Tackling one of our biggest health challenges
More than 400,000 Australians live with dementia. With no known cure, we need to better understand the underlying mechanisms driving age-related cognitive decline and dementia.
Lifestyle a critical factor
We know that up to 45% of the risk for developing dementia can be attributed to our lifestyle choices. Using cutting-edge neuroscience techniques, like MRI and EEG, we can now better understand the potential benefit of lifestyle and other factors on brain health.
Research to reduce risk and change lives
We use the latest neurobiological research to:
- investigate what happens in the brain during ageing to support people to maximise brain health, and
- support people to reduce their risk through lifestyle and behaviour change support.
We seek to reduce the risk of people developing dementia and find new ways to slow the progression of neurodegenerative disease.
Take part in research and help us answer important questions about the causes of cognitive decline in ageing and dementia and how it can be prevented.
Research projects
Please note that current studies have closed to participation. Please check back soon for new study opportunities.
LEISURE Study
Supporting participants to adopt lifestyle strategies shown to reduce dementia risk.
Psychology of habits for healthy brain ageing
We're investigating how we form habits that could reduce dementia risk and our flexibility with them.
Neuroscience of habits for healthy ageing
We're investigating how people form, then change, a new habit and which brain regions are involved, to support healthy ageing.
Dementia risk reduction research
Contributing to a greater understanding of healthy brain ageing.
Unlocking the potential of light therapy for brain health
Have you ever wondered how light can improve brain health? We're exploring this through the innovative use of Photobiomodulation Therapy.
Your lifestyle could be affecting your brain’s ‘brake system’ and putting you at a higher risk of dementia
Researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Thompson Institute believe lifestyle risk factors may be leaving chemical warning signs of decline in your brain – long before any symptoms of dementia play out.
Your lifestyle choices are already showing up on your brain and could be prematurely ageing it, study finds
New research from the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Thompson Institute has found a relationship between lifestyle choices that affect dementia risk, and early signs of ageing on the brain.
Brain scientist named Queensland Young Tall Poppy 2024
A University of the Sunshine Coast neuroscientist who is finding ways to reduce the risk of dementia in older people through lifestyle changes was last night named a Queensland Young Tall Poppy.
About us
The Healthy Brain Ageing Clinic research group addresses a previous gap in healthy brain ageing research. We combine cutting-edge cognitive neuroscience with psychology and lifestyle, to gain a more full picture of dementia risk. The team works with the community to maximise healthy ageing and reduce the impacts of dementia on people and families.
Contact the Healthy Brain Ageing Clinic by phone +61 7 5430 1133 or email HBA@usc.edu.au.
Our research team
Dr Sophie Andrews
Senior Lecturer in Healthy Brain Ageing and Neurocognition
Dr Thomas Pace
Associate Lecturer in Mental Health and Neuroscience
Dr Ciara Treacy
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Trauma and Ageing
Dr Jacob Levenstein
Research Fellow - Neuroimaging