Insight And Cognitive Decline In Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,600.00
Summary
Australia's population is aging rapidly and so is the frequency of age-related disorders. Dementia is one of the most frequent mental health disorders and one of the leading causes of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. Therefore it is important to be able to identify older adults at high risk of developing dementia in order to be able to introduce preventative strategies. One important risk factor for cognitive decline is the presence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older a ....Australia's population is aging rapidly and so is the frequency of age-related disorders. Dementia is one of the most frequent mental health disorders and one of the leading causes of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. Therefore it is important to be able to identify older adults at high risk of developing dementia in order to be able to introduce preventative strategies. One important risk factor for cognitive decline is the presence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults who complain about memory problems. However many subjects with MCI do not develop dementia and it remains a challenge to identify those with pre-dementia amongst those with MCI. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether reduced awareness of cognitive impairment is a better predictor of cognitive decline and dementia than having memory complaints . To investigate the association of reduced awareness and cognitive decline, 80 participants with MCI and 80 healthy controls will be followed over a period of 24 months. Awareness will be measured and compared to information on cognitive and functional impairment given by the participant and an informant. Additionally, information from neuroimaging and laboratory studies will be collected to determine it's interaction with reduced awareness.Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of Rehabilitation Strategies For Prospective Memory In Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$213,950.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from motor vehicle accidents and other mishaps is a leading cause of death and disability in young adults. Memory problems is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms reported by people with TBI. Traditionally, the treatment of memory problems has focussed on retrospective memory or the ability to recall or recognise previously learned information (e.g., remembering the name of a person, recalling the content of yesterday's news stories). Little res ....Traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from motor vehicle accidents and other mishaps is a leading cause of death and disability in young adults. Memory problems is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms reported by people with TBI. Traditionally, the treatment of memory problems has focussed on retrospective memory or the ability to recall or recognise previously learned information (e.g., remembering the name of a person, recalling the content of yesterday's news stories). Little research has been conducted on problems with another type of memory called prospective memory or the ability to remember to do something in the future (e.g., remembering to attend an appointment, remembering to pay a bill before its due date). The treatment of prospective memory problems in people with TBI is, however, very important for assisting them to return to work and successful integration into the community. This is because the ability to remember to do things at the right time is essential for work and for independent living. In addition, failure to treat this type of problems can be risky or even life threatening (e.g., forgetting to take medication, forgetting to turn off an electrical appliance). This project aims to evaluate the independent and combined effectiveness of two rehabilitation strategies, namely, promoting awareness of memory problems and adopting compensatory strategies. In addition, this project aims to gauge whether a better management of prospective memory problem will lead to better functioning in the community.Read moreRead less
An Analysis Of Blood Awareness For The Purposes Of Hepatitis C Prevention Education And Health Promotion.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,113.00
Summary
This project will make a direct and major contribution to Hepatitis C prevention by addressing the need for blood awareness in prevention education. The need for measures to prevent the spread of HCV is based on the clinical implications of infection combined with its current prevalence and predicted spread within Australia. More than 200,000 Australians are estimated to be living with hepatitis C infection. Around 11,000 new HCV infections per year are estimated to occur across the Australia. H ....This project will make a direct and major contribution to Hepatitis C prevention by addressing the need for blood awareness in prevention education. The need for measures to prevent the spread of HCV is based on the clinical implications of infection combined with its current prevalence and predicted spread within Australia. More than 200,000 Australians are estimated to be living with hepatitis C infection. Around 11,000 new HCV infections per year are estimated to occur across the Australia. HCV is spread through blood to blood exposure. In the absence of effective medical treatment for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) education about modes of transmission presents as the most viable means of containing the spread of the virus. The promotion of blood awareness has been identified as a key strategy for such education as it may ensure greater care on the part of the general community in the prevention of blood exposures. However, the development of a heightened awareness of blood as a source of infection is fraught with social and health implications. A crucial concern for those directly involved in promoting blood awareness is the need to ensure that such a strategy does not contribute to the already existing stigmatisation of those living with HCV or, more generally, promote irrational phobias about blood. Findings of the research will assist in the development of public health education campaigns to prevent the spread of HCV. It will also contribute to education prevention for other blood borne communicable diseases including HIV and other viral hepatitides. Further, it will provide a model of inquiry for developing health promotion programs seeking blood, semen, organ and tissue donation.Read moreRead less