Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions (Apr 2024)

The AUstralian multidomain Approach to Reduce dementia Risk by prOtecting brain health With lifestyle intervention study (AU‐ARROW): A study protocol for a single‐blind, multi‐site, randomized controlled trial

  • Samantha L. Gardener,
  • Stephanie J. Fuller,
  • Sharon L. Naismith,
  • Laura Baker,
  • Miia Kivipelto,
  • Victor L. Villemagne,
  • Stuart M. Grieve,
  • Paul Yates,
  • Stephanie R. Rainey‐Smith,
  • Juliana Chen,
  • Belinda Thompson,
  • Nicola J. Armstrong,
  • Malika G. Fernando,
  • Carolina Blagojevic Castro,
  • Silochna Meghwar,
  • Rema Raman,
  • Andrew Gleason,
  • Catriona Ireland,
  • Roger Clarnette,
  • Kaarin J. Anstey,
  • Kevin Taddei,
  • Manohar Garg,
  • Hamid R. Sohrabi,
  • Ralph N. Martins

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.12466
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 2
pp. n/a – n/a

Abstract

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Abstract INTRODUCTION The Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study (FINGER) led to the global dementia risk reduction initiative: World‐Wide FINGERS (WW‐FINGERS). As part of WW‐FINGERS, the Australian AU‐ARROW study mirrors aspects of FINGER, as well as US‐POINTER. METHOD AU‐ARROW is a randomized, single‐blind, multisite, 2‐year clinical trial (n = 600; aged 55–79). The multimodal lifestyle intervention group will engage in aerobic exercise, resistance training and stretching, dietary advice to encourage MIND diet adherence, BrainHQ cognitive training, and medical monitoring and health education. The Health Education and Coaching group will receive occasional health education sessions. The primary outcome measure is the change in a global composite cognitive score. Extra value will emanate from blood biomarker analysis, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and retinal biomarker tests. DISCUSSION The finalized AU‐ARROW protocol is expected to allow development of an evidence‐based innovative treatment plan to reduce cognitive decline and dementia risk, and effective transfer of research outcomes into Australian health policy. Highlights Study protocol for a single‐blind, randomized controlled trial, the AU‐ARROW Study. The AU‐ARROW Study is a member of the World‐Wide FINGERS (WW‐FINGERS) initiative. AU‐ARROW's primary outcome measure is change in a global composite cognitive score. Extra significance from amyloid PET imaging, brain MRI, and retinal biomarker tests. Leading to development of an innovative treatment plan to reduce cognitive decline.

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