Timo Rantalainen
Exploration of the associations between cognitive performance and dual-tasking, gait and physical performance in community-dwelling older adults and individuals with Alzheimer's disease
![Portrait of Dr Timo Rantalainen](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.dementia.org.au%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fmedia_block_portrait%2Fpublic%2F2023-12%2FTimo-Rantalainen.jpg%3Fh%3D78126ddb%26itok%3DGQAhiuaC&w=750&q=75)
Award
Alzheimer's Australia Dementia Research Foundation - Victoria Project Grant
Status
Completed
Start Date
1 March 2017
About the project
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that affects memory and the ability to reason. It is recognised that mild cognitive impairment, that is decreases in memory, ability to learn, or short attention span, is a strong predictor of developing Alzheimer’s disease later on in life. Early intervention has been shown to lead to better quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s disease and therefore screening for risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease, such as mild cognitive impairment, could be expected to lead to better management and slower progression of the condition.
The purpose of this study is to explore brain, physical, and cognitive function in individuals with or without memory complaints, and individuals with diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease. The work is expected to help identify possible treatment targets, and refine screening tools to detect the signs of impending cognitive decline earlier and thus help enable improved care to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.