Christina Siwak, University of California Irvine

Chronic anitioxidant and mitochondrial cofactor administration improves discrimination learning in aged but not young dogs

In a collaborative effort, Dr. Siwak initiated a longitudinal study examining the effects of dietary antioxidant supplementation on cognition and behaviour using the dog as an animal model of brain aging. Her project examined the role of antioxidants in the biological mechanisms of brain aging.

Her research indicates that with proper nutrition and supplementation, the cognitive manifestations of brain aging may be improved to delay the need for health and social services in elderly people, extending the period of autonomy and independence.

According to her, dietary supplementation is directly transferable to humans; a clinical trial is currently recruiting subjects to assess the effects of antioxidants in Down's syndrome patients. This research will help in the treatment of age-related memory disorders affecting humans, including mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Dr. Siwak is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California in Irvine, and will be appointed to Assistant Research Scientist. Her research interests are in the area of brain aging and dementia. Her research project allowed her to learn about animal models of brain aging and will also allow her to directly translate her skills to human subjects. She plans to develop her own research program to study brain aging and dementia in humans.