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, explore why their results differ, and discuss what this means for dementia prevention, vaccines, and brain health research more broadly.

This episode also marks the end of Series 1 of Brain Matters. We'll be taking a short break while we evaluate the podcast and explore ideas for the future. We'd love to hear your feedback and suggestions for Series 2 at [email protected] or by completing this short survey.

Thank you for listening and for joining us on our Brain Matters journey.

Brought to you by the ISLAND Project and Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania. To continue the discussion and for more information visit https://island.mooc.utas.edu.au.

Tell us what you have enjoyed, and what you would like to see more of, by completing this short survey: https://redcap.link/qgkcfcoy.

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 higher burden of dementia risk factors. Together, they unpack what the research found, explore possible links between sleep and brain health, and discuss why it's important to look beyond the headlines.

The conversation also covers common signs of sleep apnoea, current treatment options, and what this study can and cannot tell us about dementia risk.

Listen now to learn more about the role of sleep in brain health and why addressing sleep concerns may be an important step towards supporting your overall wellbeing.

Based on:

Article: Sleep Apnoea Tied to Memory Loss, Dementia Risk in Midlife

Paper: Associations of self-reported obstructive sleep apnea with cognition and dementia risk in cognitively unimpaired middle-aged adults 

Brought to you by the ISLAND Project and Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania. To continue the discussion and for more information visit https://island.mooc.utas.edu.au.

Tell us what you have enjoyed, and what you would like to see more of, by completing this short survey: https://redcap.link/qgkcfcoy.

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 for up to 20 years and found that one specific type of speed-of-processing training, when reinforced with booster sessions, was linked with a lower risk of diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. 

But does this mean all brain-training games prevent dementia? Not quite. Neil and Eddy slow down the headline, explore what kind of training was actually tested, discuss relative versus absolute risk, and consider what listeners should look for when judging brain-health claims in the news.

Based on:

New Scientist article: “Specific cognitive training has ‘astonishing’ effect on dementia risk”

Study: Impact of cognitive training on claims-based diagnosed dementia over 20 years: evidence from the ACTIVE study

Listener Reflection Questions

• Did hearing more about the study change how convincing the “brain training reduces dementia risk” headline felt to you — and why?
• Why does it matter whether a 25 per cent reduction is a relative reduction or an absolute reduction?
• What kinds of mentally stimulating activities do you already enjoy — and how do they fit into your wider brain-health habits?

Brought to you by the ISLAND Project and Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania. To continue the discussion and for more information visit https://island.mooc.utas.edu.au.

Tell us what you have enjoyed, and what you would like to see more of, by completing this short survey: https://redcap.link/qgkcfcoy.

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 Dementia, According to a 43-Year Study

Listener Reflection Questions 

1. Did this episode change how convincing the “coffee reduces dementia risk” headline felt to you — and why?
2. What other factors might explain why people who drink more coffee appeared to have lower dementia risk?
3. What’s one question you could ask next time you see a headline about food and health?

Brought to you by the ISLAND Project and Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania. To continue the discussion and for more information visit https://island.mooc.utas.edu.au.

Tell us what you have enjoyed, and what you would like to see more of, by completing this short survey: https://redcap.link/qgkcfcoy.

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, and community come together to support brain health.

To find out more you can visit: 

• The ISLAND Project website 
• The Preventing Dementia MOOC

Brought to you by the ISLAND Project and Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania. To continue the discussion and for more information visit https://island.mooc.utas.edu.au.

Tell us what you have enjoyed, and what you would like to see more of, by completing this short survey: https://redcap.link/qgkcfcoy.

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 on the results, but on how to recognise high‑quality research and what these findings mean in real life.

Based on the articles:

• Weaker social ties are linked to an increased dementia risk
• Chris Hemsworth's new show explores how socialising protects the brain | body+soul

Listener Reflection Questions

1. What features of this study made it feel more — or less — convincing compared to the research in previous episodes?
2. How is “social frailty” different from simply feeling lonely, and why might that distinction matter?
3. What signs will you now look for when deciding whether a study is strong or reliable?

Brought to you by the ISLAND Project and Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania. To continue the discussion and for more information visit https://island.mooc.utas.edu.au.

Tell us what you have enjoyed, and what you would like to see more of, by completing this short survey: https://redcap.link/qgkcfcoy.

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 findings mean for individuals, and how close — or far — this research is from real‑world treatments. The focus is on understanding the evidence without overstating hope or ignoring uncertainty. 

Based on:
 The Guardian (Jan 2026) – “Alzheimer’s therapies should target a particular gene, researchers say” 

Listener Reflection Questions

1. How did hearing more about how genetic risk is calculated change the way you interpreted the headline about APOE and Alzheimer’s?
2. What’s the difference between research that identifies risk and research that leads to treatment — and why does that distinction matter here?
3. When you see strong claims about genes and disease, what questions could you now ask to better judge what the research is really saying?

Brought to you by the ISLAND Project and Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania. To continue the discussion and for more information visit https://island.mooc.utas.edu.au.

Tell us what you have enjoyed, and what you would like to see more of, by completing this short survey: https://redcap.link/qgkcfcoy.

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, evidence‑based podcast that takes health headlines you’re seeing in the real world and asks a simple question: What does the research actually say?

Keep an eye out for new episodes dropping soon.

Brought to you by the ISLAND Project and Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania. To continue the discussion and for more information visit https://island.mooc.utas.edu.au.

Tell us what you have enjoyed, and what you would like to see more of, by completing this short survey: https://redcap.link/qgkcfcoy.