Monash University is seeking volunteers for astudy on how brain energy supply can affect mental processing efficiency and can set the stage for problems in older age, including cognitive impairment and dementia.

Approved participants will receive a $100 Coles-Myer voucher.

In the study, Monash researchers will:

1. Acquire comprehensive information about you and your life experiences, including information about your personal and family history, your physical and mental health

2. Measure your cognitive abilities like memory and problem solving

3. Scan your brain to measure dynamic changes in oxygen and glucose use in your brain.

Volunteering involves:

1. Completing an online survey (about 45mins)

2. Completing a cognitive assessment at Monash University (Clayton campus) (about 1.5-2hrs)

3. Completing a brain scan session (about 1.5hrs).

Criteria for participation:

Monash is recruiting right-handed individuals, aged 80-85, with no history of psychiatric illness.

As part of the online survey, you will complete a questionnaire which will determine your eligibility to participate. Eligibility is assessed to ensure that it is safe for the study team to scan you using simultaneous MRI PET.

Impact of volunteering

Your participation will allow Monash to understand the normal development of brain structure, function and energy use over the adult lifespan, and how it is related to a person’s abilities and life experiences. The team hopes to use this work to inform the development of early interventions for age-related cognitive decline.

How to volunteer or find out more”

Please contact the team at bit.ly/metconn, email [email protected] or phone (03) 99029786.