Oscars 2015: Julianne Moore wins best actress for Still Alice

Julianne Moore won best actress (Getty Images)

Julianne Moore won the best actress Oscar on Sunday for her role as a university professor with Alzheimer's disease in Still Alice.

The win is the veteran actress's first Academy Award after being nominated four times previously. The 54-year-old was favored to win this year's prize after picking up Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA awards earlier this year

Her performance was someone trying, desperately to retain their personality and their dignity as her faculties start to fade, had been widely praised and her win had been anticipated by many.

"I'm so happy, I'm thrilled that we were able to shine a light on Alzheimer's disease," Moore said. "So many people who have this disease feel marginalised. People who have Alzheimer's disease deserve to be seen so we can find a cure."

Oscars 2015 live blog
Oscars 2015: Winners list in full
The best Oscars acceptance speeches of all time

Moore did four months of research for her role, talking to women with the disease and doctors, and she visited a long-term care facility.

"I like stories about real people and real relationships and real families," she said backstage. "This movie had all of those things in it. It's about a real issue and relationships and who we love and what we value."