ABOUT

Associate Professor Genevieve Steiner is an NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellow and Director of Research at NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University.

A/Prof Genevieve Steiner is a cognitive neuroscientist and her research spans the early detection, prevention, and treatment of memory and thinking problems in older people with the aim of reducing dementia risk and improving quality of life.  The research that A/Prof Steiner and her team conducts examines changes in the brain’s function and structure to discover biomarkers for dementia and test novel therapeutics that can provide early intervention.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology) with Examiners’ Commendation for Outstanding Thesis, University of Wollongong, 2015
  • Bachelor of Psychology (Honours, Class I), University of Wollongong, 2010
RESEARCH GOALS
  • Increase understanding of the biological bases of cognitive processes to improve diagnosis and treatment for people at risk of cognitive decline
  • Test natural therapies for the treatment and prevention of dementia
RESEARCH INTERESTS
  • Psychophysiology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Learning & Memory
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Neurogenetics
  • Psychology
  • Statistics
  • e-Learning Curriculum Design
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

A/Prof Steiner is currently a chief investigator on the following research projects:

Cannabidiol-rich extract for cognition in amnestic MCI is the world’s first clinical trial to test whether a medicinal cannabis formulation can improve memory in people with MCI.

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12 week trial of Sailuotong (SLT) for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is examining whether SLT, a standardised herbal medicine formula, can enhance memory and thinking in people with MCI.

Teaching an old brain new tricks is stimulating neuroplastic mechanisms in the brain to optimise cognitive training interventions so that their gains transfer to everyday living.

Behind the Brainwaves is a multi-modal biomarker study aimed at identifying inexpensive and noninvasive electrophysiological and neuroimaging biomarkers of early Alzheimer’s disease.

Revolutionising Dementia Care in South Western Sydney: Establishing the Healthy Brain Hub Multidisciplinary Memory Clinic is large project overseeing the development, pilot, feasibility assessment, and evaluation of a region-first multidisciplinary memory clinic.

A pilot clinical trial of the efficacy and safety of Cognition Support Formulation (BioCeuticals) on cognitive function in older adults with subjective cognitive complaints is testing whether 6 months supplementation (cf. placebo) of Cognition Support Formula can improve cognition and the brain activity in seniors experiencing cognitive difficulties.

Genetic determinants of EEG activity and the relationship with cognitive function is a series of genetic association studies exploring the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on resting state EEG activity in young adults, and the effects on cognition.

Targeted Education ApproaCH to improve Peritoneal Dialysis outcomes (TEACH-PD Trial) is a multi-disciplinary project involving the creation, delivery, and evaluation of a standardised curriculum for nurses on how to train patients to perform their own home dialysis (train the trainer).

A/Prof Steiner is also collaborating on a number of other projects:

  • Assessing Australian primary healthcare providers’ perceptions about dementia risk reduction
  • Development of a multidisciplinary core competencies for the Australian health and aged care workforce
  • Understanding complementary medicine use by Australians with dementia
  • The AUstralian-multidomain Approach to Reduce dementia Risk by prOtecting brain health With lifestyle intervention (AU-ARROW) study
  • The Self-management and HeAlth Promotion in early-stage dementia with e-learning for carers (eSHAPE) study
  • Identifying the effects of acupuncture on parasympathetic tone in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
  • Exploring the effects of acupuncture on brain function and descending pain pathways in women with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain
  • Understanding the effect of timing manipulations on autonomic and central nervous system responding to simple stimuli