The SNORE-ASA Study: A Study Of Neurocognitive Outcomes, Radiological And Retinal Effects Of Aspirin In Sleep Apnoea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$886,692.00
Summary
Sleep apnoea is very common in the elderly, but it is uncertain whether it leads to a decline in mental abilities as it can in the middle-aged. Apart from fatigue, sleep apnoea also causes mental decline by affecting brain blood supply. This may be preventable with aspirin. We will track 3,000 healthy elderly for 4 years, after testing for sleep apnoea. Half will take aspirin. We predict that mental ability will decline faster with sleep apnoea, and that aspirin will partly reverse this.
Obesity In The Elderly: Effect Of Exercise And Weight Loss Therapies On Physiology And Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,729.00
Summary
The population is ageing and the prevalence of obesity is increasing. The “Baby Boomer” generation has the highest prevalence of obesity of all age groups, hence increasing numbers of older adults (age over 65) are obese, and this is unprecedented. We know that obesity predisposes to loss of physical function and independence in older adults, and may increase the risk of dementia. Our trial will compare multiple treatments for obesity in older persons, including newer treatments.
Lifestyle (LIFE) Versus Structured Balance And Strength Training To Reduce Falls In The Elderly: A Randomized Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$650,968.00
Summary
Thirty to thirty five percent of persons who are 70 or older fall each year. The magnitude of problems as a result of falling is reflected by the fact that the costs of fall injuries of the elderly to the health system is already more than double that of road injury. It is estimated that these costs will rise substantially and alarmingly in the next 30 to 50 years if we cannot find effective and sustainable ways to make an impact on the incidence of falls in older people. The aim of this project ....Thirty to thirty five percent of persons who are 70 or older fall each year. The magnitude of problems as a result of falling is reflected by the fact that the costs of fall injuries of the elderly to the health system is already more than double that of road injury. It is estimated that these costs will rise substantially and alarmingly in the next 30 to 50 years if we cannot find effective and sustainable ways to make an impact on the incidence of falls in older people. The aim of this project is to improve the capacity of people living at home to avoid falls. The project will evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated lifestyle approach to balance and strength exercise (LIFE) and a structured balance and strength exercise program to reducing falls in people who are at high risk . The control group will comprise a gentle flexibility exercise program as this is known to have no effect on reducing falls. In the lifestyle approach (LIFE), older people will be taught how to do balance and strength training and integrate it into their lifestyle so that it is embedded within their daily activity and weekly routines. It is expected that this integrated lifestyle approach to balance and strength training will be effective in reducing falls and will be sustainable over a a one-year period. This study will also determine for which groups of people LIFE is most effective . The research is a three-arm randomized trial that will be conducted with 381 people who are 70 years or over, who have experienced at least two falls in the past year or had an injurious fall. The notion of balance training is not well understood by allied health professionals or older people - a product of this project will be an alternative balance and strength intervention (LIFE) that offers, in a user friendly and simplified manner, a way of operationalizing the principles of balance and strength training for use by older people within their daily lives.Read moreRead less
Congestive Heart Failure: A Longitudinal Study Of Its Impact On Brain Function And Structure In Later Life.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,130.00
Summary
This project aims to clarify the long-term impact of congestive heart failure (CHF) on brain function and structure. CHF is a common complication of most diseases of the heart, with over 30,000 new cases being diagnosed annually in Australia. Of all CHF hospitalisations, 75% are made up of people aged 70 years or over. Consequently, as the Australian population ages, the number of people with CHF is expected to rise sharply. CHF is associated with increased mortality and significant morbidity. I ....This project aims to clarify the long-term impact of congestive heart failure (CHF) on brain function and structure. CHF is a common complication of most diseases of the heart, with over 30,000 new cases being diagnosed annually in Australia. Of all CHF hospitalisations, 75% are made up of people aged 70 years or over. Consequently, as the Australian population ages, the number of people with CHF is expected to rise sharply. CHF is associated with increased mortality and significant morbidity. It also impacts upon quality of life in other ways. The daily life of patients is often limited by the direct effects of CHF, such as exertional dyspnoea, fatigue and weakness; associated medical conditions, such as ischaemic heart disease, hypertension and diabetes, as well as depression and memory impairment. Of note, cognitive impairment is a leading cause of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. This project aims to clarify the factors that contribute to the development of cognitive deficits in people with CHF. Its results should serve as a basis for the development of effective preventative strategies to halt or slow down the development of such deficits. In addition, we expect that the findings of the study will improve our understanding of other common disorders associated with cognitive decline in later life, such as Alzheimer's disease.Read moreRead less