AU-ARROW – A study into lifestyle modifications
The Australian multidomain approach to reduce dementia risk by protecting brain health with lifestyle intervention.
The Australian multidomain approach to reduce dementia risk by protecting brain health with lifestyle intervention (AU-ARROW) study looks at whether lifestyle modifications might impact in a positive way on reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Recruitment of the 600 participants required for this two-year clinical trial commenced in February 2022 at two study sites in Perth at Alzheimer’s Research Australia and in Sydney at Macquarie University. Participants are randomised into one of two study arms – the Multidomain Lifestyle Intervention, or the Health Education and Coaching group.
Lifestyle modifications include aerobic exercise, resistance training and stretching, dietary changes, cognitive training sessions, medical monitoring and regular health education sessions. The aim is to recruit 600 participants, with 300 at Macquarie University in NSW and 300 at AARF in WA.
The AU-ARROW study is a member of the worldwide consortium, called World-Wide FINGERS (WW-FINGERS) and closely follows the protocol of the US-POINTER study (also a member of WW-FINGERS) to enable data sharing and greater international collaboration.
The AU-ARROW project is primarily funded by a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant, a US Alzheimer’s Association grant, and with funding from Alzheimer’s WA, the Lions Alzheimer’s Foundation, AARF, Macquarie University and Edith Cowan University. In addition to funding, AARF provides the research facilities for the WA arm of the study.
The impact
Research has shown that 12 potentially modifiable risk factors account for 40% of all dementias worldwide. The AU-ARROW study will discover more about how changing elements of your lifestyle may have a big impact on preventing symptoms.
