Dementia prevention within the ageing Japanese society

2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19449
• Research Institution: National Cancer Center Japan
• Principal Investigator: 阿部 サラ 国立研究開発法人国立がん研究センター, 社会と健康研究センター, 研究員 (60739530)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: Dementia / Japan

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

To date I have created the dementia nested case control data set using the JPHC Study cohort data and long-term care insurance data. We have had several meetings with experts and collaborators to discuss the study design.

The first manuscript on fish intake and dementia is nearly ready for submission after receiving critical advice from coauthors. Two other researchers have presented initial results of their studies with different modifiable exposures and disabling dementia as an outcome using the same data set. Other researchers are in the early analysis stages of their studies related to this project.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

The project is progressing rather smoothly. My first manuscript on fish intake and disabling dementia has been circulated among the coauthors and is being prepared for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. The initial plan for this project included studying the association between stress measured by cortisol (biomarker), however obtaining the biobank data may not be feasible due to language, cost and other barriers. The questionnaire includes psychosocial questions such as stress and therefore the study can still progress.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

This fiscal year 2020 summer (July-September) a) submit first manuscript on fish and disabling dementia b)submit proposal for second study.
In the second half of this fiscal year a) submit findings of the fish and disabling dementia study to an academic conference and b) strengthen knowledge in the field by attending a course or workshop on ageing, dementia, and psychosocial factors as underlying causes.

Causes of Carryover

I was planning on attending an international ageing conference in March 2020. However the conference was cancelled due to corona virus. Additionally one project objective related to data collection of biomarker data was shifted due to feasibility concerns.