RESEARCH that could lead to changes in the way diseases of old age will be treated is well under way at the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, part of Curtin University in Bentley.
Speaking during Medical Research Week (June 2-8), institute director John Mamo said one potentially groundbreaking line of work is exploring how regulating immune function could halt cancer progression and allow patients to live a good quality of life with a static tumour.
Other research is looking into the interplay between a person’s genetic make-up and environmental exposures and what puts people at heightened risk of developing cancer.
Neurological disorders are also under the spotlight, with research exploring the impact of capillary dysfunction on the brain.
“It makes sense that if you get change in the properties of vessels, it will influence brain function,” Professor Mamo said. “There has been very little research looking at regulation of brain capillaries, but there is evidence showing that as we age, capillaries tend to leak a bit and get inflamed.”
This could increase the risk of disorders such as Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and Parkinson’s.
“We are looking at what regulates these capillaries,” Professor Mamo said.
“Can you recover function if there is deterioration – and if you can, can you stop the rot, so to speak, and delay or even prevent the onset of diseases or arrest their progression?”
Professor Mamo’s research reveals some of the types of fats you eat can have an effect on brain capillaries. Diets high in saturated fats can increase the likelihood of a person developing Alzheimer’s.
To maintain good health, Professor Mamo advises following the dietary pattern recommended for heart health.
“The classic advice is to purchase food around the edges of the supermarket – fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meats and dairy, and to minimise your alcohol intake.
“There is no evidence that even moderate consumption of alcohol confers health benefits, which is probably not what people want to hear.”
