Studies

The AIBL Study has partnered with the following studies

The Australia Dementia Network

ADNeT brings together 25 researchers across 15 Australian institutions, including the University of Melbourne, UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Monash University, Austin Health, Edith Cowan University, CSIRO, Flinders University, Macquarie University, NeuRA, QIMR Berghofer, SAHMRI, University of Newcastle, University of Sydney, University of Tasmania and the University of Queensland.

These researchers and institutions are working on three key initiatives:

The establishment of a national clinical quality registry for dementia
The development of unified guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of neurocognitive disorders and the creation of a network of memory clinics; and
The development of effective therapies for the prevention and treatment of dementia through improved patient screening and trial participation.

Link to ADNeT Website : https://www.australiandementianetwork.org.au/

Current Sub-Studies

Completed Sub-Studies

AIBL Active

This study is to build on previous work from AIBL to investigate the effectiveness of physical activity in delaying the progression of cognitive decline and cerebrovascular disease (as measured by brain imaging). The study is conducted in Melbourne, at National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) and Mental Health Research Institute (MHRI).

Contact: Caroline Marczak

Rate of Change Study (ROCS)

This world first study aims to improve future research design, so that studies are easier for participants and for assessors, as well as to improve our ability to detect even very small changes in memory at an earlier time point. The study has been designed to accommodate the comfort and convenience of the volunteer with assessments having been conducted at the participant’s home or at our offices at MHRI, Oak St Parkville, depending on the volunteer’s preference.

The study measured cognitive function over the short (1-3 months) and long (18 months) term with repeated assessments conducted at relatively brief re-test intervals in a sub group of 205 well characterized patients currently enrolled in the AIBL cohort. Data from these repeated assessments will be integrated with data collected from the AIBL cohort to:

compute rates of change in cognitive function over the short and long term in individuals.
analyze rates of change so that estimates of both short (3 months) and long term (18 months) change and the associated error can be computed.
examine the association between cerebral amyloid burden, disease classification and rates of change in cognitive function over the short and long term.
examine the association between activities of daily living subjective ratings of cognitive impairment and mood, disease classification and rates of change in cognitive function over the short and long term.

ROCS has been running since November 2009 and will end in November 2012. ROCS is not currently recruiting any further volunteers.

Information sessions presenting current results of the study were held in:

Melbourne – Thursday 2nd February 2012 in the Auditorium of the Kenneth Myer Builiding, University of Melbourne
Perth – Friday 24th February 2012 in the Annex Auditorium at Hollywood Private Hospital

Contact: Ms. Karra Harrington, study coordinator, on (03) 9389 2932.

Allied Studies

FABS II [Fitness for Ageing Brain] Study

This is a study to find out if a home-based physical activities program to slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and improves quality of life. The study is led by National Ageing Research Institute (NARI), The University of Melbourne and The University of Western Australia, who are our partner organisations. There are two sites in Australia at which the assessments are conducted; Melbourne and Perth.

FABS II is seeking volunteers, if you or your family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, live independently, is able to take part in moderate exercise, and have a family member or friend who can attend the assessments with the volunteer, please contact;

Melbourne	National Ageing Research Institute, (03) 8387 2305
Perth	The University of Western Australia, (08)9224 02

Link to NARI HP: http://www.mednwh.unimelb.edu.au/index.htm
Link to Study HP: http://www.news.uwa.edu.au/200906291338/media-statements/australian-first-study-reduce-alzheimerss-symptoms-through-exercise

Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer’s Network (DIAN) Study

The DIAN study, led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is a 6 year international research collaboration dedicated to understanding the dominantly inherited form of Alzheimer’s disease. This rare form of the disease is caused by an inherited genetic mutation and usually strikes earlier in life. Investigators hope to enrol volunteers from various USA sites, one site in the UK and an Australian consortium which is based in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

To be eligible to participate you must have a biological parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s disease caused by a known genetic mutation, be over 18 years of age, speak and read English fluently and have someone who knows you well and would be willing to answer questions about your memory and thinking. If you are interested in participating, please contact;

Institute	Contact	Phone	Email
National Ageing Research Institute	Tabitha Nash	(03)8344 1859	t.nash@mhri.edu.au
The University of Western Australia	Kevin Taddei	(08)9347 4200	k.taddei@ecu.edu.au

Link to DIAN HP: http://dian-info.org/

Women’s Healthy Ageing Project (WHAP)

The Women’s Healthy Ageing Project is a prospective, longitudinal, epidemiological study of 438 Australian women that has spanned two decades. The WHAP consists of three phases:

Cross-Sectional and Recruitment Study (1990) – the Melbourne Women’s Midlife Health Project (MWMHP)
An annual longitudinal assessment (MWMHP) (1991-1999) – involving HT users, bone density and violence in wome
Intermittent Longitudinal Assessment (Since 2000; WHAP) – involving healthy ageing

This study has extensive detailed measures, a high retention rate and midlife data which can be examined in the setting of late life health, currently under assessment. There is data available on participants from twenty years earlier of measured physical, psychosocial and lifestyle factors which may affect later life health. In particular there is prospective information on mood, alcohol, smoking and physical activity and social connectedness which have been identified as critical in the literature. Therefore this study is in a unique position to examine the inter-relationship of these key factors in the development of morbidity in ageing. This study is not only long in duration but its advantage is in the detail of measures taken in each follow-up year with extensive biomarker, physical measures and questionnaire data covering cardiovascular, bone, cognitive, urology, endocrinology, psychological, sociological and lifestyle areas. Key measures are as follows: