Vascular Mechanisms Of Neurodegeneration: Drivers And Determinants Of Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,421,722.00
Summary
The evidence is compelling: vascular burden is the greatest determinant of late life cognition. The volume of evidence linking vascular risk and dementia is conclusive. All late-onset dementia syndromes, especially Alzheimer’s disease, are driven or exacerbated by vascular brain burden. We aim to examine how vascular burden causes dementia. Understanding the mechanisms means that we can prevent and treat the global epidemic of dementia.
Vascular Contributions To Dementia: Prevention In Those At High-risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$718,105.00
Summary
10,000 older adults undergo surgeries on their heart every year. These adults are at high risk for dementia, as the factors that bring them to cardiovascular surgery are the same as those that associate with dementia: hypertension, type II diabetes, etc. This population is in fact not only at increased risk of dementia due to vascular ill-health, but also because of undergoing the surgery itself. This project aims to prevent dementia in this vulnerable group.
Vascular Cognitive Risk Score: Quantifying The Vascular Burden In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$627,180.00
Summary
What causes dementia in a patient presenting to a clinic is often uncertain. While there are exciting potential treatments in the pipeline, we need to understand the cause of the disease in a specific patient to make correct treatment decisions. Stroke and other vascular diseases of the brain cause a significant proportion of dementia in the community. Using MRI scanning technology, this project will quantify this burden in a given patient by developing a ‘vascular cognitive risk' (VCR) score.
An Extended Follow-up Of Stroke Patients For Cognitive Impairment And Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Sydney Stroke Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,800.00
Summary
Vascular Dementia (VaD) is the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. In fact, it may be a preventable cause of dementia. Yet it has been relatively neglected by researchers until the last decade, which has seen an upsurge of interest in this disorder. There is no consensus on the criteria for dementia. The profile of early cognitive impairment due to vascular factors is still poorly understood, and the longitudinal course of VaD as defined by modern criteria has not bee ....Vascular Dementia (VaD) is the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. In fact, it may be a preventable cause of dementia. Yet it has been relatively neglected by researchers until the last decade, which has seen an upsurge of interest in this disorder. There is no consensus on the criteria for dementia. The profile of early cognitive impairment due to vascular factors is still poorly understood, and the longitudinal course of VaD as defined by modern criteria has not been studied. There have been few studies of the progressive changes in MRI in patients with cerebrovascular disease. The overlap of VaD and Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains a problem for taxonomists and clinicians. One approach to the study of VaD is to examine a high risk group of subjects longitudinally to determine the early features, the risk factors and progressive changes. With this in mind, we began studying a cohort of stroke patients who are at high risk of VaD, in 1997-1999, and are following them longitudinally. The follow-up is now in its third year, and three neuropsychological assessments and two MRI-MRS scans have been performed. We propose to extend the follow-up to 5 years, with repeat neuropsychiatric, neuropsychological and MRI-MRS investigations, and wherever possible to necropsy, to determine the nature of vascular pathology that underlies cognitive impairment. Our cohort of stroke patients is arguably the most comprehensively assessed such cohorts internationally, and presents an excellent opportunity for a long-term follow-up study.Read moreRead less
Non-Alzheimer Dementia: Pathogenesis And Clinicopathological Correlations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,036.00
Summary
Dementia affects as many as 20% of people in their eighties. Although much of this is caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD), other types of dementia are also important. In this study we will look at two types of non-Alzheimer dementia, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and small vessel cerebrovascular disease (SVD). The clinical symptoms of SVD closely resemble AD. Conversely, FTD results in degeneration of those parts of the brain which are responsible for personality, behaviour and language. We will ....Dementia affects as many as 20% of people in their eighties. Although much of this is caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD), other types of dementia are also important. In this study we will look at two types of non-Alzheimer dementia, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and small vessel cerebrovascular disease (SVD). The clinical symptoms of SVD closely resemble AD. Conversely, FTD results in degeneration of those parts of the brain which are responsible for personality, behaviour and language. We will look at the brains of patients who have died with these diseases and determine the types of neurons which are damaged and their distribution in the brain. We will also investigate whether an individual's genetic make-up influences the development of SVD. In addition, in collaboration with neuropathologists across Australia, we will develop and standardise criteria for the pathological diagnosis of these diseases. Overall, this study will better characterise the pathology of two commonly encountered non-AD dementias and provide valuable insights into their causes.Read moreRead less
Vascular Contributions To Dementia (VCD-CRE) - A Transformative Approach To Reducing The Burden Of Cognitive Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,000,000.00
Summary
The total contribution of vascular pathology to dementia is estimated to be as high as 50-70%. The Vascular Contributions to Dementia CRE brings together leading researchers in cerebrovascular disease and dementia to address the most important issues relating to the epidemiology of Vascular Dementia, its robust biomarkers and its treatment and prevention, so as to reduce its overall health burden, and meet the promise of vascular dementia as a truly 'preventable dementia''.
Smoking Cessation And The Risk Of Cognitive Decline In Older Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$366,250.00
Summary
Dementia is one of the most relevant health issues at the turn of the millennium, and the identification of modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD) is essential for the successful introduction of effective preventative strategies. The results of recent studies indicate that smoking increases the risk of cognitive decline, as well as the risk of AD and VD. These findings raise the possibility that cessation of smoking may reduce cognitive impairment in late ....Dementia is one of the most relevant health issues at the turn of the millennium, and the identification of modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD) is essential for the successful introduction of effective preventative strategies. The results of recent studies indicate that smoking increases the risk of cognitive decline, as well as the risk of AD and VD. These findings raise the possibility that cessation of smoking may reduce cognitive impairment in later life and the risk of both AD and VD. Through the Perth Elderly Cohort Study (PECS), which involves a community-representative sample of 12203 men aged 65-83 years, we have a unique opportunity to investigate the effects of smoking and smoking cessation on the cognitive abilities of a large sample of older men at risk for cognitive decline. Clearly, evidence from an experimental study that smoking cessation is followed by a reduction in risk of cognitive decline would greatly strengthen the argument that smoking is truly a cause of cognitive impairment.Read moreRead less
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND DEMENTIA IN A STROKE COHORT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,747.00
Summary
In a current NHMRC-funded study, we have examined 200 stroke patients (and 100 control subjects) at 3 months after a stroke and one year later, and identified those who have impairment in memory and other cognitive functions. We have also studied these subjects in detail from a psychiatric perspective and performed brain scans on them using magentic resonance imaging. We find that many stroke patients have problems with their cognitive functioning which has a major impact on their lives. A large ....In a current NHMRC-funded study, we have examined 200 stroke patients (and 100 control subjects) at 3 months after a stroke and one year later, and identified those who have impairment in memory and other cognitive functions. We have also studied these subjects in detail from a psychiatric perspective and performed brain scans on them using magentic resonance imaging. We find that many stroke patients have problems with their cognitive functioning which has a major impact on their lives. A large number also become depressed. These consequences of stroke are not given sufficient importance by clinicians. The fact that stroke is a common problem in the elderly, and our society is aging, makes this a problem of major public health significance. In the new proposal, we plan to study these subjects up to 3 years with repeat neuropsychiatric assessments and brain scans to investigate the natural history of stroke-related cognitive impairment. We will determine whether further new cases of dementia develop in the period 1-3 years, what happens to the brain lesions picked up on brain scans, and how these deficiencies affect the patients' living status and their longevity. We will be able to determine the factors that lead to a good outcome, and suggest strategies that may be applicable to improve the functioning of these individuals.Read moreRead less
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.