Plasma lipids, lipoproteins, fatty acids and free radical activity in Alzheimer’s Disease ($138,699)
The Clifford Craig Trust awarded $138,699 to Dr George Razay to assist ground breaking research into degenerative mental conditions affecting the elderly, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Dr Razay is senior lecturer in Geriatric Medicine at Launceston General Hospital and an acknowledged expert in gerontology.
Dr Razay is trying to identify risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. For instance, he is looking at the role of diet by studying whether there are abnormalities in blood lipids and fatty acids among patients with Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr Razay is also researching the relationship between brain dysfunction and insulin resistance in elderly patients with diabetes. This project has international significance as Diabetes Mellitus is a common condition affecting approximately 18% of people between 65 and 75 years of age, yet few studies of Diabetes and cognitive function in old people have previously been undertaken.
This research is also particularly relevant to the Tasmanian community. Australia’s elderly population is growing, and the proportion of elderly people per capita is higher in Tasmania than elsewhere in the country. If the risk factors can be identified, the research will have important implications in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Tasmania's Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust was established in 1991.