A Cognitive And Neuroimaging Study Of Exceptionally Old Individuals: Sydney Centenarian Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$857,197.00
Summary
Australia has an ageing society. Individuals over the age of 95 years are the fastest growing proportion of this population. Many of these individuals retain good cognitive function. The Sydney Centenarian Study will recruit all individuals 95 and over in 7 local government areas in Sydney to assess their brain function to determine which cognitive faculties are more or less affected, and how this relates to changes on brain scans. This will be related to neuropathology.
Computer-assisted Clinical Guidelines For The Management Of Manifestations Of Anxiety, Aggression And Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,032.00
Summary
This project focuses on creating a new approach to integration of clinical guidelines and the development of a computer-assisted tool to support medical reasoning in psychogeriatrics. The primary focus of this research is on helping medical practitioners to better manage dementia patients with symptoms of anxiety, aggression and depression living in nursing homes. It has the potential to fundamentally improve the way guidelines are utilised in clinical practice
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus And Cognitive Decline - A Longitudinal Study Of Effects And Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,317,589.00
Summary
Diabetes mellitus and dementia are major public health problems. Diabetes may increase the risk of dementia. This longitudinal study aims to uncover the mechanism by which diabetes may increase dementia risk. This may lead to finding new ways to prevent or treat diabetes-related dementia and thus reduce the public health burden of dementia.
The Effect Of Foot Massage On Agitation In People Living With Dementia In Residential Care Settings: An RCT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$286,301.00
Summary
This study investigates the effect of a 10-minute foot massage on agitated behaviours of older people living with dementia in residential care settings. The study builds on previous complementary research and provides further evidence to help assess whether foot massage is, indeed, a low cost, low risk, non-pharmacological and easily applied procedure that produces tangible positive psychological and physiological effects.
How Alzheimers-associated Cytoskeletal Inclusions Form Road Blocks And Impair Trafficking In Neurons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$351,181.00
Summary
This research is aimed at delineating basic mechanisms of nerve cell dysfunction relevant to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias with the goal of achieving a positive impact into understanding the causes of these diseases. The outcomes of the project will identify pathways involved in generating pathological changes in nerve cells and will therefore facilitate the development of targeted therapies, ultimately improving the outlook for Alzheimer's patients and the community.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Personalised Goal-directed Activity To Treat Agitation In Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,077.00
Summary
We will test by means of a randomised controlled trial the effectiveness of personalised, goal-directed activities in reducing agitated behaviour in aged care residents with dementia. Evidence suggests that treatments work best when adapted to people's interest, skills and backgrounds. Our activities require no special equipment and there is no need to exclude people with limited language skills. The study will be controlled to ensure that benefits are not due just to social interaction.
Which Mental Activities And When For Dementia Prevention? The Four Nations Longitudinal Collaboration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$183,218.00
Summary
We will examine the link between lifetime participation in complex mental activities and long term dementia risk in a level of detail not previously possible. Four major studies of brain health from around the world will join forces for the first time to determine which mental activities are most closely linked to protection from dementia, and when during the lifespan these are most important. Mental activity will be assessed using our recently published Lifetime of Experiences Questionnaire.
Molecular And Cellular Characterisation Of Schizophrenia Associated Dysfunction In MicroRNA Biogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,205.00
Summary
We have identified substantial changes in the biogenesis of microRNA in schizophrenia. These small non-coding molecules derived from junk DNA, play a significant role in genetic regulation, with each one capable of silencing hundreds of target genes. This has major implications for schizophrenia, which is known to involve substantial changes in gene activity. The project will identify the molecular basis of this alteration in gene silencing, and its biological implications for schizophrenia.
Evaluation Of An Instrument For Management Of Behavioural And Psychological Symptoms Of Dementia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,468.00
Summary
Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) distress the patient and others. The behaviours, and not the underlying causes, are often treated with antipsychotics, despite side effects and low efficacy. An assessment instrument for care staff to determine and address causes of BPSD will be implemented. We predict training will reduce inappropriate prescribing and other reasons for distress. Where medication is required, detailed information will assist more targeted prescribing.