Dementia is one of the top five causes of death in Australia with an increasing incidence due to an aging population. Significant evidence points to oxidative stress (OS) as a major underlying factor in brain cell degeneration. Unfortunately, it is not known at what stage of life this OS begins in humans or what behaviours influence OS in the human brain. As OS underlies brain cell degeneration and the development of dementia, my current work will help to answer these questions and contribute to the development of strategies that will help maintain and improve brain and cellular function into older age.
