A dementia research centre in Tasmania has attracted AU$1 million in funding to further research into brain plasticity, it was announced on 19 September.
The Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre is part of the Menzies Research Institute, based at the University of Tasmania (UTAS).
The centre is home to the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project, a study on the potential for tertiary education later in life to protect against ageing-related cognitive decline and dementia.
More than 250 Tasmanians have already volunteered to take part and are currently studying a variety of UTAS courses, on-campus and by distance learning, across the state.
Thanks to a grant of $1m, the project can now continue recruiting participants, aged between 50 and 79 years, who will complete an annual four-hour cognitive assessment designed to provide scientists with data about changes in cognitive function.
The Wicking Centre is funded by the JO & JR Wicking Trust, UTAS and the Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmania.