Evaluation Of Combination Nutritional Supplement Therapies In The Prevention Of Alzheimers Disease In
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$484,675.00
Summary
Age-related diseases are becoming a major concern as the world’s population grows older due to advances in medical technology, health and nutrition. Dementia accounts for a large proportion of agerelated diseases and is characterised clinically by deterioration in memory and cognitive processing. AD is the most common form of cerebral degeneration leading to dementia. Currently over 200,000 Australians suffer from dementia, with AD, accounting for 50-70% of all cases. At this rate, the number of ....Age-related diseases are becoming a major concern as the world’s population grows older due to advances in medical technology, health and nutrition. Dementia accounts for a large proportion of agerelated diseases and is characterised clinically by deterioration in memory and cognitive processing. AD is the most common form of cerebral degeneration leading to dementia. Currently over 200,000 Australians suffer from dementia, with AD, accounting for 50-70% of all cases. At this rate, the number of people in Australia with dementia will increase to 730,000 by the year 2050. Thus, there is an urgent need for effective preventative treatments for this devastating disease, as dementia will soon be the major cause of disability in Australia. As a result, the social and economic consequences of this disease present a significant challenge to society, and it is imperative that strategies to prevent or delay the onset of AD are developed. If complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies could be developed to prevent or delay the onset for Alzheimer’s disease, the impact on disease burden could be substantial. However, these CAM therapies need to be critically evaluated for their mechanisms, efficacy and safety before human clinical trial are undertaken. The proposed research plan will evaluate the efficacy of the nutritional supplements of polyphenols (EGCG from green tea and curcumin), omega-3 essential fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid) and lipoic acid to determine whether these treatments in combination offer preventative therapies for AD. The findings from the current study will provide important information concerning the effects of combination supplements in preventing cognitive deficits and AD pathology in a transgenic mouse model. Combination treatments may reduce cognitive deficits (memory and learning), oxidative stress and AD pathology, thereby providing an important insight into possible CAM preventative treatment strategies for AD. The development of effective preventative strategies for the treatment of AD is critical if we are to reduce the number of people that are expected to develop AD over the next 50 years, due to the rapidly aging population. The outcomes of this research may provide disease modifying therapies for the prevention of AD.Read moreRead less
Does N-3 LCPUFA Supplementation In Pregnancy Reduce Asthma And Allergies In School Age Children?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,833.00
Summary
We will determine whether supplementing the diets of pregnant women with fish oil can have long term effects on the development of the childÍs immune system and reduce the prevalence of asthma and allergies at early school age. The outcomes of our project will inform nutritional guidelines for pregnant women and, if successful, has the potential to significantly lower the costly burden of childhood asthma and allergies to families and the healthcare system.
The Fish Oil Youth Depression Study: A Randomised, Double Blind, Placebo-controlled Treatment Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,193,322.00
Summary
Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (‘fish oil’) can reduce symptoms of depression. This, and the fact that they do not cause major side effects and are considered health beneficial, makes them an ideal candidate for early and preventive treatment. Through a controlled trial in tandem with a comprehensive basic research program, we aim to establish long-chain omega-3 fatty acids as first-line treatment for indicated prevention of severe mood disorders and as an alternative to antidepressant medicatio ....Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (‘fish oil’) can reduce symptoms of depression. This, and the fact that they do not cause major side effects and are considered health beneficial, makes them an ideal candidate for early and preventive treatment. Through a controlled trial in tandem with a comprehensive basic research program, we aim to establish long-chain omega-3 fatty acids as first-line treatment for indicated prevention of severe mood disorders and as an alternative to antidepressant medication in adolescents.Read moreRead less
The Effects Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids On Novel Anti-Inflammatory Metabolites And Telomere Length In Early And Later Life: Potential Implications For Long-Term Cardiovascular Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$870,091.00
Summary
Exciting new effects of omega-3 fats from fish oil have recently been discovered which actively reduce inflammation and help prolong cell life. These mechanisms are relevant to the risk of complications of obesity and cardiovascular disease. We will study the effects of fish oil given in pregnancy, infancy and later in life, with a view to using omega-3 fatty acid supplements for both early prevention and later treatment of obesity and cardiovascular disease.
A Multi-faceted Intervention To Enhance Cognition In Older People At Risk Of Cognitive Decline
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,224.00
Summary
There is an urgent need to investigate interventions which could reduce the number of people living with dementia in the future. This research aims to improve cognition in older people, experiencing early signs of memory decline, using a multi-modal exercise program combined with dietary supplements. Findings from this research will contribute to primary and secondary dementia prevention approaches.
The Impact Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids On The Inflammatory Mediators Of Heart Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$48,028.00
Summary
Fish oils are consumed widely for their omega-3 fatty acids, which have multiple health benefits. Despite the benefits of fish oil for cardiovascular disease seen in early studies, recent studies have not shown a protective effect. Hence, we are studying the effects of omega-3s on the development of atherosclerosis (fatty plaque build up in arteries) by investigating their role in inflammation in the blood vessel wall and in fatty tissue. This is using cells, animals and human studies
Efficacy And Safety Of Omega-3 DHA Supplementation In Preterm Infants: Childhood Follow-up Of The N3RO Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$713,218.00
Summary
Giving babies born 3 to 4 months prematurely the omega-3 DHA has been thought to improve their mental development. But we don’t yet know if this is indeed so. In this follow-up study, we will be able to find out the important longer-term effects at 5-years of age of extra DHA in the first months of life by assessing the children’s mental development.
Effects Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids And Coenzyme Q10 On Cardiovascular Risk In Chronic Renal Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$433,725.00
Summary
Heart disease is one of the main causes of death in Australia. People with chronic renal failure (CRF) are at increased cardiovascular risk due to the coexistence of hypertension (high blood pressure), blood lipid abnormalities, and increased inflammation and oxidative stress. One approach may be to complement drug treatment of CRF with non-drug measures such as nutrition and lifestyle factors. In this regard, omega-3 fatty acids have great clinical potential in the treatment of CRF and its asso ....Heart disease is one of the main causes of death in Australia. People with chronic renal failure (CRF) are at increased cardiovascular risk due to the coexistence of hypertension (high blood pressure), blood lipid abnormalities, and increased inflammation and oxidative stress. One approach may be to complement drug treatment of CRF with non-drug measures such as nutrition and lifestyle factors. In this regard, omega-3 fatty acids have great clinical potential in the treatment of CRF and its associated complications. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce blood pressure and blood vessel wall elasticity, they improve blood fats, reduce the tendency of blood to clot, and attenuate inflammation and oxidative stress. Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that plays a critical role in cellular function. It improves blood pressure, blood vessel and heart function, and glucose control. It is proposed that the impact of a combined approach of supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids given as fish oils and coenzyme Q10, will lead to beneficial composite effects on blood pressure and heart disease risk in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic renal failure. In the proposed study, patients will undergo medical and biochemical assessment during a 3-week baseline period, after which they will be allocated to either supplement their normal diet with either 4g of encapsulated fish oil or placebo per day. Within each of these groups they will be further assigned to take coenzyme Q10 capsules (200mg) or placebo capsules. All measurements will be repeated at the end of 8 weeks.Read moreRead less