Glucose facilitation of cognitive function: Effects of effort, age and glucose control. Age-related decline in mental capacity contributes to the economic (estimated at over 2 trillion AUD by 2050), social and human costs of an increasingly older Australian population. The studies in this program aim to understand the role of poor control of blood glucose in age-related cognitive deficits. The role of individual differences in biological (hormonal responses) and psychological (stress and appetit ....Glucose facilitation of cognitive function: Effects of effort, age and glucose control. Age-related decline in mental capacity contributes to the economic (estimated at over 2 trillion AUD by 2050), social and human costs of an increasingly older Australian population. The studies in this program aim to understand the role of poor control of blood glucose in age-related cognitive deficits. The role of individual differences in biological (hormonal responses) and psychological (stress and appetite) factors will also be assessed. A better understanding of the nature of age-related cognitive decline as it relates to biological processes such as blood glucose control will help to develop tangible strategies to combat age-related cognitive decline and dementia (which has been described as Type 3 diabetes).Read moreRead less
Environmental impact on neuroendocrine and neurobiological mechanisms: treatment strategies and mimetics for maintaining good health. The current societal climate of industrialized countries such as Australia has shifted considerable over recent decades and is now one which is highly conducive to overfeeding and reduced physical activity. As a result, the incidence of obesity has risen markedly along with an associated increase in obesity-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, ....Environmental impact on neuroendocrine and neurobiological mechanisms: treatment strategies and mimetics for maintaining good health. The current societal climate of industrialized countries such as Australia has shifted considerable over recent decades and is now one which is highly conducive to overfeeding and reduced physical activity. As a result, the incidence of obesity has risen markedly along with an associated increase in obesity-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, obstructive pulmonary disease, type II diabetes, and many types of cancers. Less is known about the psychological and behavioural sequelae of this overfeeding. Calorie restriction mimetics may not only act as a preventative intervention to help reduce the incidence and severity of these major health problems, but also impact on social behaviour.Read moreRead less