CogCoach research trials
CogCoach is a research program testing lifestyle interventions and blood biomarkers to reduce dementia risk.
Cognitive decline often begins years before a diagnosis of dementia, presenting as subtle changes in memory and thinking that signal increased risk, but also a critical opportunity for prevention. Many of these risks are modifiable, creating strong potential for early intervention through lifestyle change.
The CogCoach program, led by UNSW Sydney in collaboration with Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), brings together two complementary clinical trials to understand and measure how lifestyle changes can reduce the progression of cognitive decline and prevent dementia.
Why early action matters
Cognitive decline exists on a continuum, often beginning with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) before progressing to dementia. These early stages represent a key window for intervention, particularly as a significant proportion of dementia risk is linked to modifiable lifestyle factors such as physical activity, diet, sleep and social engagement.
Healthy
No noticeable change
SCD
Subjective cognitive decline
MCI
Mild cognitive impairment
Dementia
Diagnosis
Funded by the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the CogCoach trials focus on people experiencing early cognitive changes; those at increased risk of dementia but often without access to structured, evidence-based interventions.
What are modifiable risk factors?
Small changes make a big difference.
Some lifestyle habits increase your risk of dementia, but many of these risks can be reduced. These are known as modifiable risk factors.
Examples include:
It’s never too early and never too late to modify these risk factors by adopting healthy lifestyle changes.
The trials
Choose the trial that fits you, and head to its page to check eligibility and join.
CogCoach-Health and CogCoach-Brain are separate, parallel randomised controlled trials, not extensions of one another. If you take part in one, you can't take part in the other.
CogCoach-Health
A randomised controlled trial evaluating a 12-week, fully online lifestyle intervention designed to improve brain health and reduce dementia risk.
Study length: 12 weeks
Age requirements: 65+
Location: Online
Research project length: 1 year
CogCoach-Brain
A separate, parallel randomised controlled trial (not an extension of CogCoach-Health). People who take part in CogCoach-Health cannot take part in CogCoach-Brain.
Study length: 12 weeks
Age requirements: 60 - 65
Location: Online
Research project length: 2 years