The major aim of the project is to investigate the association between genetic, biochemical, brain imaging and neuropsychological factors that may contribute to cognitive decline and the development of Alzheimer's disease.
A variety of neuropsychological, imaging, biochemical, genetic and clinical analysis are being performed to generate a "high risk" profile for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Positron emission tomography (PET) is also being used to image the brain to identify hallmarks of the disease (ie beta amyloid deposition).
The major outcome of this project will be to determine whether a "high risk" biochemical and genetic profile exists in individuals that have a higher frequency of cognitive decline as determined by neuropsychological testing. In addition, results from the study will assess the possible predictive value of PET imaging for AD.
By developing accurate early diagnostic strategies, appropriate therapeutic or preventative interventions for AD can be implemented prior to disease onset.
The study recruits individuals with or without subjective memory complaints. The study group now totals 486 participants, and there are now 8 years of cognitive data on some of those participants.
A manuscript has been prepared on the relationship of subjective memory complaint to measures of quality of life and cognition, using the longitudinal data. The abstract was presented at the 20th Anniversary Cognitive Aging Conference in 2007.
PET scans have been performed on individuals to examine the effect of an AD-related genetic risk factor on brain glucose metabolism. These results were presented at an international conference (36th Annual Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine, 2006) and will be prepared for publication.
Also being investigated is the link between body mass index and risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by performing body fat analysis on the participants. This enables the examination of any association between body fat, cognitive decline, genetics and Alzheimer's related proteins in blood. An analysis of cholesterol, body composition and cognition has been completed and a manuscript is currently being prepared for publication. Abstracts were presented at the IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience 2007 and the Alzheimer's Australia National Conference 2007.
McCUSKER