A5076110414- Sleep and related disorders
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging
- Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea Research
- Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects
- EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Health and Medical Studies
- Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
- Neuroscience and Music Perception
- Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
- Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques
- Music Therapy and Health
The University of Sydney
2020-2025
Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology
2024-2025
National Health and Medical Research Council
2023-2025
Woolcock Institute of Medical Research
2020-2024
Macquarie University
2023-2024
UNSW Sydney
2021
Background Sleep disturbances are common in dementia but rarely studied memory clinics. Objective In a clinic setting we aimed to (1) identify rates of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), abnormal duration, circadian phase shift, insomnia, poor quality, and REM behavior disorder (RBD); (2) assess concordance between self-reported actigraphy-derived measures; investigate associations disturbances; (3) neuropsychological performance (4) cognitive status. Methods Adults over 50 at 2009–2024 were...
Introduction Melatonin has multiple proposed therapeutic benefits including antioxidant properties, synchronisation of the circadian system and lowering blood pressure. In this protocol, we outline a randomised controlled trial to assess feasibility, acceptability tolerability higher dose (25 mg) melatonin target brain oxidative stress sleep disturbance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods analysis The study design is double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group...
While depression is intrinsically and bidirectionally linked with both sleep disturbance cognition, the inter-relationships between sleep, brain integrity in older people depression, especially those late-onset are undefined. One hundred seventy-two adults (mean age 64.3 ± 6.9 years, Depression: n = 66, Control: 106) attending a memory clinic underwent neuropsychological battery of declarative memory, executive function tasks, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging overnight polysomnography...
Digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia has been developed to increase capacity and scalability patients with insomnia, but implementation in primary care remains limited. The aim of the trial was evaluate digital into practice insomnia. We conducted a single-arm feasibility (SleepFix) providing sleep restriction care. Healthcare professionals (comprising General Practitioners, community pharmacists nurses) were enrolled and, when deemed clinically appropriate, prescribed SleepFix...
ABSTRACT Melatonin has multiple proposed therapeutic benefits including antioxidant properties, circadian rhythm synchronisation and sleep promotion. Since these areas are also recognised risk factors for dementia, melatonin been hypothesised to slow cognitive decline in older adults. Participants with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) were recruited from the community a 12‐week randomised placebo‐controlled parallel, feasibility trial of 25 mg oral nightly. Primary outcomes feasibility,...
While digital health interventions (DHIs) can potentially address the unmet needs for sleep services, little is known about their implementation in practice. The current study aimed to explore primary care providers' attitudes and beliefs towards DHIs into practice.A cross-sectional online survey was administered Australian professionals: general practitioners (GPs), community nurses, pharmacists. Semi-structured interviews were conducted within a sub-sample of participants exploring...
Circadian rhythms alter with ageing and may be aetiologically linked to neurodegeneration. This study explored the association between clinical markers 1) dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) time 2) phase angle derived from sleep midpoint, in older adults varying dementia risks. Participants completed 14 days of actigraphy followed by in-lab measurement salivary melatonin, which DLMO were computed. Eighty participants (age = 65.5, SD 9.6), 44 males (55%), MMSE (28.6, 1.5) included analysis. Sex...
Summary While sleep disturbances are prevalent in older people and linked with poor health cognitive outcomes, screening for the range of is inefficient therefore not ideal nor routine memory cognition clinic settings. We aimed to develop validate a new brief self‐report questionnaire easy use within clinics. The design this study was cross‐sectional. Older adults (aged ≥50 Sydney, Australia) were recruited from research clinic. Participants ( N = 402, mean age 67.3 years, 50–86, 63.6%...
Abstract Introduction Digital cognitive behavioural therapy (dCBT) programs have been developed for insomnia to increase access treatment. However, these digital are not widely used in primary care settings. This study evaluated whether a (SleepFix mobile application) could be integrated into routine patients suffering from insomnia. Method A single-arm feasibility trial of SleepFix was conducted involving patients. delivered sleep restriction over six weeks improve efficiency. Health...
Abstract Background While sleep disturbances are prevalent in older people and linked with poor health cognitive outcomes, screening for the range of is inefficient therefore not ideal nor routine memory cognition clinic settings. We aimed to develop validate a new brief self‐report questionnaire easy use within clinics. Method Older adults (N = 402, mean age 67.3 years, 50‐86, 63.6% female) were recruited from research clinic. All participants completed comprehensive medical,...
Abstract Background Circadian rhythms are altered with ageing, mild cognitive impairment and dementia may be aetiologically linked to neurodegeneration. The gold standard measure of the circadian system is melatonin. This can measured using Dim‐Light Melatonin Onset (DLMO), which measures initial rise melatonin signalling preceding sleep. However, DLMO collection resource intensive, expensive not feasible within clinical environment. In older adults those ‘at risk’ for dementia, current...
Abstract Background Circadian disturbances are a common occurrence in older adult population but more prevalent people with dementia. For some individuals, these occurrences begin many years prior to the onset of clinical symptoms and have been suggested as potential risk factor. As light is primary synchroniser circadian system, current study aimed examine if 14‐day exposure could predict cognitive outcomes adults varying risks dementia at 2‐year follow‐up. Method The was retrospective...
Abstract Background Melatonin has multiple proposed therapeutic benefits including antioxidant properties, circadian rhythm synchronisation and sleep promotion. Since these areas are also recognised risk factors for dementia, melatonin been hypothesised to slow cognitive decline in older adults. Method Participants with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) were recruited from the community a 12‐week randomised placebo‐controlled parallel, feasibility trial of 25mg oral daily. Primary outcomes...
Abstract Introduction Melatonin has been hypothesised to slow cognitive decline in older adults due its proposed multiple therapeutic benefits. Methods Participants with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) were recruited from the community for a pilot 12-week randomised placebo-controlled trial of 25mg oral melatonin target brain oxidative stress and cognition. Primary outcomes feasibility, acceptability, tolerability. Secondary (magnetic resonance spectroscopy) cognition at 12 weeks. Results...
Abstract Introduction Digital health interventions (DHI) have the potential to address unmet sleep needs of patients in primary care. The current study explored care providers’ attitudes and beliefs towards DHIs for implementation into practice. Methods A mixed-methods was conducted a convenience sample service providers (GPs, nurses, pharmacists). An online survey captured participants’ scope practice DHIs. Associations between factors attributes were explored. subset participants...