Research > Brain & Ageing Research Program
Study of Mental Activity and Resistance Training - The SMART Trial
Project Outlines and Aims
One of the key remaining Brain Reserve questions is the direction of causality: does increased mental activity lead to decreased dementia risk, or are individual with low activity levels actually experiencing early dementia symptoms? Our group has therefore been a prominent advocate for testing the ‘use it or lose it’ hypothesis in a randomized control trial. We have now joined forces with leading physical exercise researchers from the University of Sydney to propose a significant new clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of mental and physical exercise for the prevention of cognitive impairment.
Approximately 180 older individuals will be randomly allocated to one of four groups:
1. Memory series plus stretching and callisthenics
2. Memory series plus strengthening exercise
3. Memory and thinking exercises plus stretching and callisthenics
4. Memory and thinking exercises plus strengthening exercise
Each participant will complete supervised training in their condition for six months. Participants will have their cognitive abilities tested after 1 year to ascertain whether lasting benefits do occur. In addition, brain size and biochemistry will be assessed using sophisticated magnetic resonance imaging studies. Associated improvements in fitness, body fat, mood, risk for other chronic diseases, and independence and quality of life will also be measured.
Further information is available at: http://www.sswahs.nsw.gov.au/balmain/strong/research.htm#current_research
Brain & Ageing Staff
Dr Michael Valenzuela
Professor Perminder Sachdev
Professor Henry Brodaty
Dr Wei Wen
External Collaborators
Professor Maria Fiatarone Singh, University of Sydney (Lead Investigator)
Associate Professor Bernhard Baune, James Cook University
Associate Professor Nalin Singh, University of Sydney
Students
Ms Nicola Gates
Mr Chao Suo