Cognitive Function And Fatigue In Cancer Patients After Chemotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$246,412.00
Summary
Many patients complain of tiredness after chemotherapy and some experience problems with memory, concentration, thinking and other aspects of mental function. Studies have confirmed that some women with breast cancer suffer these effects after chemotherapy and that they can last a long time. Although generally subtle they can affect quality of life and ability to function. Little is known about the causes of these side-effects. Possible causes include blood clotting in small vessels of the brain ....Many patients complain of tiredness after chemotherapy and some experience problems with memory, concentration, thinking and other aspects of mental function. Studies have confirmed that some women with breast cancer suffer these effects after chemotherapy and that they can last a long time. Although generally subtle they can affect quality of life and ability to function. Little is known about the causes of these side-effects. Possible causes include blood clotting in small vessels of the brain and release of molecules called cytokines, as a result of chemotherapy. Hormonal changes and induced menopause might also contribute to these effects in women. Here we propose to evaluate men and women who either receive chemotherapy to prevent recurrence of colorectal cancer, or who are followed without such treatment after surgery. Patients will complete a questionnaire that assesses their level of fatigue and participate in tests of mental functioning, before, during and at intervals after treatment. Possible causes of fatigue and cognitive problems will be studied by measuring products in the blod that indicate blood clotting, levels of cytokine molecules that might cause these symptoms and levels of sex hormones in both men and women. This may lead to further studies to help reduce the burden of fatigue and cognitive impairment from chemotherapy. The goals of our study are to provide comphrehensive information about important side-effects of cancer treatment and to examine the mechanisms that may cause them. This information is important for supporting people living with cancer and for subsequent research to develop interventions that will promote healthy lifestyles during and after treatment for cancer.Read moreRead less
Optimising Exercise Prescription For Brain Health In Older Adults At Risk Of Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,123.00
Summary
To reduce dementia burdens in the community, cost effective and targeted early regenerative strategies are critical. Engaging in frequent aerobic exercise is one strategy that can delay the onset and slow the progression of dementia. However, prescription is limited by an incomplete understanding of how exercise positively influences brain health. Here I will investigate the influence of current exercise levels, intensity and exercise environment on brain health in adults at risk of dementia.
Do Ongoing Cognitive Demands Affect The Efficacy Of Transcranial Electrical Brain Stimulation In Young And Older Healthy Adults?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$627,857.00
Summary
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the brain is widely used to enhance cognitive and motor function in healthy individuals and people with neurological disorders. Unfortunately, the efficacy of tDCS is highly variable between individuals. This project tests the hypothesis that ongoing cognitive processes – particularly attention – play an important role in regulating the effect of tDCS on brain function. The knowledge gained will help refine tDCS as a clinical and research tool.
Cognitive Outcome And Therapeutic Interventions For Coronary Artery Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,104.00
Summary
Dementia is recognized as an increasingly important factor affecting quality of life as people age. Deaths from heart disease are declining, in part due to improved surgical techniques and to the use of less invasive methods to keep arteries open such as coronary stenting. It is now well known that 20 to 60% of patients experience some degree of impairment in thinking ability (cognitive impairment) after cardiac surgery, that this will persist in some of these individuals for years and may incre ....Dementia is recognized as an increasingly important factor affecting quality of life as people age. Deaths from heart disease are declining, in part due to improved surgical techniques and to the use of less invasive methods to keep arteries open such as coronary stenting. It is now well known that 20 to 60% of patients experience some degree of impairment in thinking ability (cognitive impairment) after cardiac surgery, that this will persist in some of these individuals for years and may increase the risk of long-term problems. Cognitive impairment affects people in many ways. While it is not yet known whether the occurrence of cognitive impairment predisposes to dementia, it is thought that Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) may do so. We propose to explore the link between MCI and Post Procedural Cognitive Deficit (PPCD) in patients with coronary disease from before the first point of objective diagnosis, i.e. prior to the coronary angiogram, and over a 12-month period, through and subsequent to further treatment interventions such as stenting or cardiac surgery. Our Pilot data suggest that PPCD does indeed occur after angiography, and we propose to identify how long this lasts, whether MCI predisposes to it and whether it is better to wait until it resolves before further interventions are undertaken. In this way we hope to identify the safest treatment strategy for patients with coronary disease that will minimize the occurrence of Cognitive Deficit and possibly longer-term cognitive changes after investigation and treatment for their symptoms.Read moreRead less
Nicotine abuse is the single greatest preventable risk factor for physical illness and death in Australians. Our understanding of the neural and cognitive mechanisms that underlie the transition from use to dependence is yet to be understood. The current proposal investigates the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive control, critical to self-control over the impulse for drug rewards, in non-dependent and dependent nicotine users.
The ability to monitor one's cognitive performance deteriorates with normal ageing, and is particularly affected in a range of clinical conditions of older age, such as Parkinson's Disease, where it is a predictor of a poor prognostic outcome. This project aims to clarify the effects of age on cognitive and neural processes underlying performance monitoring, as an important first step to improving interventions for age-related impairments, including those accompanying neurodegenerative diseases.
THE DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF DEMENTIA IN GENERAL PRACTICE.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$499,977.00
Summary
This research aims to examine a new method and practice guidelines for detection of early dementia. General practitioners will be screened on their ability to diagnose and manage dementia and to distinguish it from other diseases. Patient outcomes - including quality of life, depression, and satisfaction with care and referral indicators - will be examined.