Exciting research into the use of aspirin for reducing heart attacks, strokes and dementia

A consortium of researchers led by Monash University will receive more than $3.5 million in Australian Government funding for research into the use of aspirin for reducing heart attacks, strokes and dementia in older Australians.

The Federal Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop, welcomed the funding for the project, one of 13 projects into prevention and treatment of diseases of ageing to receive a total of almost $8 million in Australian Government funding for 2005 and beyond.

“Australia’s ageing population will offer many challenges and opportunities for our nation, as Australians live, on average, a third of a life longer than they did a century ago,” Ms Bishop said.

“Research will play a key role in informing our community about ways to ensure those extra years continue to be not just longer, but also healthier, than previous generations.

“Preventing or delaying the onset of chronic disease associated with ageing, and better managing these conditions will enable older Australians to continue contributing actively to their local community, and our society, throughout their whole life.

“The projects being funded have enormous potential to reduce the financial and human cost of degenerative and chronic disorders.

“Our country can be proud of our Australian researchers who are leading the world in an area which could make a significant difference to our quality of life as we grow older.”

The new funding is provided through the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Project Grants Scheme.

The aspirin project will involve a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of low dose aspirin in primary prevention of cardiovascular events and dementia in older people. Aspirin has been shown to prevent strokes and heart attacks, but previous trials contained very few older people, even though they are the group most at risk. The project will also explore whether aspirin can prevent dementia, which can be caused by repeated clots in large or small blood vessels.