Brain Matters (The ISLAND Project)

Recent research has sparked global headlines suggesting the shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of dementia. But when a new study examining the same question reached a different conclusion, how should we interpret the evidence? In this final episode of Series 1, Neil Broomfield welcomes back guest researcher Emeritus Professor James Vickers, to unpack the findings from a number of major studies,...

Sleep apnoea affects millions of people and is often associated with loud snoring, disrupted sleep and daytime tiredness. But could it also influence memory and dementia risk? In this episode of Brain Matters , host Neil Broomfield speaks with sleep scientist Samantha Bramich about a recent Australian study that found people with obstructive sleep apnoea performed worse on memory tests and had a h...

Can a computer-based brain-training program really reduce the risk of dementia? In this episode of Brain Matters , host Neil Broomfield speaks with Dr Eddy Roccati about a recent headline claiming that specific cognitive training had an “astonishing” effect on dementia risk. Together, they unpack the research behind the story — a long-term analysis of the ACTIVE study, which followed older adults...

Can your daily coffee or tea help protect your brain? In this episode, we unpack a large long‑term study linking caffeinated drinks with lower dementia risk. With help from a researcher, we explore what the findings really mean, how strong they are, and why food and drink research is often more complex than the headlines suggest. Based on:  This Everyday Drink Is Linked to an 18% Lower Risk of Dem...

In this short introduction, we take a closer look at the ISLAND Project — the research initiative behind Brain Matters . Learn what ISLAND stands for, why it exists, and how it’s working with the Tasmanian community to better understand brain ageing and reduce dementia risk. Whether you're new to the project or already involved, this episode offers a clear overview of how research, lifestyle,...

Can staying socially connected help protect your brain? In this episode, we unpack research linking “social frailty” — including reduced social contact and participation — with dementia risk. With help from Dr Hannah Fair, Lecturer at Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, we explore what the study found, how it was conducted, and why it’s considered strong evidence. The focus isn’t just...

A recent headline claimed that most Alzheimer’s cases could be prevented by targeting a single gene. But what does the research behind this bold statement really show? In this episode, we unpack a large genetic study examining the role of the APOE gene in Alzheimer’s disease. With help from Emeritus Professor James Vickers, we explore genetic risk versus genetic destiny, what population‑level find...

Have you ever read a headline related to health and thought… Is this actually true? Or wondered whether that article in your news feed is genuinely helpful or just another case of hype, half‑truths, or misinformation?  That’s where Brain Matters can help, created by the team at the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre and coming to you from palawa/pakana land. Brain Matters is a short, e...