Sydney Memory and Ageing Study

The Sydney Memory and Ageing Study (Sydney MAS) began in 2005 to examine the clinical characteristics and prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and related syndromes, and to determine the rate of change in cognitive function over time.

Non-demented community-dwelling individuals (N=1037) aged 70-90 were recruited from two areas of Sydney, following a random approach to 8,914 individuals on the electoral roll. They underwent detailed neuropsychiatric and medical assessments and donated a blood sample for clinical chemistry, proteomics and genomics. A knowledgeable informant was also interviewed. Structural MRI scans were performed on 554 individuals, and subgroups participated in studies of falls and balance, metabolic and inflammatory markers, functional MRI and prospective memory. The cohort is to be followed up with brief telephone reviews annually, and detailed assessments biannually.

Last update – 20/07/2017

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries Australia
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes 0 to 4,999
Ages 60 to 100
Brain related measures Behaviour|Cognitive function|Mental health|Neurological
Funtional rating Individual psychological
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Hip circumference|Waist circumference|Weight
Physical Cardiovascular|Hearing and Vision|Respiratory
Biological samples Blood|Saliva
Genotyping Gene screening
Brain imaging Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Brain banking Consent for brain donation
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Ethnic group|Housing and accommodation|Informal support|Marital status|Occupation and employment|Unpaid care
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names University of New South Wales
Current Sample Sizes 0 to 4,999

age at recruitment 70-90
last updated
recruitment period 2005-2007
estimated current sample size number value 540
cohort acronym Sydney MAS
start date 2005-2007
pi Professor Henry Brodaty
website https://cheba.unsw.edu.au/project/sydney-memory-and-ageing-study
contact details Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA)
NPI, Euroa Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital
Barker Street
Randwick NSW 2031, Australia
abstract  Sydney MAS began in 2005 to examine the clinical characteristics of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and related syndromes, and to determine the rate of change in cognitive function. 1,037 participants aged 70-90 were recruited.
funders  National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
contact email [email protected]
contact phone number 
estimated current sample size 0 to 4,999
sample sizes 1037