Tackling one of our biggest health challenges
More than 400,000 Australians live with dementia. With no known cure, we need to better understand the underlying mechanisms driving age-related cognitive decline and dementia.
Lifestyle a critical factor
We know that 30-50% of the risk for developing dementia can be attributed to our lifestyle choices. Using cutting-edge neuroscience techniques, like MRI and EEG, we can now better understand the potential benefit of lifestyle and other factors on brain health.
Research to reduce risk and change lives
We use the latest neurobiological research to:
- investigate what happens in the brain during ageing to support people to maximise brain health, and
- support people to reduce their risk through lifestyle and behaviour change support.
We seek to reduce the risk of people developing dementia and find new ways to slow the progression of neurodegenerative disease.
Take part in research and help us answer important questions about the causes of cognitive decline in ageing and dementia and how it can be prevented.
Research studies
Photo-biomodulation therapy pilot study
We're exploring PBMT, a non-invasive modality which uses either visible red or near infrared light to stimulate, heal, and repair damaged or dying tissue cells.
Recruiting now
Psychology of habits for healthy brain ageing
We're investigating factors that impact how we form habits and our flexibility with them, to better understand how to maximise healthy brain ageing.
Recruiting now
Neuroscience of habits for healthy ageing
We're investigating how people form, then change, a new habit and which brain regions are involved, to support healthy ageing.
Recruiting now
LEISURE Study
Supporting participants to adopt lifestyle strategies shown to reduce dementia risk.
Recruitment is now closed
Dementia risk reduction research
We are seeking older adults to contribute to a greater understanding of healthy brain ageing.
Recruitment has now closed
About us
The Healthy Brain Ageing Clinic research group addresses a previous gap in healthy brain ageing research. We combine cutting-edge cognitive neuroscience with psychology and lifestyle, to gain a more full picture of dementia risk. The team works with the community to maximise healthy ageing and reduce the impacts of dementia on people and families.
Contact the Healthy Brain Ageing Clinic by phone +61 7 5430 1133 or email HBA@usc.edu.au.
Our research team
Dr Sophie Andrews
Senior Research Fellow – ARC DECRA Fellow; Lead – Healthy Brain Ageing Research Program, Thompson Institute
Dr Thomas Pace
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Healthy Brain Ageing
Ciara Treacy
Research Assistant, Healthy Brain Ageing Clinic, Thompson Institute
Dr Jacob Levenstein
Research Fellow - Neuroimaging