A Mediterranean Diet and Walking Intervention to Reduce Cognitive Decline and Dementia Risk in Independently Living Older Australians:The MedWalk Randomized Controlled Trial Experimental Protocol, Including COVID-19 Related Modifications and Baseline Characteristics.

Background:Several clinical trials have examined diet and physical activity lifestyle changes as mitigation strategies for risk factors linked to cognitive decline and dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease. However, the ability to modify these behaviors longer term, to impact cognitive health has remained elusive.Objective:The MedWalk trial’s primary aim is to investigate whether longer-term adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet and regular walking, delivered through motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy (MI-CBT), can reduce age-associated cognitive decline and other dementia risk factors in older, independently living individuals without cognitive impairment.Methods:MedWalk, a one-year cluster-randomized controlled trial across two Australian states, recruited 60–90-year-old people from independent living retirement villages and the wider community. Participants were assigned to either the MedWalk intervention or a control group (maintaining their usual diet and physical activity). The primary outcome is 12-month change in visual memory and learning assessed from errors on the Paired Associates Learning Task of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Secondary outcomes include cognition, mood, cardiovascular function, biomarkers related to nutrient status and cognitive decline, MI-CBT effectiveness, Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity, quality of life, cost-effectiveness, and health economic evaluation.Progress and Discussion:Although COVID-19 impacts over two years necessitated a reduced timeline and sample size, MedWalk retains sufficient power to address its aims and hypotheses. Baseline testing has been completed with 157 participants, who will be followed over 12 months. If successful, MedWalk will inform interventions that could substantially reduce dementia incidence and ameliorate cognitive decline in the community.<br/

The protein city of Legionnaires' disease

This photograph originally appeared in the 2013 Research student photography and image competition held to celebrate National Science Week (Aug 10-18). Blurb: This image represents the different protein profiles of two Legionella species; Legionella pneumophila and Legionella longbeachae, known to cause Legionnaires' disease. Legionella pneumophila accounts for majority of infections worldwide. However, the incidence of infection with Legionella longbeachae has been reported to be higher in Asia Pacific countries such as Australia and is also believed to be under-reported. Specific antibiotic administration is required for treatment of Legionnaires' disease and therefore a proper diagnosis is required for the correct antibiotic regimen. A diagnostic kit of high sensitivity, specificity and rapidity exists for diagnosis of infection with Legionella pneumophila but there is none for Legionella longbeachae. Proteins were extracted from organisms recognised by antibodies as foreign particles and labelled with a different fluorescent dye for each species to determine differentially expressed proteins. Each spot on the image represents one or more proteins. The proteins appearing yellow are similar in both species and the ones in green and red are specific to either of the species. This experiment was carried out to find proteins specific to Legionella longbeachae which could be targeted as biomarkers for the development of an improved diagnostic kit for diagnosis of infection with Legionella longbeachae

Immunoproteomic identification of biomarkers for diagnosis of legionellosis

Legionnaires' disease is difficult to distinguish from other types of pneumonia due to similar clinical manifestations, and several investigations have demonstrated the inadequacies of current diagnostic tests. This study aims at identifying biomarkers that can be used in an improved test, and, overall, it demonstrates that significant variations exist in the proteomes of Legionella species, which may be responsible for the differential immunogenic reactions observed. Although some proteins have been identified as potential biomarkers, a larger cohort of patients and further genomic information are required to validate the data. Therefore, these exploratory results serve as a basis for advanced research

Further Evidence of Benefits to Mood and Working Memory from Lipidated Curcumin in Healthy Older People: A 12-Week, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Partial Replication Study

Curcumin (a flavonoid isolated from turmeric) affects several processes involved in neurocognitive aging. We have previously reported that short term (4-weeks) administration of a highly bioavailable curcumin preparation (Longvida&copy;) improved working memory and reduced fatigue and stress reactivity in a healthy older cohort. The present trial (ACTRN12616000484448) was a partial replication study, evaluating similar effects at 4 and 12-weeks Longvida&copy; supplementation. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups trial was conducted. Eighty participants aged 50&ndash;80 years (mean = 68.1, SD = 6.34) were randomised to receive Longvida&copy; (400 mg daily containing 80 mg curcumin) or a matching placebo. Assessment took place at baseline then following 4 and 12 weeks treatment. Outcome measures included cognitive performance, mood and biomarkers. Compared with placebo, curcumin was associated with several significant effects. These included better working memory performance at 12-weeks (Serial Threes, Serial Sevens and performance on a virtual Morris Water Maze), and lower fatigue scores on the Profile of Mood States (POMS) at both 4 and 12-weeks, and of tension, anger, confusion and total mood disturbance at 4-weeks only. The curcumin group had significantly elevated blood glucose. These results confirm that Longvida&copy; improves aspects of mood and working memory in a healthy older cohort. The pattern of results is consistent with improvements in hippocampal function and may hold promise for alleviating cognitive decline in some populations