Current Projects

Title:

Australian Research Council Longevity Intervention

Contact:

Prof Con Stough +61 3 9214 8167 or cstough@swin.edu.au

Description:

Improving cognitive and brain ageing with natural medicines in the elderly

The aging population has been identified as one of the major issues facing contemporary Australian society. For Australia, human ageing has significant societal, economic and, importantly, personal/human costs. The economic costs associated with ageing reflect decreased productivity as well as a higher incidence of a variety of illnesses including cardiovascular and respiratory disease and, importantly, neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Age related impairments in our cognitive abilities occur concurrently with cellular degradation in the brain. Strong indications of a relationship between the onset of deficits in cognition, and progressive damage to the brain provides a case for preventing such damage from occurring. The aim of the present proposal is to improve our understanding of whether age-related cognitive deterioration can be reduced by 12 month administration of compounds with either strong anti-oxidant or multi-targeted neuro-protective effects on neural cells. Outcome measures will include cognitive and cardiovascular functioning, as well as innovative measures of biochemistry and genetic markers.

The study will:

Examine the chronic 12 month effects of Bacopa, Pycnogenol and a micronutrient combination formula on cognitive performance in adult humans
Investigate the time course of cognitive enhancement with follow-up at 3, 6 and 12 months post randomization
Explore the mechanisms underpinning cognitive enhancement through detailed cardiovascular (blood pressure and arterial stiffness), mood and general health, biochemical (safety, oxidative stress and inflammation) and genetic analysis (telomere length and key Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms related to brain function and health).

Title:: Glucose facilitation of cognitive function: effects of effort, age and glucose control
Contact:: Professor Andrew Scholey ascholey@swin.edu.au
Description:: This is an Australian Research Council Discovery Programme project investigating the effects of glucose loading on neurocognitive function.

Glucose is the primary fuel for the brain and the effects of a glucose drink on cognitive functioning have proved useful in understanding fundamental brain-behaviour relations as well as paving the way for studies into the effects of food and other nutritional interventions on cognitive functions.

This project involves studies aimed at examining the interaction between glucose loading and task effort in individuals with better and worse glucoregulation (the ability to use and/or glucose effectively). One important aspect of this is that older people tend to have worse glucoregulation so this study aims to look at these effects in a slightly older population.

The study will also involve localisation of the actions of glucose in the brain using a combination of behavioural and brain imaging techniques.

Title:: Multivitamin supplementation, neurocognition and mood
Contact:: Dr Andrew Pipingas apipingas@swin.edu.au
Description:: The aim of this project is to investigate the effects of multivitamin supplementation on cognition and brain functioning, mood and stress in middle aged and older Australians.

A handful of recent studies have indicated that supplementing with multinutrients may be beneficial for general wellbeing, cognition and mood, however more research is needed to assess the efficacy of multivitamins and mechanisms of action.

A series of projects are currently underway to investigate multivitamin supplementation in 20-50 year olds, 50+ individuals and in older more vulnerable cohorts with subjective memory impairments. Cognitive, neuroimaging, biochemical, mood, general wellbeing and cardiovascular functioning measures are employed to assess efficacy, safety and mechanisms of action.

Title:: The Kava Anxiety-Lowering Medication (KALM) Study
Contact:: Contact Dr. Jerome Sarris jsarris@unimelb.edu.au
Description:: The Kava Anxiety-Lowering Medication (KALM) Project consists of two randomised clinical trials (RCTs) studying the South Pacific medicinal plant "Kava" on reducing anxiety in people with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

The project is a joint study between the Centre for Human Psychopharmacology and the University of Melbourne coordinated by our joint postdoctoral fellow Dr. Jerome Sarris. The study explores the effect of the Kava on anxiety, mood and neuocognitive outcomes, in addition to its effects on driving ability. It is the first study in the world to analyse participant's genetic differences (polymorphisms) potentially affecting therapeutic response to a plant medicine.

Title:: Neurocognitive effects of caffeine and glucose
Contact:: Professor Andrew Scholey ascholey@swin.edu.au
Description:: Glucose and caffeine are two of the most widely researched nutraceutical cognitive enhancers in the world. In everyday life, they are often consumed together - however there is little research regarding their combined effects on neurocognitive functioning.

In the case of glucose more effortful cognitive processing appears to be the most susceptible to its effects. Caffeine can improve several aspects of cognition and mood, particularly in fatigued individuals. In both cases behavioural responses are moderated by individual differences. In the case of glucose by physiology and in the case of caffeine by genotype.

Despite this wealth of knowledge, the effects of caffeine and glucose alone on relatively underloaded cognitive performance is unclear. The aim of this programme of study is to examine the effects of caffeine and glucose loading both alone and in combination on a range of cognitive tasks ranging from simple processing to complex, higher-order multi-tasking platforms. The studies use a combination of neurocognitive methodologies including cognitive testing and state-of-the-art neuroimaging techniques.

Title:: The effect of fish oils on cognitive performance and brain function
Contact:: Dr Andrew Pipingas apipingas@swin.edu.au
Description:: This is a project investigating the effects of fish oils on cognition and brain functioning, mood and cardiovascular function in middle aged and older Australians.

Long chain omega-3 fatty acids are essential for optimal neural functioning and must be incorporated into the diet given that the human body can produce only minimal quantities of these fatty acids. The Western diet contains very little omega-3s and this may be a factor for accelerated brain ageing.

This project involves studies aimed at examining the interaction between levels of omega-3 in the blood and cognitive performance and mood functioning. Fish oil supplementation in cohorts is also investigated to assess potential benefits associated with increasing omega-3 levels in the diet.

Mechanisms of action are assessed through measurement of a number of cardiovascular and biochemical indices.

Title:

Factors influencing mood and cognitive effects of chewing gum

Contact:

Professor Andrew Scholey ascholey@swin.edu.au

Description:

Many people chew gum in the belief that it has relaxing/anti-stress properties or aid concentrations. This programme of research is aimed at further evaluating these effects.

A series if studies has shown that chewing gum has positive effects on mood - in particular increasing levels of self-rated alertness. At the same time there is a growing literature on the beneficial effects of gum chewing on cognitive function, particularly memory. The mechanisms underlying these effects are unknown but may include documented effects of chewing on cerebral blood flow and heart rate. This research programme is aimed at systematically evaluating the effects of chewing gum on aspects of behaviour.

Studies within this programme include:

Further investigating the effects of chewing gum as an anti-stressor, including extending the range of intensity and type of stressor.
Examining the role of chewing gum in nitric oxide mediated vasodilation as a potential mechanism for neurocognitive effects.
Evaluation of the most important dimensions of gum chewing for improved mood/stress relief and performance i.e. flavour, mastication etc.
Neuroimaging effects of chewing gum.

Title:: Measuring age-associated neurocognitive decline using the Swinburne University Computerised Cognitive Ageing Battery (SUCCAB) and Steady State Topography (SST)
Contact:: Dr Andrew Pipingas apipingas@swin.edu.au
Description:: The aim of this project is to understand neurocognitive ageing across the lifespan.

A number of completed studies have shown that cognitive ageing is not a unitary process; specific cognitive domains decline more rapidly than others. These domains have also served as useful constructs for assessing improvements in cognition in response to nutraceutical interventions. A main outcome of this work is the Swinburne University Computerised Cognitive Ageing Battery (SUCCAB). This battery of computerised cognitive tests was shown to be reliable (test-retest reliability), valid with respect to decline across the lifespan and with a high construct validity with respect to similar tests using the WAIS. The tests that show the greatest change across the lifespan also appear to be important targets amenable to change following supplementation with natural medicines.

Other completed and ongoing studies have utilised brain electrical and other neuroimaging methodologies to assess spatial-temporal patterns of neural activity in response to the performance of cognitive tasks. The Steady State Topography (SST) technique in particular has been used extensively by our group. Again, these methods have proven useful in the assessment of response to nutraceutical supplementation.

Title:: Cardiovascular functioning and age-associated cognitive decline
Contact:: Dr Andrew Pipingas apipingas@swin.edu.au
Description:: The aim of this project is to understand the impact of arterial stiffness, blood flow, endothelial function and other cardiovascular indices on age-associated cognitive decline.

There are many examples of poor cardiovascular functioning affecting cognitive function. While in the extreme stroke can cause permanent cognitive and physical disability, more subtle and seemingly benign changes in cardiovascular functioning across the lifespan may be at least partly responsible for age-associated cognitive decline. Moreover, improving cardiovascular function through supplementation with natural medicines may in turn improve cognitive functioning.

Through a number of completed and ongoing studies this project aims to investigate (i) the link between cardiovascular functioning and cognitive decline (ii) to investigate cardiovascular function as a possible mechanism for improvement of cognition following supplementation with natural medicines.

Title:: The Effects Of Creatine On Cognitive Function In Healthy, Non-Demented Elderly Individuals
Contact:: Dr. Lauren Owen lowen@swin.edu.au
Description:: This is a project investigating the effects of 1 week creatine loading on neurocognitive function in healthy elderly individuals.

Aging is characterized by a progressive deterioration in physiological functions and metabolic processes. For all biological and molecular events and for multiple cellular functions, energy is essential. Reduced energy levels threaten cellular homeostasis and integrity. During normal aging neuronal cell injury and death are accelerated and lead to region specific brain shrinkage, particularly in brain regions that are important for the formation of memories and decision making. The brain is the most metabolically active organ in the body and as such is particularly vulnerable to disruption of energy resources.

Creatine is a naturally occurring substance found in vertebrates and is essential for maintaining energy homeosis. Creatine is TGA approved and sold over the counter in a number of health shops as a body building agent. Dietary sources of Creatine are fish and red meat, with a much lower concentration found in some plants.

We are investigating the effects of 1 week supplementation of creatine on memory and cognition. If you are aged over 65years and would like to take part in this study please contact Dr Lauren Owen.

Title:: The role of glucoregulatory processes in the cognition-enhancing effects of selected botanicals
Contact:: Anastasia Ossoukhova aossoukhova@swin.edu.au
Description:: This study aims to look at the relationship between glucoregulation (the ability to use blood glucose) and cognitive ability, in particular whether these two processes can be moderated by certain natural medicines.

Cognitive ability declines with age as does glucoregulation. In fact these processes are tightly linked. The aim of this project is to determine of certain natural medicines which are known to improve glucoregulation can also improve cognitive function. In the first instance the project will involve a series of double-blind, placebo-controlled dose-ranging studies examining the link between changes in blood glucose and cognitive function. Later studies will further explore this link using brain imaging techniques and relevant biomarkers.

Title:: The neural and cognitive effects of Bacopa monniera: an fMRI study
Contact:: Chris Neale chrisneale@swin.edu.au
Description:: This study aims to look at the effects of 90-day administration of Bacopa monniera (BM) on brain functioning using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a double blind, placebo controlled crossover trial.

BM is a Ayurvedic medicine used historically as a memory tonic. Recent research suggests that properties such as antioxidant activity, action as an ant-inflammatory, reduction of amyloid plaques and increased levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine may all contribute to its memory enhancing properties. Previous studies fro the Centre for Human Psychopharmacology have shown that BM to has a positive effect on performance of memory tasks and vigilance (Rapid Visual Information Processing) and information processing speed (Inspection time) tasks. The current study will examine the effects of BM on the RVIP and IT task in a middle aged population (45-65 years) on the brain activation using fMRI.

Title:: Physiological mechanisms associated with cognitive impairment in heart failure
Contact:: Christina Kure ckure@swin.edu.au
Description:: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether oxidative stress and inflammation are associated with cognitive impairment in older heart failure patients.

Cognitive impairment (CI) is common in heart failure (HF), especially in older patients. CI may reduce the patient's ability to understand and comply with therapeutic regimes, increase hospital readmissions and mortality rates. Previous research indicates that CI may be underpinned by changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) however the effects of inflammation and oxidative-stress have not been investigated.

This study involves collecting cognitive, mood and biological data (e.g. oxidative stress, inflammation, cerebral blood flow) in heart failure patients (recruited from and tested at the Alfred Hospital Heart Centre) and an age matched control group (recruited from the general public and tested at Swinburne University).

Understanding the mechanisms associated with CI in HF may facilitate development of interventions to potentially improve or preserve cognitive function at various stages of the condition.

Title:: Acute effects of multi-vitamin/mineral preparations on brain activity and cognition
Contact:: Professor Andrew Scholey ascholey@swin.edu.au
Description:: This study uses a combination of fMRI and Steady State Topography to study the acute effects of multi-vitamin/mineral preparations on brain activity during periods of intense mental processing.

There have been several studies recently from the Centre for Human Psychopharmacology and elsewhere demonstrating that multivitamin supplementation can improve mood and some aspects of cognitive performance. Previous work by Scholey has shown that a multivitamin-mineral-guaraná combination can improve performance during intense cognitive processing. The aim of this study is to further explore the effects of acute supplementation with multivitamins with and without guaraná on brain energy assessed via established imaging techniques in healthy volunteers. This will allow us to gain more knowledge about the link between multivitamins and cognition. Participants will be undergo cognitive testing brain imaging (both Steady State Tomography and fMRI) following placebo, multivitamins/minerals and multivitamins/minerals with guaraná.

Title:: Effect of resveratrol in red wine on cognitive function in older adults
Contact:: Professor Andrew Scholey ascholey@swin.edu.au
Description:: This study aims to assess the neurocognitive effects of resveratrol in red wine. There is growing evidence that resveratrol - a polyphenol found in red wine - may improve cerebral blood flow in healthy humans when administered in capsule form. There is no evidence to date however that this effects occurs when resveratrol is administered in wine.

In this study volunteers (aged 60 and above) will visit the laboratory on two occasions. One will involve administration of a placebo, the other a single dose of resveratrol in red wine. 45 minutes after ingestion, participants will perform a selection of cognitive tasks that activate the frontal cortex region of the brain for an additional 60 minutes. Subjects will be assessed pre-dose and post-dose of resveratrol and blood samples will be taken to measure levels of resveratrol and related compounds. This neurocognitive function and pharmacokinetic study will be undertaken at the Centre for Human Psychopharmacology and the analysis of the plasma samples will be undertaken at the Australian Wine Research Institute - Metabolomics Australia (AWRI-MA). This study will provide us with a better understanding of the neurocognitive effects of resveratrol when administered in red wine.

Title:: The effects of a naturally occurring combination of omega-3s on children and adolescents with hyperactivity and inattention
Contact:: James Kean jkean@swin.edu.au
Description:: This study aims to look at the relationship between marine oil and adolescent behaviour and attention utilising neuroimaging techniques to monitor changes in neural activity as well as changes in behaviour and attention using parent-reported behaviour analysis.

A number of studies have looked at omega-3s and their interaction with the adolescent brain with mixed results. This is the first study of its kind looking at a completely unique marine oil (the New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel) and its influence on neurological functioning and the possible benefits for child and adolescent behaviour, attention and neural networking.

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