Dr Katya Numbers

1. Dementia prevention is the primary focus of my research and a national health care priority in Australia. Although dementia is the second leading cause of death in older Australians, it is estimated that 40% of all dementia cases are preventable through the modification of lifestyle risk factors such as social isolation, diet, and exercise. This is where my research comes in. Specifically, I investigate the mediating role of depression and anxiety on risk factors associated with dementia. Previously it was assumed that the presence of increased neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia was a result of the disease (e.g., increasing loss of autonomy), but is now accepted psychiatric symptoms can play a causative role in the development of pathology.

2 I am interested in the intersection between older adults’ subjective experiences of cognitive decline and functional ability and their risk of future cognitive decline. My more recent research in this area models longitudinal trends in subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) for both participants and informants and examines the relationship between change in SCC and incident dementia using latent growth curve analyses. Additionally, I have been exploring the heritability of SCCs in large twin datasets. Furthermore, I am investigating if combining reports of memory concerns with signs of neuropsychiatric symptoms offers better predictions of dementia risk.

3. Finally, I am very actively involved in research and groups that aim to challenge negative stereotypes about ageing and dementia. A compelling body of data has emerged showing negative attitudes towards ageing pose a significant risk to physical health and psychological well-being in later life.  Not only do negative ageing attitudes predict worse health outcomes in older adults, but ageism promotes other forms of discrimination including social exclusion from important roles and relationships, which further fosters feelings of isolation and loneliness. This is important because increased isolation and loneliness are related to depression and anxiety, which in turn can result in cortisol related brain pathology