Feeding Disturbance And Hypothalamus Integrity In Early Frontotemporal Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,319.00
Summary
Frontotemporal dementia accounts for 12-20% of all dementia cases. It is as common as Alzheimer�s disease in the < 65 year olds but understanding of this disease remains limited. Marked eating disturbance (overeating, snatching food) is a common clinical manifestation. This project will characterise this deficit and define its biological causes using blood tests and magnetic resonance imaging. Results will help in designing therapeutic interventions targeting this disabling feature.
Improving Diagnosis Of Early Frontotemporal Dementia Syndromes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,716.00
Summary
Frontotemporal dementia is difficult to identify and diagnose accurately, although it is almost as common as Alzheimer’s disease before the age of 65. Improving its detection and diagnostic accuracy is the focus of my fellowship for the next 4 years. As a neuropsychologist with over 15 years clinical experience in dementia, I will combine clinical, neuroimaging and neuropathological approaches to identify early presentations of frontotemporal dementia and other dementia syndromes.
Cognitive changes after surgery occur in the elderly, yet the cause remains unknown. We plan to study cognition in patients having hip surgery in which general and spinal anaesthesia are used together. This allows us to sample spinal fluid which will be analysed for substances which identify a predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease. By comparing the results to a group of subjects who have not undergone surgery, we hope to identify if anaesthesia and surgery exacerbate this predisposition.
Validation Of Cognitive Assessments Using Telecommunication
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$257,261.00
Summary
This project will assess the use of video conferencing to enable geriatricians to assess and diagnose memory problems including dementia. Establishing the reliability of diagnosis and other related assessments, and identifying which functions can confidently be carried out via video conferencing, is one step towards extending the availability of this service to rural and remote communities. Access to accurate diagnosis and assessment of cognitive impairment is an important step in the management ....This project will assess the use of video conferencing to enable geriatricians to assess and diagnose memory problems including dementia. Establishing the reliability of diagnosis and other related assessments, and identifying which functions can confidently be carried out via video conferencing, is one step towards extending the availability of this service to rural and remote communities. Access to accurate diagnosis and assessment of cognitive impairment is an important step in the management of dementia, Alzheimer's disease and other associated disorders. High level expertise, such as that offered by a specialist Memory Disorder Clinic, is particularly important if there is uncertainty about the diagnosis, or if the prescription of cholinesterase inhibitors and associated medications are being considered. It was estimated that in 2005 there were 52,000 people diagnosed with dementia in Australia and by 2050 there will be an additional 175,000 cases each year. For the vast number of people who will be affected by dementia, early detection and intervention will play an important role in their healthy ageing experience. Access to accurate diagnosis and advice as a function of detection and intervention is often not as freely available to people in rural areas. The experience of travelling long distances for assessment can be detrimental to the emotional well being of people who may have dementia. Access to geriatrician services in a local rural area is an important element to maintaining their sense of well being. Geriatricians are not commonly available in rural areas which means current access to specialist diagnosis and assessment is either a missed opportunity or involves extensive travel. Internationally, there are many individuals living in remote regions with no access to geriatrician services, or reliable cognitive assessment. This study will inform similar experiments in other cultural settings.Read moreRead less
Regenerative Neuroscience Strategies For Healthy Brain Ageing And Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,652.00
Summary
Promotion of healthy brain ageing and prevention of dementia are amongst Australia's greatest medical challenges and of utmost concern to the public. This Fellowship will support a multidisciplinary approach to these challenges based around regenerative neuroscience. Valenzuela's group is a world leader in the science and practice of brain plasticity, and will lead twelve interlinked studies aimed at developing better ways to prevent dementia.
A Pilot Dementia Clinical Quality Registry To Improve Dementia Clinical Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,571,501.00
Summary
Clinical Quality Registries collect health data about the quality of clinical care and assist the implementation and monitoring of clinical guidelines into practice. Registries can identify variations in clinical care across geographical areas, facilitate further research into a condition, and help refine and develop new guidelines over time. This proposal will test procedures and pilot a clinical quality registry for dementia, using data from a well-characterised cohort.
Insight And Cognitive Decline In Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,600.00
Summary
Australia's population is aging rapidly and so is the frequency of age-related disorders. Dementia is one of the most frequent mental health disorders and one of the leading causes of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. Therefore it is important to be able to identify older adults at high risk of developing dementia in order to be able to introduce preventative strategies. One important risk factor for cognitive decline is the presence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older a ....Australia's population is aging rapidly and so is the frequency of age-related disorders. Dementia is one of the most frequent mental health disorders and one of the leading causes of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. Therefore it is important to be able to identify older adults at high risk of developing dementia in order to be able to introduce preventative strategies. One important risk factor for cognitive decline is the presence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults who complain about memory problems. However many subjects with MCI do not develop dementia and it remains a challenge to identify those with pre-dementia amongst those with MCI. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether reduced awareness of cognitive impairment is a better predictor of cognitive decline and dementia than having memory complaints . To investigate the association of reduced awareness and cognitive decline, 80 participants with MCI and 80 healthy controls will be followed over a period of 24 months. Awareness will be measured and compared to information on cognitive and functional impairment given by the participant and an informant. Additionally, information from neuroimaging and laboratory studies will be collected to determine it's interaction with reduced awareness.Read moreRead less
Brain Ageing - Studying Causes And Developing Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,156.00
Summary
This fellowship will assist in better understanding the complex reasons for serious conditions (dementia, stroke, falls, walking impairment) affecting brain health in ageing individuals, and in developing ways to reduce the risk or impact of these conditions in affected people.
Understanding The Experience Of Making Decisions For Persons With Dementia And Their Carers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$71,110.00
Summary
This project aims to explore concepts of value, meaning, and experience of the diagnosis amongst sufferers of dementia through discussion of their approach to making care decisions, and reflection on how this dialogue has been conducted with others. These concepts will be assessed from the perspective of diagnosed sufferers, their primary carers and their diagnosing doctors.
Identification And Quantification Of Risk Of Falls In Cognitively Impaired Older Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,741.00
Summary
This study represents the first systematic approach to understanding the complex interaction of factors that contribute to risk of falling in cognitively impaired older people. The results will provide much needed information on how to intervene to prevent falls and fractures in this high risk population. In the last decade, 25 randomised controlled trials have been published which show it is possible to prevent falls in older people. However, a major disappointing outcome of research in this fi ....This study represents the first systematic approach to understanding the complex interaction of factors that contribute to risk of falling in cognitively impaired older people. The results will provide much needed information on how to intervene to prevent falls and fractures in this high risk population. In the last decade, 25 randomised controlled trials have been published which show it is possible to prevent falls in older people. However, a major disappointing outcome of research in this field is that trials that have included or specifically focused on older people with cognitive impairment have been unsuccessful in preventing falls. Cognitive impairment has long been known to be a major risk factor for falls and fractures but little research has been undertaken to understand the underlying mechanisms as to why this is the case. It is likely that previous falls prevention trials involving people with cognitive impairment were unsuccessful because they did not directly assess mechanisms for falls in this group and simply translated intervention strategies from studies undertaken in cognitively intact older people. This study aims to develop our understanding of the important factors that contribute to risk of falling in older people with cognitive impairment and dementia. Participants will be recruited from a number of sources including hospitals, out-patient clinics, retirement villages, hostels etc. Whilst some participants will be able to consent to take part, all participants must have a nominated person responsible. Consenting participants will undergo a series of assessments, the majority of which can be undertaken in their own home. These will include medical and medication history, measures of gait and balance and tests assessing performance of different regions of the brain. An MRI scan will allow us to determine whether risk of falling relates to any specific pathology in different parts of the brain. We anticipate that we will be able to identify which risk factors and underlying mechanisms are most strongly associated with falling in cognitively impaired older people. We then hope to use the information to design targeted and tailored intervention strategies to reduce falls and fractures in this high risk population.Read moreRead less