BSI Research Units

Ageing Research Unit

Unit Leader: Dr. Andrew Pipingas

Introduction:

The population is ageing, and with this change comes an increased incidence of brain disorders such as Alzheimer' s disease. Understanding these disorders and being able to detect the early neurophysiological and neuropsychological manifestations is critical for potential treatments and for preventative healthcare. In line with these developments, the key aims of the Ageing Research Unit are -

• to understand the normal ageing brain
• to understand what happens to the brain and brain function in disorders such as Alzheimer's disease
• to investigate the effects of new treatments
• to develop new methods for detecting early cognitive decline

To meet these research aims the Ageing Research Unit employs a number of research methodologies including brain neuroimaging, brain electrical activity mapping, neuropsychological assessment and computerised cognitive testing.

Past and current projects include - the investigation of cognitive decline with age and Alzheimer's disease; the effect of potent plant antioxidants and multivitamins on cognition, mood and stress in older at risk individuals; and the relationship between brain electrical activity measures and cognitive processes with age.

The Ageing Research Unit has also continued to develop and refine a battery of computerised cognitive tests known as the Swinburne University Computerised Cognitive Ageing Battery (SUCCAB). This battery of tests has been shown to be sensitive to age-related cognitive decline and to subtle improvements in cognitive performance following dietary supplementation with multivitamins and plant extracts.

Key Members:

Name: Dr Andrew Pipingas

Name: Prof. Con Stough

Name: Prof. Richard Silberstein

Name: Christina Kure

Name: Elizabeth Harris

Name: Helen Macpherson

Name: Kane Elfman

Current Research Projects:

SUCCAB – Swinburne University Computerised Cognitive Ageing Battery.

Ageing SSVEP

Enzogenol

Multi cognition

Multi mood

Ropren

Ageing and cognitive impairment.

Grants received:

Swisse Vitamins Pty Ltd – 2006-2009
Pipingas, A.
$370,000

Prevention of cognitive decline, improving health in an ageing population and reducing age related diseases

Brain Resource Company - 2006
Pipingas, A., Crewther, D.
$16,000

Neuropsychological and electrophysiological correlates of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD)

ENZO Pty Ltd - 2005
Pipingas, A., Silberstein R.B.
$3,180

Effects of an extract of Pinus radiata pine bark (Enzogenol) on cognitive function and cardiovascular disease risk factors amongst older at risk subjects

Swisse Vitamins Pty Ltd – 2005
Pipingas, A., Vitetta, L.
$51,238

The effect of micronutrient and herbal supplementation on cognition, mood, anxiety and stress in older adults at risk of cognitive decline

Brain Resource Company - 2005
Pipingas, A.
$3,500

Neuropsychological and electrophysiological correlates of ageing.

Faculty of Life and Social Sciences Track Record Scheme – 2005
Pipingas A.
$1970 (application ranked 2)

Swinburne University Linkage Project Encouragement Scheme - 2005
Silberstein, R.B., Vitetta, L., Pipingas, A., Sali., A.
$2,500

The effects of micronutrient and herbal combinations on brain activity and cognitive function in people at risk of cognitive decline

ENZO Bioactives Pty Ltd - 2004
Pipingas, A., Silberstein, R.B.
$60,000 approx.

Investigation into the effects of dietary supplementation of an extract of Pinus radiata pine bark (Enzogenol) on neurological cognitive function and cardiovascular disease risk factors amongst older at risk subjects

ARC small grant - 1999
Pipingas, A.
$12,000

Steady-state visually evoked potential topography associated with object recognition memory.

ARC small grant - 1998
Sanderson, P. Pipingas, A.
$16,000

Using steady-state probe topography to determine neuropsychological correlates of human process control performance with ecological versus conventional interfaces.

Work with Community and Affiliates:

Alzheimer's Australia ( www.alzheimers.org.au )

Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) has been used in Ayurvedic (Indian) traditional medicine since at least 800 BC with the first documented references from the 1st Century AD. Its traditional uses are for a “weak intellect,” lack of concentration and to improve memory. Recent studies conducted at the Brain Sciences Institute by the chief investigators of this proposal have indicated that 90 day treatment with Bacopa monniera compared to 90 day placebo treatment improves performance across a wide range of cognitive and intellectual processes such as information processing, memory and concentration in healthy adult participants.

At the same time, findings in animal studies have shown that supplementation with Bacopa monniera improves behavioural performance and appears to simultaneously counter critical pathological hallmarks and mechanisms underpinning AD. We now wish to conduct the first large scale human trial to examine whether Bacopa monniera has a cognitive enhancing effect in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's Dementia.

Bacopa monniera will be given to Alzheimer's Dementia patients as an adjunct to their current medication. The results of the study may help to better understand how we may treat Alzheimer's disease and may have important consequences for the public health system and to reduce also the burden for carers. The study will be carried out across several universities and hospitals and in collaboration with Alzheimer's Australia.

Swisse Vitamins Pty Ltd ( www.swisse.com.au )

ENZO Nutraceuticals Ltd ( www.enzo.co.nz )

Brain Resource Company (BRC) ( www.brainsource.com )

St George's Hospital

Centre for Healthy Ageing

Key Publications:

Journals:

Silberstein, R.B.; Nunez, P.L.; Pipingas, A.; Harris, P.; Danieli, F.. (2001). Steady state visually evoked potential (SSVEP) topography in a graded working memory task. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 42, 219-232.

* Scholes K.E., Harrison B.J., O'Neill B.V., Leung S., Croft R.J., Phan K.L., Pipingas A. Nathan P.J. (2007). Acute Serotonin and Dopamine Depletion Improves Attentional Control: Findings from the Stroop Task. Neuropsychopharmacology, Dec 6; [Epub ahead of print] (accepted November, 2006).

Conference Papers:

* Pipingas, A., Silberstein, R.B. (2006) Effects of flavonoids on brain function connectivity during a recognition memory task. Presented at the 16th Australasian Society for Psychophysiology Conference, Canberra, Dec. 2006.

* Pipingas, A., Silberstein, R.B., Vitetta, L., Van Rooy, C.V., Nastasi, J.V., Sali, A. (2006) The effects of an extract of Pinus radiata pine bark (Enzogenol) on cognitive function in individuals at risk of cognitive decline. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience. 37;2,166. Presented at the 15 th Australasian Society for Psychophysiology Conference, Wollongong, Dec. 2005.

* Harris, E., Pipingas, A., Kirk, J., Vitetta, L. (2006) The effect of multivitamin supplementation on cognition in adults at risk of cognitive decline. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience. 37;2,153. Presented at the 15th Australasian Society for Psychophysiology Conference, Wollongong, Dec. 2005.

* Yap, T., Pipingas, A., Crewther, D., Moore, N., Li, Sally. (2006) Spatial and categorical memory show a double dissociation with magnocellular and parvocellular visual evoked potential components in a normal aging population. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience. 37;2,174. Presented at the 15th Australasian Society for Psychophysiology Conference, Wollongong, Dec. 2005.

* Tournier, E. Pipingas, A. Stough, C. K. (2005). Detecting age-associated cognitive decline: Effects on episodic memory performance. Australian Journal of Psychology. 57,38, Supplement 2005. Presented at the 14th Australasian Society for Psychophysiology Conference, Melbourne, Dec. 2004.

* Pipingas, A. (2003 Feb).  Steady-State Visually Evoked Potential Correlates of Object Recognition Memory.  Melbourne, Australia. Brain Sciences Institute, Swinburne University of Technology.

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