Sleep-wake Disturbances And Cardio-metabolic Dysfunction In At Risk Dementia: A Novel Pathway In Neurocognitive Decline’
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,305.00
Summary
Age-related sleep and circadian disturbance and cardio-metabolic dysfunction are associated with an increased risk of dementia. This research aims to delineate the pathway in which sleep and circadian disturbances and cardio-metabolic dysfunction promote cognitive decline during the ‘at risk’ dementia phase. This will improve our understanding of key processes in cognitive ageing ultimately leading to the development of targeted intervention programs in the quest to delay the onset of dementia.
Establishing The Physiological And Sleep Disruption Characteristics Of Wind Farm Versus Traffic Noise Disturbances In Sleep
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,357,652.00
Summary
Good sleep is essential for normal daytime functioning and health. Wind farm noise includes audible and unusually low frequency sound components, including infrasound, that could potentially disturb sleep through chronic sleep disruption and/or insomnia. This project will, for the first time, directly evaluate the sleep and physiological disturbance characteristics of wind farm noise compared to traffic noise reproduced in a specialised and carefully controlled laboratory environment.
My research will explore the pathophysiological mechanisms that link disturbed sleep and circadian rhythm with cognitive impairment and dementia. I will explore how sleep and circadian disruption in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) impact on body and brain vascular function. I will also explore whether OSA treatment and light therapy in MCI patients can arrest or even improve brain vascular function through improved sleep/circadian function.
Sleep, Plasticity And Neurodegeneration: Targeting Sleep To Improve Cognition In Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$525,116.00
Summary
Older individuals with mild cognitive impairment commonly experience disturbed sleep and about 50% will convert to dementia. It is unclear whether sleep disturbance mediates cognitive decline and progression to dementia. Optimising sleep presents a novel strategy to slow disease progression. This new research program explores links between sleep and dementia to identify new biomarkers of disease progression and new targeted therapeutic approaches to improve quality of life for older Australians.
Novel Assessment And Intervention For Dementia: An Inter-disciplinary Translational Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,021.00
Summary
This program of research focuses on i) a highly novel internationally competitive program of work focusing on the neural network correlates of sleep in dementia, sleep as a risk factor and the efficacy of sleep-wake interventions in reducing cognitive decline; ii) Innovative technologies for widespread screening of preclinical dementia and early intervention and iii) clinical trials focused on the testing of a of novel, highly translatable dementia risk reduction interventions.
Multidimensional Assessment Of The Health Impacts Of Infrasound: Two Randomised Controlled Trials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,943,934.00
Summary
The human health impact of infrasound that comes from wind turbines has not been well researched. We will assemble a team of researchers with a broad range of expertise to run a short term and longer term study to investigate whether exposure to infrasound causes health problems. The short term study will be lab based and run for three one week periods and the longer term study will be community based and run for six months. Sleep quality, balance, mood, cardiovascular health will be measured.
PREVention Of Diabetes Through Lifestyle Intervention And Population Studies In Europe And Around The World
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,281.00
Summary
The PREVIEW Study will identify the most efficient lifestyle pattern for the prevention of type-2 diabetes in a population of pre-diabetic overweight or obese individuals. The project comprises two distinct lines of evidence, an intervention study and population studies. The focus will be on diet (specifically protein and glycemic index) and intensity of physical activity, as well as their interaction with the lifestyle factors, habitual stress, sleeping pattern, behavioural, environmental, cult ....The PREVIEW Study will identify the most efficient lifestyle pattern for the prevention of type-2 diabetes in a population of pre-diabetic overweight or obese individuals. The project comprises two distinct lines of evidence, an intervention study and population studies. The focus will be on diet (specifically protein and glycemic index) and intensity of physical activity, as well as their interaction with the lifestyle factors, habitual stress, sleeping pattern, behavioural, environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic variables.Read moreRead less
Neuroimaging Insights Into Sleep-wake Dysfunction In Older Adults 'at Risk' Of Developing Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$548,235.00
Summary
This program of research aims to investigate the biological mechanisms underlying the relationship between sleep dysfunction and dementia. I aim to apply my magnetic resonance imaging expertise and experience working with individuals ‘at risk’ of dementia and further develop my emerging skills in sleep research, to improve our understanding of this fundamental relationship and investigate the effect of targeted interventions and longitudinal clinical outcomes in ‘at risk’ older adults.
Long-term Outcome Of Individuals Who Had A First-episode Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,344,905.00
Summary
The long-term illness course and outcomes of patients treated for first episode psychosis are poorly understood especially in terms of important domains such as social and vocational functioning, physical health, and quality of life. This treated cohort study of a sample of 786 patients, 15 years after their first episode of psychosis will be one of the longest and largest conducted to date. Results of the study will inform clinical practice and policy development.
The Role Of The Neuronal Epigenome In Natural Brain Ageing And The Progression Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$584,644.00
Summary
Most cases of Alzheimer's disease are sporadic or late onset, with only ~5% of cases being familial, suggesting a potential role for epigenetics. This project aims to profile the human brain epigenome throughout normal ageing and in Alzheimer's disease so we can determine how disturbed epigenetic states may affect brain function. This research will provide new insights into the role of the epigenome in Alzheimer's disease, enabling crucial advances in understanding its origins.