OATS Online
The Older Twin Study (OATS) design is considered the best method to determine the relative contributions of genetics and the environment for the cause of a disease from an observational study.
The Older Twin Study (OATS) design is considered the best method to determine the relative contributions of genetics and the environment for the cause of a disease from an observational study.
In relation to brain health and ageing and dementia, twins research has been significant in determining the proportion of risk of Alzheimer’s disease that can be attributed to our genetic makeup – compared to the proportion that can be attributed to lifestyle. Twin research looks at both identical (monozygotic) and non-identical (dizygotic) twins and takes advantage of the fact that identical twins share 100% of their genetic code, whereas non-identical twins share only approximately 50%.
By studying twins, we have been able to identify that approximately 60% of risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is attributable to the genes we are born with.
°Õ³ó±ðÌýOlder Australian Twins Study (OATS)Ìýbegan in 2007 to investigate genetic and environmental differences and how they relate to either healthy brain ageing or age-related neurocognitive disorders. It is the longest running and most comprehensive study of older twins in Australia and one of the most significant internationally.
OATS therefore continues to provide a unique opportunity to identify which specific factors contribute to health outcomes in older age, and how salient they are.Ìý
The Older Australian Twins Study (OATS), a 15-year study which investigates the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors on the brain health of twins, has taken advantage of increased use of technology to reach a far greater number of twins across Australia.Ìý
Advances in information technology – particularly the refinement of computer administered cognitive tests – allows researchers to carry out comprehensive and valid neuropsychological assessments with twins in their own home, using an online computer environment.Ìý
The move to an online platform will benefit twins research in the following ways:Ìý
"The depth and breadth of data collected in combination with the very large twin sample envisaged as part of taking the study online makes it unique in Australia and internationally."
Professor Perminder Sachdev AM
"I could do it at my own speed, and at a time that suited me, made it very flexible."Ìý
Mr Christopher Lovell
"It was a good idea. Doing it online is easier than paperwork. It was easier to answer, straight forward and there were no difficult questions. There were some technical things I had difficulty with and I called Amanda about it and she helped me."
Mr Peter Jones
"The process was interesting and it was almost a fun activity overall."
Mr Alexander Baitch
"I found it was all done really well. I found it easy to understand what was expected and how much time I’d have to give."
Ms Diane Winter
"I think it’s a great study and absolutely what we need as the population gets older. I think it’s really important to improve quality of life rather than quantity."Ìý
Ms Elizabeth Jessop
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, MD, PhD, FRANZCP, FAAHMS is a neuropsychiatrist and clinical head of theÌýNeuropsychiatric Institute,Ìýat the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney. He leads a program of research in brain ageing and dementia as co-director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Sydney. Professor Sachdev has led OATS from its inception in 2007, to date securing three federal grants to allow the commencement and continuation of the study. He is responsible for the overall recruitment, engagement, and dissemination strategies and for delivering the outcomes.
Professor Sachdev has led several other internationally influential and prominent longitudinal studies of ageing, the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, the Sydney Centenarian Study, and the Sydney Stroke Study. Like OATS, these studies focus on biomarkers, risk and protective factors and early diagnosis of dementia. He also leads three international consortia of longitudinal cohort studies of ageing and cognitive decline: COSMIC, a consortium of longitudinal studies of cognitive ageing around the world (n=42, participants >120,000), STROKOG, a consortium of studies of post-stroke cognitive disorders (n=26, participants >18,000), and ICC-Dementia (n=17,participants >5000).
Ìýis the Study Coordinator of the Older Australian Twins Study. Vibeke joined the team in 2017 and is responsible for the day-to-day coordination of the study. This involves providing direction to staff members and supervising students, liaising with services, such as Twins Research Australia, blood pathology services and brain (PET and MRI) scanning facilities. Vibeke also ensures that changes to our protocol is documented and has appropriate approvals from the Human Research Ethics Committee, that data collection occurs in accordance with our protocol, and analysis ready data files are managed and provided to the OATS Team and collaborators as appropriate. She facilitates liaison between investigators and keeps them abreast of progress and difficulties encountered. Vibeke enjoys mentoring and fostering junior staff and students. It is her passion to see medical research findings translate to improved health and wellbeing of society.Ìý
Prior to joining CHeBA, Dr Catts held a Post-Doctoral appointment at Neuroscience Research Australia, where she researched molecular and cellular pathology in blood and brain from individuals with schizophrenia. ÌýIn her role with OATS, she has expanded this expertise in molecular neurobiology of schizophrenia into neurodegeneration associated with ageing.
Ìýis a Research Assistant working for the Older Australian Twins Study (OATS).Ìý
Before joining OATS, Dr Selwood worked in health services research at the Australian Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI) at Macquarie University and in memory research at the National Insitute for Experimental Arts (NIEA) at ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Art & Design.ÌýShe has a PhD in Human Cognition and Brain Science from Macquarie University, focusing on collaborative remembering and close relationships in twins and siblings.
Ìýis a Conjoint Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychiatry, ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç and co-leader of the Neuropsychology Group at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA). She is also a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist at the Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital. Her research interests include heritability, and the genetic (G) and environmental (E) influences in the neuropsychological functions in older adults. Dr Lee is the managing Neuropsychologist for the neuropsychology component of CHeBA’s Older Australian Twins Study (OATS), a comprehensive three-centre study which examines the G and E contributions to cognitive ageing and dementia.
Ìýis the inaugural Chair of Intellectual Disability Mental Health at ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Sydney. He also heads the Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry within the School of Psychiatry at ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ. He is a clinician and academic with a background in neuropsychiatry.
Julian leads national initiatives in health care for people with intellectual and developmental disability. He works with Commonwealth and State Government Departments to improve health services for people with an intellectual or developmental disability. He sits on multiple Commonwealth and State Government Committees and provides advice to regulatory bodies in his area of expertise. Julian also develops and delivers courses in mental health and intellectual disability.
Julian is involved in diverse research programs that examine the health inequalities experienced by people with intellectual or developmental disability and design solutions to the issues arising. He is passionate about inclusive research practices and enjoys rich interdisciplinary collaborations.
Ìýis a Data Management Officer for the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA). With a background in information technology, Juan Carlo is a web developer and IT consultant for OATS Online.ÌýThe role involves working closely with CheBA researchers and external parties on enabling the study requirements of the platform to meet the needs of delivery and data collection securely and effectively.
Along with OATS, Juan Carlo is also a developer for the Maintain Your Brain (MYB) study at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, a large online clinical study that aims to reduce the risk for future Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia.
'sÌýmain research focus is to gain a better understanding of the genetic and environmental factors involved in ageing, longevity and age-related disease, including dementia. The genetic factors that may be involved include variation at the nucleotide level, epigenetic variation, epistasis and gene-environmental interactions. Current research is being undertaken using large population cohorts of older Australians and examining the genetic variation and environmental factors associated with ageing phenotypes. The establishment of collaborations with national and international investigators and consortia is enabling investigation of these age-related questions on a larger scale.
Ìýis a Research Fellow working within CHeBA’s Genetics & Epigenomics Group. Dr Thalamuthu’s research focus is on the analysis of large datasets, such as those belonging to CHeBA’s longitudinal studies and age-related phenotypes. He obtained his PhD in Statistics at the University of Madras, Chennai. One of Dr Thalamuthu’s favourite hobbies is listening to Tamil music which engages him in novel ways outside of his research.
ÌýAO MB BS MD DSc FRACP FRANZCP, FAHMS is a researcher, clinician, policy advisor and strong advocate for people with dementia and their carers.
At ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Sydney, Australia, he is Scientia Professor of Ageing and Mental Health, Co-Director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, holds the Montefiore Chair of Healthy Brain Ageing and is the Director of the Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration. As well as being a prolific researcher, he is a senior psychogeriatrician within Aged Care Psychiatry and Head of the Memory Disorders Clinic at Prince of Wales Hospital.
Professor Brodaty is the immediate past President of the International Psychogeriatric Association. ÌýHe is a member of the Expert Advisory Panel for NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Care and has served on several New South Wales and Commonwealth committees related to ageing and dementia. Henry is also the past chairman of Alzheimer's Disease International, representing over 100 national Alzheimer Associations and past president of Alzheimer's Australia (now Dementia Australia) and Alzheimer's Australia (NSW).
Publishing over 600 papers and book chapters, Henry is on the editorial board of several journals and has been the recipient of a number of awards. Henry's lifetime achievements have been recognized by becoming an officer of the Order of Australia in 2000 and in June 2016 as recipient of the international Ryman Prize for the world’s best development, advance or achievement that enhances quality of life for older people.
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Learn more about the Older Australian Twins Study.
If you and your twin are interested in participating, you can contact our team for more information email us atÌýtwins@unsw.edu.au.
CHeBA researchers anticipate that OATS Online will lead to significant advances in research outcomes not previously possible in relation to health and disease.