MATHEW STAIOS Neuropsychological Research

AHEPA VICTORIA, as an officially recognized Charity, is raising funds to assist the medical research of a young Neuropsychologist, Mathew STAIOS, with his research to assist with the accurate detection of dementia and other neurological diseases for use of Greek Australian older adults. with

Mathew Staios is a clinical neuropsychologist attached to the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health at Monash University. His doctoral research is focused on developing a range of culturally specific tests to accurately detect dementia and other neurological diseases for use with Greek Australian older adults.

Mathew’s research will benefit the Greek community in Australia by providing culturally appropriate tests to assist with the diagnosis of dementia, treatment options, and care planning.

Donations to this research project will assist with employing research assistants to help with a further collection of data, attendance at international and national research conferences to promote the research and assist in the publication of a clinical book that will be distributed throughout the world with a range of new test developed specifically for Greek-speaking older adults.

Greek Australian older adults represent a significant number of Australia’s aging culturally diverse community who are at risk of developing brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Assessment and diagnosis of brain disorders are arrived at with the use of formal standardized tests that are administered by clinical neuropsychologists. At present, suitable tests for detecting cognitive changes in Greek Australians do not exist. Several research studies have shown that the use of tests that have been developed for Anglo-Australian English-speaking groups underestimates the cognitive function of culturally diverse populations, resulting in misdiagnosis. Misdiagnosis occurs as a result of failing to account for language, culture, and differences in education.

PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY!