Does Vitamin D Supplementation Reduce Cognitive Decline?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$646,601.00
Summary
Australia's population is ageing rapidly and so is the frequency of age-related disorders. Dementia is one of the most frequent mental health disorders of older people and one of the leading causes of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in old age is considered an important clinical state predictive of future cognitive decline. There is increasing evidence that the onset of dementia can be delayed with targeting potentially modifiable risk factors. ....Australia's population is ageing rapidly and so is the frequency of age-related disorders. Dementia is one of the most frequent mental health disorders of older people and one of the leading causes of years of life lost due to disability in Australia. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in old age is considered an important clinical state predictive of future cognitive decline. There is increasing evidence that the onset of dementia can be delayed with targeting potentially modifiable risk factors. Vitamin D is important for healthy bones and muscle function, but is now also discussed as being important for healthy brain function. The purpose of this randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial is to investigate whether supplementation with vitamin D for 18 months in older adults with MCI who have low vitamin D levels, can help to reduce cognitive decline. 110 older adults with MCI will be randomised (by chance, like the flip of a coin) to either active treatment or placebo. Their cognition (such as memory) performance, quality of life and functional level will be compared at 6, 12, and 18 months. If our hypothesis is confirmed, vitamin D supplementation might prove to be a simple, effective and inexpensive way of delaying cognitive decline in people at risk for dementia. This could lead to the reconsideration of current sun exposure policies in Australia and the more widespread use of food fortification and supplementation.Read moreRead less
RCT Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids As Treatment Of Subthreshold Symptoms In Young People At Ultra-high Risk For
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$280,102.00
Summary
Omega-3 fats are a type of polyunsaturated fat which has long been thought to be beneficial for health. The body cannot make its own omega-3 fats - they must be taken in through the diet, or in supplement form. Large population-based studies have suggested that a diet rich in omega-3 fats can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure, cut the risk of cancers such as prostate and skin. The fats have also been touted as a treatment for arthritis, asthma, and inflamed bowels. ....Omega-3 fats are a type of polyunsaturated fat which has long been thought to be beneficial for health. The body cannot make its own omega-3 fats - they must be taken in through the diet, or in supplement form. Large population-based studies have suggested that a diet rich in omega-3 fats can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure, cut the risk of cancers such as prostate and skin. The fats have also been touted as a treatment for arthritis, asthma, and inflamed bowels. A lack of omega-3s during foetal development can hinder brain and eye development. Other work has suggested that a diet rich in omega-3 may help improve mental health. Studies revealed beneficial effects in a broad range of mental health problems including violent and aggressive behaviour in teenagers, major depression, bipolar affective disorder, borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia. Evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce symptoms in schizophrenia and other major psychiatric disorders make omega-3 fatty acids an optimal candidate for further evaluation of its therapeutic efficacy, in particular in young people in early illness stages of psychosis where specific intervention is controversial due to potential risks and medication side-effects. The proposed 12-week intervention study aims to establish a new treatment strategy alternative to antipsychotic medication in the young people with subthreshold symptoms at high risk for psychosis. Omega-3 fatty acids have no clinically relevant side effects which often accompany therapy with antipsychotics (such as diabetes and weight gain). A widely available, easy applicable, biological treatment without clinically relevant side effects could help to improve compliance and outcome in psychosis. Schizophrenia is often prolonged and results in a considerable economic burden. Early treatment has the potential to offset future costs to both mental health providers and the recipients of these services.Read moreRead less
Phosphoproteomics: Metabolic And Exercise Signalling Markers For Sedentary And Trained Individuals
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,222,500.00
Summary
It is widely recognized that diet and exercise have a major influence on the health and fitness. Sedentary lifestyles predispose people to obesity and the early development of age onset diseases. In the past decade we have gained considerable insight into the regulatory links between exercise and metabolism particularly involving the AMPK signalling pathway. This project is concerned with the phosphoproteome of trained and untrained skeletal muscle, fat and erythrocytes as a marker of fitness.