Monash University researcher seeks seniors for memory study

Sian Virtue-Griffiths - who is completing her doctorate in clinical neuropsychology at Monash University, is running the project and is looking for adults in the 65-85-year-old age bracket.

She said it was known that memory got worse as people grew older and the study was looking to understand why that happens.

Researchers are using a range of methods to examine the memory of participants including taking images of the brain with an MRI and recording the brain's activity using EEG - which involves placing a cap on the scull to examine memory.

Research also involves transcranial magnetic stimulation, which uses a magnetic field to activate specific regions of the brain.

Participants will be asked to perform a number of working memory tests.

"We're recording the natural profile of these regions, we're not seeking to increase or decrease memory," she said.

"We're just looking to see how the focalised regions that are involved in memory operate in older age."

Planning for the study commenced in 2017 and more than 115 younger volunteers ranging from 20-35 in age were assessed starting in January last year.

Researchers hope the study may pave the way for future research which could help to develop studies which may prevent memory loss in ageing people in the future.

In addition to a free MRI, all participants will receive $100 to thank them for their time.

Sian said so far, older people had proven more reluctant to take part in the study than younger participants.

She said the process was easy and non taxing on participants and urged people to come along.

"This is a very safe method and it's very exciting research," she said.

"We do pay a small amount of money, there is tea and biscuits and we're all very friendly at the lab."

People who are interested in taking part in the study and are able to get to Clayton to take part can call (03) 9905-4031 or email med-bmh-wm@monash.edu.