Gene-environment interaction in healthy brain ageing and age related neurodegeneration [ 2006 - 2013 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Perminder Sachdev (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Margaret Wright ,  A/Pr Wei Wen ,  Dr Teresa Lee ,  Prof David Ames
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Brief description Healthy ageing is characterised by low level of disability, high cognitive and functional capacity, and an active engagement in life. The most important ingredient of healthy ageing is a healthy brain, bereft of age-related diseases and dysfunction. Brain ageing and brain diseases are determined by multiple genetic factors that interact with environmental influences. The genes are multiple, the majority of which have a small influence. This study is an attempt to identify some of these genes and investigate their interactions with environmental factors. It will use a unique resource, the NHMRC Australian Twin Registry (ATR) to identify elderly twins, and will also include the siblings of these twins so as to increase the ability to identify the important factors. The participants, who are listed on the ATR and recruited from NSW, Queensland and Victoria, will receive detailed neurological, psychiatric and cognitive assessments, and will undergo brain MRI scans. Their blood samples will be used to measure key chemicals that may affect brain ageing and to extract DNA for genetic tests. They will be followed-up every two years thereafter, and changes in their brain structure and cognitive functioning will be examined. Available statistical models will be used to examine gene-environment interactions and specific genes will be explored for their contribution to the additive genetic effects. This study will yield an important resource for national and international collaborations and has the potential to discover new genes.

Funding Amount $AUD 2,162,805.10

Funding Scheme NHMRC Strategic Awards

Notes ARC/NHMRC Ageing Well - Ageing Productively