The Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study

The Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle (AIBL) study aims to investigate the natural history of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), from preclinical onset to development of dementia. The study collects biospecimens, brain images and clinical and cognitive data into its databank with the aim to discover which biomarkers, cognitive characteristics, and health and lifestyle factors predict development and progression of symptomatic AD. 

  • AIBL launched 14 November 2006 and is the largest study of its kind in Australia. 
  • 15+ year prospective longitudinal study of cognition. 
  • Large-scale cohort study: 3000+ participants (minimum age 50 years). 
  • Participants with AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy volunteers. 
  • Focus on early detection, towards lifestyle interventions. 
  • All data is collected at two centres (40% subjects from Perth in Western Australia, 60% from Melbourne, Victoria). 
  • Techniques used include diagnostics and imaging (PET, MRI).
  • A multidisciplinary research team is drawn from partner organisations in Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane. 

Aims

  • The AIBL study has validated PET tracers to reveal the 30-year time scale of amyloid plaque accumulation in the brain in AD, and has supported development of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assays, culminating in receiving NATA accreditation to run the Roche Elecsys immunoassay for Amyloid beta 1-42, Phospho-tau and Total tau in CSF for Alzheimer’s disease. Now AIBL is looking for a less invasive and cheaper biofluid test for diagnostic purposes, for aiding disease staging, and for investigating underlying biochemical changes as potential therapeutic or diagnostic targets. Additionally, the AIBL study is introducing new PET tracers to investigate changes in hallmark pathologies within the brain environment.
  • Lifestyle data is also collected on AIBL participants, with an aim to find modifiable risk factors for disease onset and progression. Furthermore, disease onset and rates of change are investigated using extensive genetic datasets.

Research team

Members

Lead scientists

Research and technical staff

  • Ms Lucy Mackintosh (Neuropsychology Coordinator)
  • Dr Linh Miles (Research Officer)

Research assistants

  • Mr Alex Barac
  • Ms Aimee Brown
  • Ms Khryza Co
  • Mr Duy Dao
  • Dr Camilla Hume
  • Ms Natasha Mitchell
  • Ms Kelly Pertile
  • Ms Rebecca Rumble
  • Ms Hannah Sim
  • Mr Alexander Springall
  • Ms Christine Thai
  • Ms Priscilla Tjokrowijoto
  • Ms Eugenia Janice Tjondrorahardja
  • Mr Brett Trounson
  • Ms Joy Noelle Yumul

Collaborators

Take part in this project

Student applications

Students who are applying to study at The Florey can register their interest in this project. Refer to our step-by-step guide to help you with your application.

How to apply

Apply to be a participant

This project is open for expressions of interest from those wanting to take part in a clinical trial. Contact us to learn more about participating.

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Seeking participants

Accepting students

Publications

Fowler C, Rainey-Smith SR, Bird S, Bomke J, Bourgeat P, Brown BM, Burnham SC, Bush AI, Chadunow C, Collins S, Doecke J, Doré V, Ellis KA, Evered L, Fazlollashi A, Fripp J, Gardener SL, Gibson S, Grenfell R, Harrison E, Head R, Jin L, Kamer A, Lamb F, Lautenschlager NT, Laws SM, Li QX,Lim L, Lim YY, Louey A, Macaulay SL, Mackintosh L, Martins RN, Maruff P, Masters CL, McBride S, Milicic L, Peretti M, Pertile K, Porter T, Radler M, Rembach A, Robertson J, Rodrigues M, Rowe CC, Rumble R, Salvado O, Savage G, Silbert B, Soh M, Sohrabi HR, Taddei K, Taddei T, Thai C, Trounson B, Tyrrell R, Vacher M, Varghese S, Villemagne VL, Weinborn M, Woodward M, Xia Y, Ames D, and the AIBL investigators (2021), ‘Fifteen years of the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study: progress and observations from 2359 older adults spanning the spectrum from cognitive normality to Alzheimer’s disease’, Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports, 5: 443-468.

Contact us

Dr Christopher Fowler

Senior Research Officer
[email protected]