: Inherited gene variants can increase risk, particularly in early-onset and familial forms of neurodegenerative conditions.
• Ageing: Getting older is the most common risk factor for many neurodegenerative diseases, with risk increasing significantly with age.
• Environmental exposures: Long-term exposure to certain chemicals, pesticides or viruses has been linked to higher risk, though evidence varies by condition.
• Oxidative stress and cellular damage: Damage at a cellular level from free radicals and metabolic stress may contribute to nerve cell degeneration.

Can neurodegenerative diseases be cured?

At present, most neurodegenerative diseases cannot be cured. This is because they involve progressive damage to nerve cells, and the brain and nervous system are extraordinarily complex and difficult to repair once injured.

While a cure is not yet available, many neurodegenerative diseases are now treatable and manageable. Current neurodegenerative disease treatment focuses on slowing disease progression, managing symptoms and improving quality of life, helping people live well for longer.

Research is key to changing what’s possible. Scientists are working towards earlier diagnosis, new therapies and disease-modifying treatments that address the underlying causes of these conditions, not just the symptoms.

Through donor-funded research, The Hospital Research Foundation Group is supporting studies that improve daily life today while driving breakthroughs for the future.

How are neurodegenerative diseases diagnosed?

The diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease can be complex, as symptoms often overlap across different conditions and may develop gradually over time.

There is no single test, so diagnosis usually involves a combination of assessments.

Research is focused on improving how neurodegenerative diseases are diagnosed, including the development of biomarkers and more accurate diagnostic tools.

The Hospital Research Foundation Group supports research that advances earlier detection and strengthens clinical decision-making. The aim is always to help people receive the right care, sooner.