The Effect Of Chronic Intermittent Alcohol Consumption On The Precipitation Of Dementia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,644.00
Summary
This proposal examines the relationship between chronic alcohol intake and alcohol-related dementia, and potential interventions for the treatment of alcohol related dementia.
Communicating Health: Optimising Engagement And Retention Using Social Media
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$950,060.00
Summary
In order to impact on health, young people need to be engaged and retained in health interventions. The application of social media to engage, retain and promote health behaviour change in this target group has enormous potential but is poorly researched. This project will engage young people of all incomes and education from across Australia and assess their attitudes and behaviours and determine most effective social media content and delivery to optimise engagement and retention.
An Investigation Into The Neural Substrates Of Cognitive Deficits In Mild Cognitive Impairment, And The Mechanisms Of Action Of A Novel Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$574,644.00
Summary
Furthering our understanding of the brain mechanisms that underlie the deficits in memory, executive function, and language that occur with Mild Cognitive Impairment is vital for conceptualising the underlying disease processes, and for the development of targeted treatments. Hence, this project will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the brain’s electrical and metabolic responses during specialised cognitive tasks, whilst simultaneously investigating a possible treatment.
Optimising Exercise Prescription For Brain Health In Older Adults At Risk Of Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,123.00
Summary
To reduce dementia burdens in the community, cost effective and targeted early regenerative strategies are critical. Engaging in frequent aerobic exercise is one strategy that can delay the onset and slow the progression of dementia. However, prescription is limited by an incomplete understanding of how exercise positively influences brain health. Here I will investigate the influence of current exercise levels, intensity and exercise environment on brain health in adults at risk of dementia.
Cross-comparison, Validation And Performance Of Computerised Neuropsychological Assessment Devices In The Evaluation Of Mild Cognitive Impairment And Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,482.00
Summary
With an ageing population and associated increase in dementia there will be increased demand for neuropsychological assessment, with insufficient trained personnel and resources to meet this demand. Computerised tests offer excellent opportunities for large scale implementation of cognitive screening and monitoring of older adults. This is the first study to systematically evaluate and compare several popular computerised neuropsychological assessment devices in elders with and without dementia.
Men, Women And Ageing: Predictors Of Ageing Well In The Australian Longitudinal Study On Womens Health And The Perth He
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,935,634.00
Summary
Maintaining health and independent living are high priorities for Australia’s rapidly expanding older population. This project capitalizes on two existing large-scale studies, to increase our scientific understanding of strategies for maintaining the health and wellbeing of older people living in the community. Two separate longitudinal research projects, the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health involving over 12,000 older women selected from every part of Australia, and the Health in ....Maintaining health and independent living are high priorities for Australia’s rapidly expanding older population. This project capitalizes on two existing large-scale studies, to increase our scientific understanding of strategies for maintaining the health and wellbeing of older people living in the community. Two separate longitudinal research projects, the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health involving over 12,000 older women selected from every part of Australia, and the Health in Men Study involving over 12,000 older men from Perth, Western Australia, have been following older Australians in order to determine what contributes to older people’s health and quality of life. The new project will combine data from these two studies. The two projects contain a breadth of data and can address the following questions: What health-related, personal, lifestyle and social factors predict survival and healthy non-disabled life in men and women aged 70-90 years? Do changes in lifestyle in older age (eg smoking cessation) affect length and quality of life? Who makes greatest use of health services, and who least, and how does this relate to health outcomes?How are health and lifestyle factors related to social connectedness and independent living in older age? What health and lifestyle factors predict positive mental health in older age? How are older men’s and women’s lifestyles and health status different, and how are they the same? Should health promotion programs in old age target men and women separately, or not?Read moreRead less
Skills For Life: A Life Skills Curriculum For Indigenous Youth In Remote Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,816,502.00
Summary
This project will rigorously evaluate a life skills curriculum for youth of middle school age in remote Indigenous communities of the Northern Territory. The curriculum will be delivered in the class room in weekly sessions. It is a culturally appropriate learning strategy that aims to build resilience and social-emotional skills to help young people cope, make positive life choices and avoid self-destructive behaviours. It directly targets key risk factors for youth suicide and self-harm.
BAN-Dep: A Trial To Decrease The Prevalence Of Depression In Australian Nursing Homes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$876,381.00
Summary
Depression is common among residents of aged care facilities, although symptoms are often not detected or treated. The Professional Education to Aged Care (PEAC) is a beyondblue e-learning platform designed to enhance knowledge about depression and anxiety in residential care. This trial aims to test whether the addition of a behavioural activation component is more efficacious than the PEAC alone in reducing the frequency of depressive symptoms among nursing home residents.
Using Health Outcome Data From Pooled Longitudinal Studies Of Ageing To Develop Statistical And Microsimulation Models T
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,162,630.00
Summary
This project draws together data from nine Australian Longitudinal Studies of Ageing (LSAs), including 53484 participants, that will be used to identify factors capable of preventing disease, reducing ill-health, and promoting engaged and successful ageing for Australians. The focus is upon conditions that significantly contribute to the burden of disease including cognitive decline and dementia, sensory impairment, impairment in mobility and common mental disorders such as depression. Although ....This project draws together data from nine Australian Longitudinal Studies of Ageing (LSAs), including 53484 participants, that will be used to identify factors capable of preventing disease, reducing ill-health, and promoting engaged and successful ageing for Australians. The focus is upon conditions that significantly contribute to the burden of disease including cognitive decline and dementia, sensory impairment, impairment in mobility and common mental disorders such as depression. Although individual studies contain rich data on particular topics, there is only a small number of individuals in each study with specific medical conditions, or combinations of different conditions, especially at the older ages. Pooling data from nine studies will overcome this problem. This innovative and interdisciplinary study also involves development of the first Australian dynamic micro-simulation model of the health and social outcomes of the baby boomer and older cohorts. The simulation will allow for evaluation of the impact of modifying risk factors, and costs associated with different trajectories of health and ageing. Our program takes an interdisciplinary life course approach, incorporating interdependencies among demographic, behavioural, social, economic and health factors. Our multidisciplinary team and collaborative pooling of existing studies adds value and builds upon experience, as recommended in the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council 2003 report. The outcomes will direct health and social policy to promote health behaviour, and social and medical interventions to compress morbidity and optimize healthy ageing in Australian society over the next 40 years.Read moreRead less