An Investigation Into The Mechanisms Of How Dietary Fats Influence Alzheimers Disease Risk.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,789.00
Summary
There is some evidence to suggest that diet may influence the risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease. This project will explore if dietary fats that are 'bad-for-the-heart', are also 'bad-for-the-head'. Conversely, these researchers will test whether heart-healthy-oils are brain-healthy. The researchers will investigate the mechanisms by which dietary fats influence risk and hope to be able to develop nutritional guidelines for the prevention or slowing of Alzheimer's Disease.
The Role Of Sarcopenia And Undernutrition In Disability After Hip Fracture
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$315,391.00
Summary
Hip fracture is one of the most costly and devastating medical events which can befall an elderly individual, and is expected to affect 40,000 Australians per year by the year 2040. It often results in permanent loss of walking abilities and independence, as well as a severely diminished quality of life. For example, 80% of elderly Australians who fracture their hip will not regain their previous level of walking ability, 20% will have died, and up to 25% will be in permanent nursing home reside ....Hip fracture is one of the most costly and devastating medical events which can befall an elderly individual, and is expected to affect 40,000 Australians per year by the year 2040. It often results in permanent loss of walking abilities and independence, as well as a severely diminished quality of life. For example, 80% of elderly Australians who fracture their hip will not regain their previous level of walking ability, 20% will have died, and up to 25% will be in permanent nursing home residence 12 months later. Although hip fracture has been thought of as a problem primarily related to osteoporosis (age-related loss of bone), it is now increasingly clear that other factors such as muscle wasting and weakness, gait and balance problems and poor dietary intake are also risk factors for this condition. Although surgical techniques have advanced to the point that most operations to repair hip fracture are now successful, the rehabilitation outcomes are disappointingly poor compared to other orthopaedic injuries. We believe that this is because recovery after hip fracture is in fact not primarily related to the bone disease itself, but to inadequate muscle bulk and strength. It is likely that already frail patients with a new hip fracture will experience further muscle wasting over time, because of their very low levels of physical activity, poor nutritional intake, depression, social isolation, and impaired memory in some cases. Their poor diet may be related in part to their difficulty in getting out of the home, preparing meals, reduced appetite and poor morale in the post-fracture period. If our theory is correct, then we will be able to prove that disability after hip fracture is closely related to muscle mass, and many common clinical problems contribute to this underlying mechanism of dysfunction. We will test these ideas by following patients who have had a hip fracture for 12 months with periodic detailed assessmentsRead moreRead less