A study of aspirin on age-associated changes in the brain
Retinal vascular imaging shows the appearance of blood vessels in the eye.
One of the aims of the ASPREE study is to examine whether or not aspirin helps to prevent a decline in brain function that is associated with ageing.
The ENVIS-ion (Aspirin for the prevention of cognitive decline in the Elderly: a Neuro-Vascular Imaging Study of ASPREE) study will determine the effect of aspirin on age-related changes in the small blood vessels in the brain and the decline in brain function.
Doctors currently use brain scans (known as MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to examine the small blood vessels in the brain and to measure early changes in brain structure that are associated with the decline in brain function, such as memory and thinking. However, not everyone in the general population can undergo an MRI examination; the procedure is lengthy, quite expensive and cannot be undertaken in those with metallic implants.
It is thought that changes in the small blood vessels in the brain are also associated with changes in the small blood vessels in the back of the eye. Retinal photography is a quick and easy examination that takes about 5-10 minutes using a special digital camera.
What participation involved
Just over 600 ASPREE participants in Melbourne and Canberra underwent retinal imaging, MRI scans and thinking and memory exercises in the ENVIS-ion sub-study. Many participants provided comparative MRI and retinal photographs three years later.
How to find out more about the ENVIS-ion study:
- Download the ENVIS-ion brochure.
- Ring 1800 728 745 (toll free from a landline)
Collaboration:
- Monash University
- Australian National University: Department of Geriatric Medicine and the Clinical Trials Unit at the Canberra Hospital
- Alfred Health
- The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA)
- The University of Queensland
- GP Associate Investigators
Funding:
- The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Updated 23.04.2019