Does Vitamin D Supplementation Reduce Cognitive Decline?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$646,601.00
Summary
Australia's population is ageing rapidly and so is the frequency of age-related disorders. Dementia is one of the most frequent mental health disorders of older people and one of the leading causes of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in old age is considered an important clinical state predictive of future cognitive decline. There is increasing evidence that the onset of dementia can be delayed with targeting potentially modifiable risk factors. ....Australia's population is ageing rapidly and so is the frequency of age-related disorders. Dementia is one of the most frequent mental health disorders of older people and one of the leading causes of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in old age is considered an important clinical state predictive of future cognitive decline. There is increasing evidence that the onset of dementia can be delayed with targeting potentially modifiable risk factors. Vitamin D is important for healthy bones and muscle function, but is now also discussed as being important for healthy brain function. The purpose of this randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial is to investigate whether supplementation with vitamin D for 18 months in older adults with MCI who have low vitamin D levels, can help to reduce cognitive decline. 110 older adults with MCI will be randomised (by chance, like the flip of a coin) to either active treatment or placebo. Their cognition (such as memory) performance, quality of life and functional level will be compared at 6, 12, and 18 months. If our hypothesis is confirmed, vitamin D supplementation might prove to be a simple, effective and inexpensive way of delaying cognitive decline in people at risk for dementia. This could lead to the reconsideration of current sun exposure policies in Australia and the more widespread use of food fortification and supplementation.Read moreRead less
Improving Quality Of Life Of People With Dementia Living In Residential Care Facilities A Randomised Trail Of Educat Int
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$777,409.00
Summary
The DIRECT study aims to determine if education of General Practitioners (GPs) and Residential Care Staff can improve the quality of life (QOL) of people with dementia living in Residential Care Facilities (RCF). Our hypothesis is that a systematic educational intervention delivered to GPs and RCF staff will improve care delivery, leading to measurable improvements in the quality of life of residential care recipients. We hypothesise that education delivered to GPs will have additive effects to ....The DIRECT study aims to determine if education of General Practitioners (GPs) and Residential Care Staff can improve the quality of life (QOL) of people with dementia living in Residential Care Facilities (RCF). Our hypothesis is that a systematic educational intervention delivered to GPs and RCF staff will improve care delivery, leading to measurable improvements in the quality of life of residential care recipients. We hypothesise that education delivered to GPs will have additive effects to education delivered to RCF staff. Dementia is the leading cause of non-fatal disease burden among older Australians. Of people with dementia, nearly half live in RCF. There appears to be much scope to improve care, and thus QOL, for people with dementia living in residential facilities. However, the most effective way to translate knowledge regarding the components of high quality care into practice is uncertain and there is a paucity of Australian data to guide practice. Education of RCF staff is likely to be the cornerstone of improved care for recipients of residential care who have dementia. GPs also play a key-role in the care of older people living in RCF, including collaboration in the development of management plans, prescription of medications and initiation of health referrals. A detailed action research process with data collected from surveys, focus groups and pilots will be used to develop educational programmes for delivery to GPs and RCF staff. The primary outcome of the study will be quality of life of the people with dementia, assessed by themselves, their family carers and the staff looking after them. Several tools incorporating different sources of information will be used to assess QOL in a comprehensive fashion. Secondary outcomes will include knowledge among GPs and RCF staff regarding dementia, markers of quality care, participants’ sleep quality, and carer satisfaction. It is anticipated that the results will fill this current gap in evidence and will be of value to policy makers and stakeholders from the Residential Care Industry and Peak Community and General Practice bodies. The study results will have tangible implications for proprietors, managers and staff from the residential care sector and policy makers. The results have potential to directly benefit the quality of life of both patients and carers.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Clinical Trial Of Cognitive Activity For Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$490,127.00
Summary
Australia’s population is ageing rapidly and so is the frequency of age-related disorders. Dementia is one of the most frequent mental health disorders of older people and one of the leading causes of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in old age is considered an important clinical state potentially predictive of future cognitive decline. There is increasing evidence that the onset of dementia can be delayed with targeting potentially modifiable ri ....Australia’s population is ageing rapidly and so is the frequency of age-related disorders. Dementia is one of the most frequent mental health disorders of older people and one of the leading causes of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in old age is considered an important clinical state potentially predictive of future cognitive decline. There is increasing evidence that the onset of dementia can be delayed with targeting potentially modifiable risk factors. In older adults, frequent participation in mentally stimulating leisure activities has been associated with stronger cognitive (abilities such as memory) performances and reduced risk of dementia. Further, the rate of cognitive and functional decline can be influenced by cognitive intervention strategies, though few randomised control studies have explored these findings with individuals who have a diagnosis of MCI. The primary focus of this research is to determine whether a structured program of cognitive activity (CA) can delay progression of cognitive decline amongst older adults with MCI. 160 older adults will be randomised (by chance, like the flip of a coin) to either a 10 week CA intervention with a focus on cognitive training and rehabilitation techniques or a 10 week control educational intervention providing information on aging and retirement. Their cognitive performance, quality of life and functional level will be monitored during follow-up. The proposed study will improve the understanding of possible modifying factors of cognition and highlight the potential of intervention in an older age population. The obtained results will have implications for policy recommendations regarding health care resources and facilitate changes in the approach and management of individuals with MCI.Read moreRead less
Osteoporosis is a common condition in which bone strength is reduced due to reduced amount and quality of bone. Reduced bone strength means an increased risk of fracture. Osteoporotic fractures occur in 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men in their lifetime, and the likelihood of suffering osteoporotic fracture increases with age. Most of the risk of developing osteoporosis is genetic, but few of the genes involved have been identified. Our goal is to identify those genes. We will complete recruitment an ....Osteoporosis is a common condition in which bone strength is reduced due to reduced amount and quality of bone. Reduced bone strength means an increased risk of fracture. Osteoporotic fractures occur in 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men in their lifetime, and the likelihood of suffering osteoporotic fracture increases with age. Most of the risk of developing osteoporosis is genetic, but few of the genes involved have been identified. Our goal is to identify those genes. We will complete recruitment and assessment of a cohort of 1500 postmenopausal women with either low or high bone mineral density from pre-existing population cohorts in Australia. A genomewide association study will then be performed on these cases. Associated genes in different datasets will then be investigated further in our cohort, and high-density SNP mapping performed to identify true associated variants. These studies should identify most genetic variants associated with BMD variation and low trauma fracture in the general community, allowing development of diagnostic-disease predictive genetic tests, and informing development of novel therapeutic agents for osteoporosis.Read moreRead less