Rossana Rosa Porto
Heat shock as an effective low-cost therapy for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Award
Dementia Australia Research Foundation Project Grant
Status
In progress
Start Date
1 March 2024
About the project
Recent research has shown heat therapy, in the form of saunas and hot tubs, may have beneficial effects against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and depression. Sauna frequency may also have benefits for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Dr Porto will build on these important findings and investigate the underlying mechanisms by which warming human body temperature may improve Alzheimer’s disease-related behavioural impairments and markers of disease in the brain. Mice genetically modified to mimic symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease will be divided into groups based on age, sex and treatment.
Those receiving the heat treatment will be exposed to heat two times a week for two months. They will then undergo behavioural tests that assess their memory, motor function, anxiety levels, sociability and sensorimotor function. Dr Porto will then analyse their brains and blood to understand the effects of heat therapy on Alzheimer’s disease-related brain changes. The findings may provide critical new markers for earlier diagnosis and shed a light on disease mechanisms that can be targeted to ease symptoms or even prevent disease progression.
Where are they now?
Dr Rossana Rosa Porto is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Behavioural Neuroscience laboratory, which is part of the School of Medicine at Western Sydney University.
