New Direction in Research Comparing Brain Health of Twins In 2021 OATS took advantage of technology with a move to an online platform, to reach twins residing outside of metropolitan areas. The launch of OATS Online will not only enable the inclusion of 1/3 of Australian twins living outside major cities but will also facilitate the study of differences in access to specialist health care, health seeking behaviour and other potential contributors to the shortened lifespan of people living in regional and rural areas. Commencing in 2007 to investigate genetic and environmental differences and how they relate to either healthy brain ageing or age-related neurocognitive disorders, the study takes advantage of the fact that identical twins share 100% of their genetic code, whereas non-identical twins share only approximately 50%. This means that twin studies provide a unique opportunity to identify which specific factors contribute, and which contribute the most, to health outcomes in older age. Study Coordinator and Research Manager at CHeBA, Dr Vibeke Catts, said that advances in information technology – particularly the refinement of computer administered cognitive tests - now allows researchers to carry out comprehensive and valid neuropsychological assessments with twins in their own home, using an online computer environment. This is something that was not feasible when the study was first launched. Converting to an online platform will also likely lead to policy change and improvements in health care.
Study Participants Shirley Holland and Pearly Hadaway The online version of the Older Australian Twins Study will retain a longitudinal design – which is a critical component in mapping progression to disorders of older age such as dementia - with planned neuropsychological assessments annually, as well as the collection of detailed lifestyle, mental activity, physical activity and dietary information. It will also continue to examine genetics. The Older Australian Twins Study Online is targeting recruitment of 1000 twin pairs for the online study with most participants expected to be healthy individuals living in the community. To find out more contact twins@unsw.edu.au
Sydney Memory and Ageing Study The Memory and Ageing Study (MAS) began in 2005 and officially concluded at the end of 2020, making it the largest running single cohort study of ageing in Australia. MAS is renowned for its data nationally and internationally largely because the study has followed the same cohort (e.g., study participants) continuously for almost 15 years. In that time, researchers have gathered a wealth of data around sociodemographic, clinical, neuropsychological, neuroimaging, biochemical, genetics, and proteomics factors associated with brain ageing. Using many data points from the same participants allowed us to look at individual changes over time and better understand what factors predict healthy cognitive ageing versus neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. MAS began in 2005 with a baseline sample of 1037 older Australians aged 70 – 90, without a dementia diagnosis at the time. Participants underwent extensive face-to-face assessments every two years (called a “Wave”), which included comprehensive neuropsychological testing, a medical examination, detailed medical history, blood
36
draws, genetic sequencing, and for some participants, brain imaging. Participant and their informants (close friend or family member) were also asked to complete questionnaires about sociodemographic, health, lifestyle, and other factors at each Wave. In December of 2020, when MAS concluded, 258 original participants remained active in the study. Although MAS is no longer actively testing participants it still contributes valuable data to research projects and student theses. To date, MAS data has contributed to 191 publications in in top-tier scientific journals, with 13 published in the last year alone. In 2021, 15 external research groups requested MAS data for new projects and MAS additionally contributed data to 7 international dementia and ageing consortia. There are currently 25 ILP, Honours, Masters and PhD candidates who are using MAS data as part of their research projects and theses. Highlights from 2021: • MAS Investigators and other internationally recognised experts completed and submitted an NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohorts grant to refresh
