Professor Ralph Martins

Chair in Aging & Alzheimers Disease

Telephone: (61 8)  6304 5456  
Facsimile: (61 8)  6304 5851  
Email: r.martins@ecu.edu.au   
Campus: Joondalup  
Room: JO17.314  

 

Background

Professor Ralph Martins, Foundation Chair Ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease at Edith Cowan University, was appointed the Director of the Centre.  Ralph Martins graduated from University of Western Australia with a PhD in 1986. In 1987 he won a scholarship to Heidelberg University to work with Konrad Beyreuther. His collaborative seminal research involved isolating and characterising beta-amyloid and its precursor, the amyloid precursor protein (APP), which are now recognized as central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

He was the first to propose and demonstrate that the Alzheimer brain was under oxidative stress, which is now widely recognized by the Alzheimer research community. In 1989 he joined Professor Masters at Melbourne University where he was the first to isolate and characterize the molecular components of the neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. This led to an international patent and formation of a spin-off company, Alzhyme Pty Ltd. In 2001 he won a Media Fellowship with the ABC and was the first Media Fellow to have his work on the Science Show. In 2002 he won a Biotechnology Innovation Fund grant, which was matched by commercial funding. He established the Sir James McCusker Alzheimer’s Research Unit at Hollywood Hospital, whose research is directed at the cause(s), and development of diagnostics and treatments. He received the UWA "Excellence in Teaching Award - Post Graduate Research" for 2002 and in 2003 was appointed Senior Editor, for the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Editorial Board Member for Current Drug Targets CNS & Neurological Disease.

Edith Cowan University appointed him to the Inaugural Chair, Ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease in 2004. He has Adjunct Professorial positions and close ties with clinical academics with both the University of Western Australia and Thomas Jefferson University’s Farber Neurosciences Institute. He is instigator and director of the state government funded Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Care composed of researchers from 4 universities, 3 hospitals and 2 healthcare providers.

  • 2004-2006: Professor – Inaugural Chair, Ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia
  • 2004: Adjunct Professor School of Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences,University of Western Australia, Adjunct Professor, School of Biomedical Science
    Curtin University of Technology
  • 2001-2002: Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Neurogenetics,University of Western Australia, Hollywood Private Hospital, Western Australia
  • 2001-2004: Professor on Staff, Research Centre and Community Services,Universitas Peila Harapan, Karawaci, Tangerang, Indonesia
  • 1998-2003: Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Biomedical Science,Curtin University
  • 1997-2001: Senior Research Fellow in Surgery, Hollywood Private Hospital, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia
  • 1997-1998:Adjunct Teaching Fellow, Curtin University, Western Australia
  • 1990-1997: Research Fellow in Surgery, Hollywood Private Hospital, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia
  • 1989: Senior Research Officer, Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne
  • 1984-1988: Research Scientist, Department of Pathology, University of Western Australia
  • 1983-1988: Permanent Part-time Clinical Biochemist, Department of Pathology, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women
  • 1980-1984: Tutor of 2nd and 3rd year   medical students in Biochemistry at the University of Western Australia
  • 1979-1983: Demonstrator of 2nd year Biochemistry

Professional Memberships

  • 1980-1997; 2000-2004: Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • 1982-1997: Australian Society for Medical Research
  • 1984-2002: Australian Neuroscience Society
  • 1984-1991: Australian Nutrition Foundation
  • 1991-2002: Surgical Research Society of Australasia
  • 1991-2004: Australian Association of Gerontology (WA)
  • 1992-2004: Alzheimer’s Association (WA)
  • 1996-2004: Society of Neuroscience (USA)
  • 2000-2004: The Australian Menopause Society
  • 2002-2004: Human Genetics Society of Australia
  • 2003-2004: European Society of Human Genetics Dementia & Neurodegenerative DISeases Group (DANDIS)

Research Areas and Interests

Ralph's current research interests are focused on understanding the mechanisms and factor(s) leading to the abnormal release and deposition of βA4 in Alzheimer's disease.

Staff Qualifications

  • Doctorate, The University of Western Australia, 1986 .

Research

Recent Research Grants

  • Assess suitability of multiplexing,  Australian National University,  ANU - Dementia CRC - Grant,  2011,  $46,246.
  • Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (Round2): Early Diagnosis and Prevention - PROJECT 3 (ECUPO3) - Plasma IDE Measurement,  Dept of Health and Ageing,  Grant,  2011,  $60,433.
  • Evaluation of candidate biomarkers in platelets,  Australian National University,  ANU - Dementia CRC - Grant,  2011,  $33,995.
  • The Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle Study of Ageing - Round 2,  Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation,  Science Industry Endowment Fund Agreement,  2011,  $1,065,440.
  • Dementia Collaborative Research Council - Lipid Profiles in Alzheimer's Disease,  Australian National University,  ANU - Dementia CRC - Grant,  2011,  $36,000.
  • CCD Camera for Inverted Fluorescent Microscope in Alzheimer's and Melanoma Research,  National Health and Medical Research Council,  Equipment Grant,  2011,  $10,811.
  • Round 14 - Medical and health research infrastructure fund (MHRIF) 2010,  Medical and Health Research Infrastructure Fund,  MHRIF - Grant,  2011,  $42,757.
  • AIBL: Imaging and genetic study add-ons (ECU project: Genomic Studies - Candidate Gene Validation Stream),  Confidential,  Confidential,  2011,  $76,190.
  • Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (Round2): Early Diagnosis and Prevention - PROJECT 2 (ECUPO2) - Plasma apoE Measurement,  Dept of Health and Ageing,  Grant,  2011,  $34,000.
  • Neon Transfection System and Biomedical Research Grade -30oC Freezer for Alzheimer?s and Melanoma Research,  National Health and Medical Research Council,  Equipment Grant 2011,  2011,  $10,928.
  • Alzheimers Disease Research - McCusker Foundation,  The McCusker Foundation For Alzheimer`s Disease Research,  Grant,  2011,  $408,451.
  • The Effect of Human apoE Isoforms and apoE Receptors on the Clearance of Oligomeric A 42 by Hepatocytes In Vitro,  National Health and Medical Research Council,  Grant,  2011,  $280,776.
  • Enhancing Peripheral Clearance of Beta Amyloid as a Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease,  National Health and Medical Research Council,  Grant,  2011,  $373,208.
  • Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network,  Washington University,  Grant,  2011,  $158,637.
  • Developing a Zebrafish Model for Alzheimer's Disease,  The McCusker Foundation For Alzheimer`s Disease Research,  Scholarship,  2011,  $25,000.
  • Discovering Transcriptome and Cytome Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease in Isolated Buccal Cells,  Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation,  Scholarship,  2011,  $7,000.
  • Discovery and Validation of Alzheimers Biomarkers in Human Plasma,  National Health and Medical Research Council,  Project Grants,  2011,  $119,623.
  • Efffects Latrepirdine on Beta Amyloid Clearance, Aggregation and Neurodegeneration in Alzheimers Disease,  National Health and Medical Research Council,  Project Grants(**),  2011,  $150,873.
  • Proteomics for discovery of novel biomarkers,  Australian National University,  ANU - Dementia CRC - Grant,  2011,  $15,068.
  • Study of the Toxicity of Alzheimer's Ab, Both as a Peptide and a Fusion Protein, in Neuronal Cells and Yeast-Investigation Both the Cause of Toxicity and Means of Preventing It, Including Cellular Pro,  Centre of Excellence for Alzheimers Disease Research and Care,  Grant(**),  2010,  $5,250.
  • Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (Round2): Early Diagnosis and Prevention - PROJECT 2 (ECUPO2) - Plasma apoE Measurement,  Dept of Health and Ageing,  Grant(**),  2010,  $32,733.
  • Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (Round2): Early Diagnosis and Prevention - PROJECT 3 (ECUPO3) - Plasma IDE Measurement,  Dept of Health and Ageing,  Grant(**),  2010,  $59,267.
  • Discovering Transcriptome and Cytome Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease in Isolated Buccal Cells,  Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation,  Scholarship(**),  2010,  $7,000.
  • Round 13 Medical and Health Research Infrastructure Fund,  Medical and Health Research Infrastructure Fund,  MHRIF - Grant(**),  2010,  $36,150.
  • The Role of CD147 in the Clearance and Metabolism of Alzheimer's Beta Amyloid (AB),  Centre of Excellence for Alzheimers Disease Research and Care,  Grant(**),  2010,  $25,000.
  • Developing a Zebrafish Model for Alzheimer's Disease,  The McCusker Foundation For Alzheimer`s Disease Research,  Scholarship(**),  2010,  $25,000.
  • Diets to Defy Dementia,  Council On The Ageing (WA) Inc,  Grant(**),  2010,  $5,000.
  • Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network,  Washington University,  Grant(**),  2010,  $41,618.
  • Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care,  Department of Industry and Resources,  Centre of Excellence(**),  2010,  $50,000.
  • The role of gonadotropins in regulating the production of Alzheimer's beta amyloid,  National Health and Medical Research Council,  Grant - Projects(**),  2010,  $-497.
  • Do Combinations of Nutritional Supplements Help in the Prevention of Alzheimer's disease,  National Health and Medical Research Council,  Special Call Complementary & Alternative Medicine(**),  2010,  $149,341.
  • Detecting and preventing Alzheimer's Disease: Towards diet and lifestyle interventions,  Neurosciences Australia Ltd,  Flagship Collaboration Research Fund(**),  2010,  $376,167.
  • Study of the Toxicity of Alzheimer's Ab, Both as a Peptide and a Fusion Protein, in Neuronal Cells and Yeast-Investigation Both the Cause of Toxicity and Means of Preventing It, Including Cellular Pro,  Centre of Excellence for Alzheimers Disease Research and Care,  Grant,  2009,  $10,500.
  • The role of APOE as a modulator in recovery from traumatic head injury,  Road Safety Council of WA,  Neurotrauma Research Program,  2009,  $44,000.
  • Factors that Modulate Testosterone Action on Cognition,  Well Men Centres Pty Ltd,  Fellowship,  2009,  $68,557.
  • Dementia Collaborative Research Centre: Prevention, Early Intervention and Risk Reduction,  Australian National University,  Centre of Execellence,  2009,  $52,000.
  • Do Combinations of Nutritional Supplements Help in the Prevention of Alzheimer's disease,  National Health & Medical Research Council,  Special Call Complementary & Alternative Medicine,  2009,  $207,869.
  • The Role of CD147 in the Clearance and Metabolism of Alzheimer's Beta Amyloid (AB),  Centre of Excellence for Alzheimers Disease Research and Care,  Grant,  2009,  $25,000.
  • Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care,  Department of Industry & Resources,  Centre of Execellence,  2009,  $90,000.
  • The role of gonadotropins in regulating the production of Alzheimer's beta amyloid,  National Health & Medical Research Council,  Grant - Projects,  2009,  $115,429.
  • Alzheimers Disease Research - McCusker Foundation,  The McCusker Foundation For Alzheimer`s Disease Research,  Grant,  2009,  $365,750.
  • Truncating presenilin mutations and their effects on gamma-secretase activity, tau and beta-catenin,  University of Adelaide,  NHMRC - Grant,  2009,  $68,792.
  • Detecting and preventing Alzheimer's Disease: Towards diet and lifestyle interventions,  Neurosciences Australia Ltd,  Flagship Collaboration Research Fund,  2009,  $441,265.
  • Alzheimers Disease Research - McCusker Foundation,  The McCusker Foundation For Alzheimer`s Disease Research,  Grant,  2008,  $157,000.
  • Truncating presenilin mutations and their effects on gamma-secretase activity, tau and beta-catenin,  University of Adelaide,  NHMRC - Grant,  2008,  $69,552.
  • Dementia Collaborative Research Centre: Prevention, Early Intervention and Risk Reduction,  Australian National University,  Centre of Execellence,  2008,  $102,000.
  • The role of APOE as a modulator in recovery from traumatic head injury,  Road Safety Council of WA,  Neurotrauma Research Program,  2008,  $42,000.
  • Do Combinations of Nutritional Supplements Help in the Prevention of Alzheimer's disease,  National Health & Medical Research Council,  Special Call Complementary & Alternative Medicine,  2008,  $127,465.
  • Round 11 of the Medical & Health Research Infrastructure Fund,  Medical and Health Research Infrastructure Fund,  Grant,  2008,  $16,645.
  • The Role of CD147 in the Clearance and Metabolism of Alzheimer's Beta Amyloid (AB),  Centre of Excellence for Alzheimers Disease Research and Care,  Grant,  2008,  $25,000.
  • Round 12 Medical and Health Research Infrastructure Fund,  Medical and Health Research Infrastructure Fund,  Grant,  2008,  $24,648.
  • Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care,  Department of Industry & Resources,  Centre of Execellence,  2008,  $345,000.
  • Detecting and preventing Alzheimer's Disease: Towards diet and lifestyle interventions,  Neurosciences Australia Ltd,  Flagship Collaboration Research Fund,  2008,  $342,181.
  • Keeping the aged healthy, happy and independent through physical and cognitive exercise,  J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust,  Grant,  2008,  $123,000.
  • The role of gonadotropins in regulating the production of Alzheimer's beta amyloid,  National Health & Medical Research Council,  Grant - Projects,  2008,  $284,849.
  • Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care,  Department of Industry & Resources,  Centre of Execellence,  2007,  $501,747.
  • Dementia Collaborative Research Centre: Prevention, Early Intervention and Risk Reduction,  Australian National University,  Centre of Execellence,  2007,  $161,000.
  • The role of APOE as a modulator in recovery from traumatic head injury,  Road Safety Council of WA,  Neurotrauma Research Program,  2007,  $40,000.
  • Alzheimers Disease Research - McCusker Foundation,  The McCusker Foundation For Alzheimer`s Disease Research,  Grant,  2007,  $390,144.
  • Novel peptides as inhibitors of human beta amyloid function (Stage 2),  Alzhyme Pty Ltd,  Grant,  2007,  $13,794.
  • Molecular & neuropsychological predictive markers of cognitive decline,  National Health & Medical Research Council,  Grant,  2007,  $120,750.
  • Keeping the aged healthy, happy and independent through physical and cognitive exercise,  J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust,  Grant,  2007,  $167,500.
  • Detecting and preventing Alzheimer's Disease: Towards diet and lifestyle interventions,  Neurosciences Australia Ltd,  Flagship Collaboration Research Fund,  2007,  $125,882.
  • Alzheimers Disease Research - McCusker Foundation,  The McCusker Foundation For Alzheimer`s Disease Research,  Grant,  2006,  $105,019.
  • Novel peptides as inhibitors of human beta amyloid function (Stage 2),  Alzhyme Pty Ltd,  Grant,  2006,  $21,813.
  • Cholesterol, high fat diets, exercise and cholesterol lowering drugs on beta-amyloid clearance and deposition in brains on Alzheimer's disease transgenic mice,  Hollywood Private Hospital,  Grant,  2006,  $9,455.
  • McCusker Therapeutic Research - Clinical trial,  The McCusker Foundation For Alzheimer`s Disease Research,  Grant,  2006,  $242,417.
  • Molecular & neuropsychological predictive markers of cognitive decline,  National Health & Medical Research Council,  Grant,  2006,  $126,500.
  • Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care,  Department of Industry & Resources,  Centre of Execellence,  2006,  $443,439.
  • Keeping the aged healthy, happy and independent through physical and cognitive exercise,  J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust,  Grant,  2005,  $155,600.
  • McCusker Therapeutic Research - Clinical trial,  The McCusker Foundation For Alzheimer`s Disease Research,  Grant,  2005,  $79,845.
  • Novel peptides as inhibitors of human beta amyloid function (Stage 2),  Alzhyme Pty Ltd,  Grant,  2005,  $77,600.
  • Using gonadotropin lowering agents to reduce levels of beta amyloid in an alzheimer's disease mouse model,  J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust,  Grant,  2005,  $25,000.
  • Biophysical tools for molecular interactions (Biacore),  University of Western Australia,  Grant - Linkage (Infrastructure),  2005,  $352,000.
  • Corbett Research 'RotorGene' 2 channel real-time DNA multiplexing system,  Ramaciotti Foundations,  Grant,  2005,  $30,000.
  • Molecular & neuropsychological predictive markers of cognitive decline,  National Health & Medical Research Council,  Grant,  2005,  $176,500.
  • Novel peptides as inhibitors of human beta amyloid function,  Alzhyme Pty Ltd,  Grant,  2005,  $22,264.
  • Exercise, prevention and the pathogenesis of AD,  American Health Assistance Foundation,  Grant,  2005,  .

Recent Publications (within the last five years)

Book Chapters

  • Maczurek, A., Krautwald, M., Steele, M., Hager, K., Kenklies, M., Sharman, M., Martins, R., Engel, J., Carlson, D., Munch, G., (2010), Lipoic Acid as a Novel Treatment for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early-Stage Alzheimer?s Disease. Micronutrients and Brain Health, 133-148, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
  • Verdile, G., Martins, R., (2009), The role of gonadotropins and testosterone in the regulation of beta amyloid metabolism. Hormones, Cognition and Dementia: State of the Art and Emergent Therapeutic Strategies, 259-268, New York, USA.
  • Verdile, G., Martins, R., (2009), Molecular Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease. Molecular Biology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, 23(1), 229-276, Berlin, Germany, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-85383-1_8.

Journal Articles

  • Hata, S., Taniguchi, M., Piao, Y., Ikeuchi, T., Fagan, A., Holtzman, D., Bateman, R., Sohrabi, H., Martins, R., Gandy, S., Urakami, K., Suzuki, T., (2012), Multiple ?-secretase product peptides are coordinately increased in concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid of a subpopulation of sporadic Alzheimer?s disease subjects. Molecular Neurodegeneration, 7(16), 18, United Kingdom.
  • Sohrabi, H., Bates, K., Weinborn, M., Johnston, A., Bahramian, A., Taddei, K., Laws, S., Rodrigues, M., Morici, M., Howard, M., Martins, G., Mackay-Sim, A., Gandy, S., Martins, R., (2012), Olfactory discrimination predicts cognitive decline amongst community-dwelling older adults. J Transl. Psychiatry, 2(e118), 7, DOI: 10.1038/tp.2012.43.
  • Lau, S., Bates, KA., Sohrabi, H., Rodrigues, M., Martins, G., Dhaliwa, S., Taddei, K., Laws, S., Martins, I., Mastaglia, F., Foster, J., Phillips, J., Martins, R., (2012), Functional effects of genetic polymorphism in inflammatory genes in subjective memory complainers. Neurobiology of Aging, 33(6), 1054-6, United States, DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2010.09.003.
  • Sohrabi, H., Weinborn, M., Badcock, J., Bates, K., Clarnette, R., Trivedi, D., Verdile, G., Sutton, T., Lenzo, N., Gandy, S., Martins, R., (2011), New lexicon and criteria for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Lancet Neurology, 10(4), 299-300, DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(11)70056-4.
  • Kanyenda, L., Verdile, G., Boulos, S., Krishnaswamy, S., Taddei, K., Meloni, BP., Mastaglia, FL., Martins, R., (2011), The dynamics of CD147 in Alzheimer's disease development and pathology. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 26(4), 593-605, Netherlands, DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2011-110584.
  • Pike, K., Ellis, KA., Villemagne, VL., Good, N., Chetelat, G., Ames, D., Szoeke, C., Laws, S., Verdile, G., Martins, R., Masters, CL., Rowe, CC., (2011), Cognition and beta-amyloid in preclinical Alzheimer's disease: Data from the AIBL study. Neuropsychologia, 49(9), 2384-2390, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2011.04.012.
  • Newman, M., Verdile, G., Martins, R., Lardelli, M., (2011), Zebrafish as a tool in Alzheimer's disease research. BBA: Molecular Basis of Disease, 1812(3), 346-352, DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2010.09.012.
  • Sittironnarit, G., Ames, D., Bush, A., Faux, N., Flicker, L., Foster, J., Hilmer, S., Lautenschlager, N., Maruff, P., Masters, C., Martins, R., Rowe, C., Szoeke, C., Ellis, K., (2011), Effects of Anticholinergic Drugs on Cognitive Function in Older Australians: results from the AIBL study. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 31(3), 173-178, DOI: 10.1159/000325171.
  • Avdesh, A., Martin-Iverson, MT., Mondal, A., Chen, M., Askraba, S., Morgan, N., Lardelli, M., Ladelli, M., Groth, DM., Verdile, G., Martins, R., (2011), Evaluation of Color Preference in Zebrafishfor Learning and Memory. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 28(2), 459-469, USA, DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2011-110704.
  • Wahjoepramono, EJ., Wijaya, L., Taddei, K., Bates, K., Howard, M., Martins, G., De Ruyck, K., Matthews, P., Verdile, G., Martins, R., (2011), Direct Exposure of Guinea Pig CNS to Human Luteinizing Hormone Increases Cerebrospinal Fluid and Cerebral Beta Amyloid Levels. Neuroendocrinology: international journal for basic and clinical studies on neuroendocrine relationships, 94(4), 313-322, DOI: 10.1159/000330812.
  • Gupta, V., Laws, S., Villemagne, V., Ames, D., Bush, A., Ellis, K., Lui, J., Masters, C., Rowe, C., Szoeke, C., Taddei, K., Martins, R., (2011), Plasma apolipoprotein e and Alzheimer disease risk: The AIBL study of aging. Neurology, 76(12), 1091-1098, DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e318211c352.
  • Mattsson, N., Andreasson, U., Persson, S., Arai, H., Batish, SD., Bernardini, S., Bocchio-Chiavetto, L., Blankenstein, MA., Carrillo, MC., Chalbot, S., Coart, E., Chiasserini, D., Cutler, N., Dahlfors, G., Duller, S., Fagan, AM., Forlenza, O., Frisone , GB., Galasko, D., Galimberti, D., Hampel, H., Handberg, A., Heneka, MT., Herskovits, AZ., Herukka , S., Holtzmann, DM., Humpel, C., Hyman, B., Iqbal, K., Jucker, M., Kaeser , S., Kaiser, E., Kapaki, E., Kidd, D., Kilvenyi, P., Knudsen, CS., Kummer, M., Lui, J., Llado, A., Lewczuk, P., Li, Q., Martins, R., Masters, C., McAuliffe, J., Mercken, M., Moghekar, A., Molinuevo, JL., Montine, TJ., Nowatzke, W., O'Brien, R., Otto, M., Paraskevas, GP., Parnetti, L., Petersen, RC., Prvulovic, D., De Reus, HP., Rissman, RA., Scarpini, E., Stefani, A., Soininen, H., Schroeder , J., Shaw, LM., Skinningsrud, A., Skrogstad, B., Spreer, A., Talib, L., Teunissen, C., Trojanowski, JQ., Tunami, H., Umek, RM., Van Broeck, B., Vanderstichele, H., Vecsei, L., Verbeek, M., Windisch, M., Zhang, J., Zetterberg, H., Blennow, K., (2011), The Alzheimer's Association external quality control program for cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. Alzheimers and Dementia, 7(4), 386-395, United States, DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.05.2243.
  • Faux, NG., Ellis, KA., Porter, L., Fowler, CJ., Laws, S., Martins, R., Pertile, K., Rembach, A., Rowe, CC., Rumble, RL., Szoeke, C., Taddei, K., Taddei, T., Trounson, BO., Villemagne, VL., Ward, V., Ames, D., Masters, CL., Bush, A., (2011), Homocysteine, Vitamin B12, and Folic Acid Levels in Alzheimer's Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Healthy Elderly: Baseline Characteristics in Subjects of the Australian Imaging Biomarker Lifestyle Study. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 27(4), 909-922 , Netherlands, DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2011-I10752.
  • Villemagne, VL., Pike, KE., Chetelat, G., Ellis, KA., Mulligan, RS., Bourgeat, P., Ackermann, U., Jones, G., Szoeke, C., Salvado, O., Martins, R., O'Keefe, G., Mathis, CA., Klunk, WE., Ames, D., Masters, CL., Rowe, CC., (2011), Longitudinal assessment of A? and cognition in aging and Alzheimer disease. Annals of Neurology, 69(1), 181-192, DOI: 10.1002/ana.22248.
  • Lambert, J., Dallongeville, J., Ellis, KA., Schraen-Maschke, S., Lui, J., Laws, S., Dumont, J., Richard, F., Cottel, D., Berr, C., Ames, D., Masters, CL., Rowe, CC., Szoeke, C., Tzourio, C., Dartigues, J., Buee, L., Martins, R., Amouyel, P., (2011), Association of plasma A? peptides with blood pressure in the elderly. PLoS One, 6(4), e18536, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018536.
  • McBride, SJ., Szoeke, CE., Good, NM., Ames, D., Martins, R., Masters, CL., Maruff, PT., Rowe, CC., Savage, G., Ellis, KA., (2011), A web-based normative data tool for assessing cognitive performance in healthy older Australians. Medical Journal of Australia, 194(4), S12-S14, Australia.
  • Avdesh, ., Wong, P., Martins, R., Martin-Iverson, MT., (2011), Memory function in a mouse genetic model of Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 25(3), 433-444, Netherlands, DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2011-101944.
  • Ellis, KA., Rowe, CC., Szoeke, CE., Villemagne, VL., Ames, D., Chetelat, G., Martins, R., Masters, CL., Fripp, J., Acosta, O., Raniga, P., Bourgeat, PT., Salvado, O., (2011), Advances in structural and molecular neuroimaging in Alzheimer's disease. Medical Journal of Australia, 194(4), S20-S23, Australia.
  • Chetelat, G., Villemagne, VL., Pike, KE., Ellis, KA., Bourgeat, P., Jones, G., O'Keefe, GJ., Salvado, O., Szoeke, C., Martins, R., Ames, D., Masters, CL., Rowe, CC., (2011), Independent contribution of temporal ?-amyloid deposition to memory decline in the pre-dementia phase of Alzheimer's disease. Brain, 134(3), 798-807, United Kingdom, DOI: 10.1093/brain/awq383.
  • Ford, A., Flicker, L., Alfonso, H., Thomas, J., Clarnette, R., Martins, R., Almeida, O., (2010), Vitamins B??, B?, and folic acid for cognition in older men. Neurology, 75(17), 1540-1547, United States, DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181f962c4.
  • Barron, A., Verdile, G., Taddei, K., Bates, K., Martins, R., (2010), Effect of Chronic hCG Administration on Alzheimer's-Related Cognition and A? accumulation in PS1KI mice. Endocrinology, 151(11), 5380?5388, United States, DOI: 10.1210/en.2009-1168.
  • Sharman, M., Shui, G., Fernandis, A., Lim, WL., Berger, T., Hone, E., Taddei, K., Martins, I., Ghiso, J., Buxbaum, JD., Gandy, S., Wenk, M., Martins, R., (2010), Profiling brain and plasma lipids in human APOE ?2, ?3 and ?4 knock-in mice using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 20(1), 105-111, Netherlands, DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2010-1348.
  • Lau, S., Bates, K., Sohrabi, H., Rodrigues, M., Martins, G., Dhaliwal, S., Taddei, K., Laws, S., Martins, I., Mastaglia, F., Foster, J., Phillips, J., Martins, R., (2010), Functional effects of genetic polymorphism in inflammatory genes in subjective memory complainers. Neurobiology of Aging, n/a(n/a), n/a, United States, DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2010.09.003.
  • Lui, J., Laws, S., Li, Q., Villemagne, V., Ames, D., Brown, B., Bush, A., De Ruyck, K., Dromey, J., Ellis, K., Faux, N., Foster, J., Fowler, C., Gupta, V., Hudson, P., Laughton, K., Masters, C., Pertile, K., Rembach, A., Rimajova, M., Rodrigues, M., Rowe, C., Rumble, R., Szoecke, C., Taddei, K., Taddei, T., Trounson, B., Ward, V., Martins, R., (2010), Plasma amyloid-? as a biomarker in Alzheimer?s disease: the AIBL study of aging. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 20(4), 1233-1242, Netherlands, DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2010-090249.
  • Bharadwaj, P., Martins, R., Macreadie, I., (2010), Yeast as a model for studying Alzheimer's disease. F E M S Yeast Research, 10(8), 961?969, United Kingdom, DOI: 10.1111/j.1567-1364.2010.00658.x.
  • Peiffer, J., Galvao, D., Gibbs, Z., Smith, K., Turner, D., Foster, J., Martins, R., Newton, R., (2010), Strength and Functional Characteristics of Men and women 65 Years and Older. Rejuvenation Research, 13(1), 75-82, United States, DOI: 10.1089/rej.2009.0916.
  • Frost, S., Martins, R., Kanagasingam, Y., (2010), Ocular biomarkers for early detection of Alzheimer's Disease. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 22(1), 1-16, Netherlands, DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2020-100819.
  • Jenner, A., Lim, FW., Ng, M., Wenk, MR., Shui, G., Sharman, M., Gandy, S., Martins, R., (2010), The effect of APOE genotype on brain levels of oxysterols in young and old human APOE ?2,?3 and ?4 knock-in mice. Neuroscience, 169(1), 109-115, United Kingdom, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.04.026.
  • Miklossy, J., Qing, H., Radenovic, A., Kis, A., Vileno, B., Laszlo, F., Miller, L., Martins, R., Waeber, G., Mooser, V., Bosman, F., Khalili, K., Darbinian, N., McGeer, P., (2010), Beta amyloid and hyperphosphorylated tau deposits in the pancreas in type 2 diabetes. Neurobiology of Aging, 31(9), 1503-1515, United States, DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2008.08.019.
  • Chetelat, G., Villemagne, V., Bourgeat, P., Pike, K., Jones, G., Ames, D., Ellis, K., Szoeke, C., Martins, R., O'Keefe, G., Salvado, O., Masters, C., Rowe, C., (2010), Relationship between Atrophy and B-Amyloid Deposition in Alzheimer Disease. Annals of Neurology, 67(3), 317-324, United States, DOI: 10.1002/ana.21955.
  • Ellis, K., Rowe, C., Villemagne, V., Martins, R., Masters, C., Salvado, O., Szoeke, C., Ames, D., (2010), Addressing population aging and Alzheimer's disease through the Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle study: Collaboration with the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Alzheimer's and Dementia, 6(3), 291-296, United States, DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2010.03.009.
  • Rowe, C., Ellis, K., Rimajova, M., Bourgeat, P., Pike, KE., Jones, G., Fripp, J., Tochon-Danguy, H., Morandeau, L., O'Keefe, G., Price, R., Raniga, P., Robins, P., Acosta, O., Lenzo, N., Szoeke, C., Salvado, O., Head, R., Martins, R., Masters, C., Ames, D., Villemagne, VL., (2010), Amyloid imaging results, from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study of aging. Neurobiology of Aging, 31(8), 1275-1283, United States, DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2010.04.007.
  • Rodrigues, M., Foster, J., Verdile, G., Joesbury, K., Prince, R., Devine, A., Mehta, P., Beilby, J., Martins, R., (2010), Predicting memory decline as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in older post-menopausal women: Quod erat demonstrandum?. International Psychogeriatrics, 22(2), 332-335, United Kingdom, DOI: 10.1017/S1041610209991190.
  • Kajiwara, Y., Franciosi, S., Takahashi, N., Krug, L., Schmeidler, J., Taddei, K., Haroutunian, V., Fried, U., Ehrlich, M., Martins, R., Gandy, S., (2010), Extensive proteomic screening identifies the obesity-related NYGGF4 protein as a novel LRP1-interactor, showing reduced expression in early Alzheimer's disease. Molecular Neurodegeneration, 5(1), Article No.1, United Kingdom, DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-5-1.
  • Chetelat, G., Villemagne, VL., Pike, KE., Baron, J., Bourgeat, P., Jones, G., Faux, NG., Ellis, K., Salvado, O., Szoeke, C., Martins, R., Ames, D., Masters, C., Rowe, C., (2010), Larger temporal volume in elderly with high versus low beta-amyloid deposition. Brain, 133(11), 3349-3358, United Kingdom, DOI: 10.1093/brain/awq187.
  • Bourgeat, P., Chetelat, G., Villemagne, V., Fripp, J., Raniga, P., Pike, K., Acosta, O., Szoeke, C., Ourselin, S., Ames, D., Ellis, KA., Martins, R., Masters, C., Rowe, C., Salvado, O., (2010), ?-Amyloid burden in the temporal neocortex is related to hippocampal atrophy in elderly subjects without dementia. Neurology, 74(2), 121-127, United States, DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181c918b5.
  • Taddei, K., Laws, S., Verdile, G., Munns, S., D'costa, K., Harvey, A., Martins, I., Hill, F., Levy, E., Shaw, J., Martins, R., (2010), Novel phage peptides attenuate beta amyloid-42 catalysed hydrogen peroxide production and associated neurotoxicity. Neurobiology of Aging, 31(2), 203-214, United States, DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2008.03.023.
  • Newman, M., Wilson, L., Camp, E., Verdile, G., Martins, R., Lardelli, M., (2010), A Zebrafish melanophore model of Amyloid ? toxicity. Zebrafish, 7(2), 155-159, DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2009.0628.
  • Sharman, M., Morici, M., Hone, E., Berger, T., Taddei, K., Martins, I., Lim, WL., Singh, S., Wenk, M., Ghiso, J., Buxbaum, JD., Gandy, S., Martins, R., (2010), APOE Genotype Results in Differential Effects on the Peripheral Clearance of Amyloid-?42 in APOE Knock-in and Knock-out Mice. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 21(2), 403-409, Netherlands, DOI: 10.3233/JAD2010100141.
  • Hata, S., Fujishige, S., Araki, Y., Kato, N., Araseki, M., Nishimura, M., Hartmann, D., Saftig, P., Fahrenholz, F., Taniguchi, M., Urakami, K., Akatsu, H., Martins, R., Yamamoto, K., Maeda, M., Yamamoto, T., Nakaya, T., Gandy, S., Suzuki, T., (2009), Alcadein Cleavages by Amyloid ? -Precursor Protein (APP) ? -and ? -Secretases Generate Small Peptides, p3-Alcs, Indicating Alzhiemer Disease-related ? -Secretase Dysfunction. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 284(52), 36024-36033, United States, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M109.057497.
  • Drummond, E., Harvey, AR., Martins, R., (2009), Androgens and Alzheimer's Disease. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity, 16(3), 254-259, United Kingdom, DOI: 10.1097/MED.0b013e32832b101f.
  • Pedrini, S., Thomas, C., Brautigam, H., Schmeidler, J., Ho, L., Fraser, P., Westaway, D., St George Hyslop, P., Martins, R., Buxbaum, D., Pasinetti, GM., Dickstein, DL., Hof, PR., Ehrlich, M., Gandy, S., (2009), Dietary composition modulates brain mass and solubilizable A levels in a mouse model of aggressive Alzheimer's amyloid pathology. Molecular Neurodegeneration, 4(1), Article No. 40, United Kingdom, DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-4-40.
  • Bharadwaj, P., Dubey, AK., Masters, CL., Martins, R., Macreadie, I., (2009), A ? aggregation and possible implications in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Journal of Cell and Molecular Medicine, 13(3), 412-421, United Kingdom, DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2008.00609.x.
  • Martins, I., Berger, T., Sharman, M., Verdile, G., Fuller, S., Martins, R., (2009), Cholesterol metabolism and transport in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Neurochemsitry, 111(6), 1275-1308, United Kingdom, DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.06408.x.
  • Chen, M., Martins, R., Lardelli, M., (2009), Complex Splicing and Neural Expression of Duplicated Tau Genes in Zebrafish embryos. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 18(2), 305-317, Netherlands, DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2009-1145.
  • Krishnaswamy, S., Verdile, G., Groth, D., Kanyenda, L., Martins, R., (2009), The structure and function of Alzheimer's gamma secretase enzyme complex. Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Science, 46(5-6), 282-301, United Kingdom, DOI: 10.3109/10408360903335821.
  • Nornes, S., Newman, M., Wells, S., Verdile, G., Martins, R., Lardelli, M., (2009), Independent an cooperative action of Psen2 with Psen1 in zebrafish embryos. Experimental Cell Research, 315(16), 2791-2801, DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2009.06.023.
  • Barron, A., Cake, M., Verdile, G., Martins, R., (2009), Ovariectomy and 17?-Estradiol Replacement Do Not Alter beta-Amyloid Levels in Sheep Brain. Endocrinology, 150(7), 3228-3236, United States, DOI: 10.1210/en.2008-1252.
  • Bates, K., Sohrabi, H., Rodrigues, M., Beilby, J., Dhaliwal, S., Taddei, K., Criddle, A., Wraith, M., Howard, M., Martins, G., Paton, A., Mehta, P., Foster, J., Martins, I., Launtenschlager, N., Mastaglia, F., Laws, S., Gandy, S., Martins, R., (2009), Association of Cardiovascular Factors and Alzhemer's Disease Plasma Amyloid-? Protein in subjective memory Complainers. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 17(2), 305-318, The Netherlands, DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2009-1050.
  • Ellis, K., Bush, A., Darby, D., De Fazio, D., Foster, J., Hudson, P., Lautenschlager, N., Lenzo, N., Martins, R., Maruff, P., Masters, C., Milner, A., Pike, K., Rowe, C., Savage, G., Szoeke, C., Taddei, K., Villemagne, V., Woodward, M., Ames, D., Aibl Research Group, T., (2009), The Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study of aging: methodology and baseline characteristics of 1112 individuals recruited for a longitudinal study of Alzheimer's disease. International Psychogeriatrics, 21(4), 672-687, United Kingdom, DOI: 10.1017/S1041610209009405.
  • Foster, J., Verdile, G., Bates, K., Martins, R., (2009), Immunization in Alzheimer's disease: naive hope or realistic clinical potential. Molecular Psychiatry, 14(3), 239-251, United Kingdom, DOI: 10.1038/mp.2008.115.
  • De Silva, R., Disanayaka, S., De Zoysa, N., Sanjeewanie, N., Somaratne, S., Foster, J., Srikanth, S., Kathriarachchi, S., Martins, R., (2009), Norms for the mini-mental state examination from a sample of Sri Lankan older people. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 24(7), 666-670, DOI: 10.1002/gps.2168.
  • Sohrabi, H., Bates, K., Rodrigues, M., Taddei, K., Laws, S., Lautenschlager, N., Dhaliwal, S., Johnston, A., Mackay-Sim, A., Gandy, S., Foster, J., Martins, R., (2009), Olfactory dysfunction is associated with subjective memory complaints in community-dwelling elderly individuals. Journal of Alzheimer's disease, 17(1), 135-142, The Netherlands, DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2009-1020.
  • Sohrabi, H., Bates, K., Rodrigues, M., Taddei, K., Martins, G., Laws, S., Lautenschlager, N., Dhaliwal, S., Foster, J., Martins, R., (2009), The relationship between memory complaints, perceived quality of life and mental health in apolipoprotein e?4 carriers and non-carriers. Journal of Alzheimer's disease, 17(1), 69-79, The Netherlands, DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2009-1018.
  • Bates, K., Sohrabi, H., Rodrigues, M., Beilby, J., Dhaliwal, S., Taddei, K., Criddle, A., Wraith, M., Howard, M., Martins, G., Paton, A., Mehta, P., Foster, J., Martins, I., Lautenschlager, N., Mastaglia, F., Laws, S., Gandy, S., Martins, R., (2009), Association of Cardiovascular Factors and Alzheimer's Disease Plasma Amyloid-beta Protein in Subjective Memory Complainers. Journal of Alzheimer's disease, 17(2), 305-18, Amsterdam.
  • Bates, K., Verdile, G., Li, Q., Ames, D., Hudson, P., Masters, C., Martins, R., (2009), Clearance mechanisms of Alzheimer?s amyloid-? peptide: implications for therapeutic design and diagnostic tests. Molecular Psychiatry, 14(5), 469-486 , United Kingdom, DOI: 10.1038/mp.2008.96.
  • Foster, J., Sohrabi, H., Verdile, G., Martins, R., (2008), Research criteria for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: genetic risk factors, blood biomarkers and olfactory dysfunction. International Psychogeriatics, 20(4), 853-857, Cambride UK.
  • Flicker, L., Martins, R., Thomas, J., Acres, J., Taddei, K., Vasikaran, S., Norman, P., Jamrozik, K., Almeida, O., (2008), B-Vitamins reduce plasma levels of beta amyloid. Neurobiology of Aging, 29(2), 303-305, United States.
  • Miklossy, J., Martins, R., (2008), Chronic Inflammation and Amyloidogenesis in Alzheimer's Disease: The Emerging role of Infection. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 13(4), 357, Netherlands.
  • Verdile, G., Yeap, B., Clarnette, R., Dhaliwal, S., Burkhart, M., Chubb, SA., De Ruyck, K., Rodrigues, M., Mehta, PD., Foster, J., Bruce, D., Martins, R., (2008), Luteinizing Hormone Levels are Positively Correlated with Plasma Amyloid-beta Protein Levels in Elderly Men. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 14(2), 201-208, Netherlands.
  • Urosevic, N., Martins, R., (2008), Infection and Alzheimer's Disease: The APOE epsilon 4 Connection and Lipid Metabolism. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 13(4), 421-435, Netherlands.
  • Wahjoepramono, EJ., Wijaya, L., Taddei, K., Martins, G., Howard, M., De Ruyck, K., Bates, K., Dhaliwal, S., Verdile, G., Carruthers, M., Martins, R., (2008), Distinct Effects of Testosterone on Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid Amyloid-beta Levels. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 15(1), 129-137, Netherlands.
  • Taddei, K., Laws, S., Verdile, G., Munns, S., D'costa, K., Harvey, A., Martins, I., Hill, F., Levy, E., Shaw, J., Martins, R., (2008), Novel phage peptides attenuate beta amyloid-42 catalysed hydrogen peroxide production and associated neurotoxicity. Neurobiology of Aging, n/a(n/a), 12 pages, United States.
  • Gnjec, A., D'costa, K., Laws, S., Hedley, R., Balakrishnan, K., Taddei, K., Martins, G., Paton, A., Verdile, G., Gandy, S., Broe, A., Brooks, W., Bennett, H., Piguet, O., Price, P., Miklossy, J., Hallmayer, J., McGeer, P., Martins, R., (2008), Association of alleles carried at TNFA -850 and BAT1 -22 with Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 5(36), 1-10.
  • Chan, H., Liu, T., Verdile, G., Glenda, B., Haasl, R., Smith, M., Perry, G., Martins, R., Atwood, C., (2008), Copper Induces Apoptosis of Neuroblastoma Cells Via Post-translational Regulation of the Expression of Bcl-2-family Proteins and the txJ Mouse is a Better Model of Hepatic than Brain Cu Toxicity. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 1(1), 76-88.
  • Rodrigues, M., Verdile, G., Foster, J., Hogervorst, E., Joesbury, K., Dhaliwal, S., Corder, E., Laws, S., Hone, E., Prince, R., Devine, A., Mehta, P., Beilby, J., Atwood, C., Martins, R., (2008), Gonadotropins and Cognition in Older Women. Journal of Alzheimer's disease, 13(3), 267-274, Amsterdam.
  • Rimajova, M., Lenzo, N., Wu, J., Bates, K., Campbell, A., Dhaliwald, SS., McCarthy, M., Rodrigues, M., Paton, A., Rowe, C., Foster, J., Martins, R., (2008), Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-PET in APOE epsilon 4 carriers in the Australian population. Journal of Alzheimer's disease, 13(2), 137-146, Amsterdam.
  • Foster, J., Sohrabi, H., Verdile, G., Martins, R., (2008), Research Criteria for the Diagnosis of Alzheimer'S Disease: Genetic Risk Factors, Blood Biomarkers and Olfactory Dysfunction. International Psychogeriatrics, 20(4), 853-855, 32 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013-2473.
  • Maczurek, A., Hager, K., Kenklies, M., Sharman, M., Martins, R., Engel, J., Carlson, D., Munch, G., (2008), Lipoic acid as an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 60(13-14), 1463-1470.
  • Nornes, S., Newman, M., Verdile, G., Wells, S., Stoick-Cooper, C., Tucker, B., Sleptsova - Fredrich, I., Martins, R., Lardelli, M., (2008), Interference with splicing of Presenilin transcripts has potent dominant negative effects on Presenilin activity. Human Molecular Genetics, 17(3), 402-412.

Research Student Supervision

Principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy,  Identifying Gamma Secretase Enzyme Domains Responsible For The Generation Of Alzheimer's Beta Amyloid Protein..
  • Doctor of Philosophy,  Yeast As A Model For Studying Ab Aggregation, Toxicity And Clearance.
  • Doctor of Philosophy,  The Role Of Testosterone In Prevention Of Alzheimer's Disease..
  • Master of Science (Human Biology),  The Role Of Luteninizing Hormone (lh) And Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hcg) In The Aetiology Of Alzheimer's Disease..
  • Doctor of Philosophy,  Investigating The Impact Of Cd147 And Its Expression On Neuordegeneration And Alzheimer's Disease Ad.

Co-principal Supervisor