Dr Matthew Lennon

Dr Matthew Lennon

Conjoint Lecturer
Medicine & Health
School of Clinical Medicine

Matt is currently a psychiatric registrar working in the North Shore Area of Sydney. He graduated from medicine at UNSW with the University Medal and Class I Honours in Neuroscience. Following completion of his degree he has been working with the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing to explore epidemiological and genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's Dementia and in 2024 completed his doctorate in psychiatry with the Deans List Award. In 2021 Matt finished a Masters of Neuroscience at Oxford University supported by the prestigious Tim Fisher John Monash Scholarship. Through university he started Springboard Education, a charitable tutoring organisation, that has provided free tutoring and educational resources to thousands of students in rural Australia. He has worked extensively within the Australian Medical Association writing and enacting policy as well as for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing working to resolve challenges in Aged Care for rural and remote Australia. Matt has performed with the Sydney Philharmonic Choirs at the Sydney Opera House. His other interests include rugby union, running triathlons, writing poetry and performing with guitar.

Phone
+61 (2) 9385 7357
  • Journal articles | 2024
    Lennon MJ; Lipnicki DM; Lam BCP; Crawford JD; Schutte AE; Peters R; Rydberg-Sterner T; Najar J; Skoog I; Riedel-Heller SG; Röhr S; Pabst A; Lobo A; De-La-Cámara C; Lobo E; Lipton RB; Katz MJ; Derby CA; Kim KW; Han JW; Oh DJ; Rolandi E; Davin A; Rossi M; Scarmeas N; Yannakoulia M; Dardiotis T; Hendrie HC; Gao S; Carriere I; Ritchie K; Anstey KJ; Cherbuin N; Xiao S; Yue L; Li W; Guerchet M; Preux PM; Aboyans V; Haan MN; Aiello A; Scazufca M; Sachdev PS; Llibre-Rodriguez JJ; Acosta D; Sosa AL; Arteaga MG; Jimenez-Velazquez IZ; Salas A; Turana Y; Del Brutto OH; Costa E; Noel S; Larijani B; Nabipour I; Rockwood K; Brayne C; Lipton R; Katz MJ; Guerchet M; Preux PM; D'Orsi E; Ritchie K; Ancelin ML; Petersen MS; Au R; Skoog I; Scarmeas N; Ninimiya T; Lam L; Gureje O; Paddick SM; Walker R; Chen LK; Auais M; Guerra RO; Hendrie H; Rolandi E; Hever A; Kenny RA; Kim KW; Meguro K; Gussekloo J; Riedel-Heller SG; Shahar S; Koehler S; Deckers K; Dominguez J; Ganguli M; Krishna M; Custodio N; McGuinness B; Kee F; Ansteyi KJ; Crowe M; Aiello A; Narazaki K; Ding D; Ho R, 2024, 'Blood Pressure, Antihypertensive Use, and Late-Life Alzheimer and Non-Alzheimer Dementia Risk: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis', Neurology, 103, http://dx.doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000209715
    Journal articles | 2024
    Lennon MJ; Rigney G; Creese B; Aarsland D; Hampshire A; Ballard C; Corbett A; Raymont V, 2024, 'Sports-related concussion not associated with long-term cognitive or behavioural deficits: the PROTECT-TBI study', Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2024-334039
    Journal articles | 2023
    Lennon MJ; Brooker H; Creese B; Thayanandan T; Rigney G; Aarsland D; Hampshire A; Ballard C; Corbett A; Raymont V, 2023, 'Lifetime Traumatic Brain Injury and Cognitive Domain Deficits in Late Life: The PROTECT-TBI Cohort Study', Journal of Neurotrauma, 40, pp. 1423 - 1435, http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2022.0360
    Journal articles | 2023
    Lennon MJ; Harmer C, 2023, 'Machine learning prediction will be part of future treatment of depression', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 57, pp. 1316 - 1323, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00048674231158267
    Journal articles | 2023
    Lennon MJ; Lam BCP; Lipnicki DM; Crawford JD; Peters R; Schutte AE; Brodaty H; Thalamuthu A; Rydberg-Sterner T; Najar J; Skoog I; Riedel-Heller SG; Röhr S; Pabst A; Lobo A; De-la-Cámara C; Lobo E; Bello T; Gureje O; Ojagbemi A; Lipton RB; Katz MJ; Derby CA; Kim KW; Han JW; Oh DJ; Rolandi E; Davin A; Rossi M; Scarmeas N; Yannakoulia M; Dardiotis T; Hendrie HC; Gao S; Carrière I; Ritchie K; Anstey KJ; Cherbuin N; Xiao S; Yue L; Li W; Guerchet MM; Preux PM; Aboyans V; Haan MN; Aiello AE; Ng TP; Nyunt MSZ; Gao Q; Scazufca M; Sachdev PSS, 2023, 'Use of Antihypertensives, Blood Pressure, and Estimated Risk of Dementia in Late Life: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis', JAMA network open, 6, pp. e2333353, http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.33353
    Journal articles | 2023
    Lennon MJ; Thalamuthu A; Pan Lam BC; Crawford JD; Sachdev PS, 2023, 'Genetically Predicted Blood Pressure and Cognition in Midlife: A UK Biobank Study', Hypertension, 80, pp. 2112 - 2121, http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.123.21612
    Journal articles | 2023
    Woods M; Lennon MJ; Raymont V, 2023, 'Understanding and managing the long-term cognitive consequences of traumatic brain injuries', British Journal of Hospital Medicine, 84, pp. 1 - 3, http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/hmed.2023.0161
    Journal articles | 2022
    Rigney G; Leith J; Lennon M; Reeves A; Chrisinger B, 2022, 'The Association of Traumatic Brain Injury with Neurologic and Psychiatric Illnesses among Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.', J Health Care Poor Underserved, 33, pp. 685 - 701, http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2022.0056
    Journal articles | 2021
    Lennon MJ; Kennedy R; Ryan H; Neuen DR; Godwin M, 2021, 'Changes in the proportions of authors in Australian medical journals who were women, 2005–2018', Medical Journal of Australia, 214, pp. 376 - 377, http://dx.doi.org/10.5694/mja2.50998
    Journal articles | 2021
    Lennon MJ; Koncz R; Sachdev PS, 2021, 'Hypertension and Alzheimer's disease: is the picture any clearer?', Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 34, pp. 142 - 148, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000684
    Journal articles | 2021
    Lennon MJ; Lam BCP; Crawford J; Brodaty H; Kochan NA; Trollor JN; Numbers K; Draper B; Thalamuthu A; Sachdev PS, 2021, 'Does Antihypertensive Use Moderate the Effect of Blood Pressure on Cognitive Decline in Older People?', Journals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 76, pp. 859 - 866, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glaa232
    Journal articles | 2021
    Lennon MJ; Lam BCP; Lipnicki DM; Crawford JD; Sachdev PS, 2021, 'Does blood pressure variability predict cognitive decline better than hypertension itself? A harmonised analysis of 10 studies', Alzheimer's & Dementia, 17, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/alz.049424
    Journal articles | 2021
    Lennon MJ; Rigney G; Raymont V; Sachdev P, 2021, 'Genetic Therapies for Alzheimer's Disease: A Scoping Review', Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 84, pp. 491 - 504, http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/JAD-215145
    Journal articles | 2021
    Lennon MJ; Thayanandan T; Corbett A; Aarsland D; Ballard C; Raymont V, 2021, 'Repeated concussions associated with worsened working memory, attention and processing speed, but preserved delayed memory: A PROTECT study', Alzheimer's & Dementia, 17, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/alz.054430
    Journal articles | 2021
    Rigney G; Lennon M; Holderrieth P, 2021, 'The use of computational models in the management and prognosis of refractory epilepsy: A critical evaluation.', Seizure, 91, pp. 132 - 140, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2021.06.006
    Journal articles | 2020
    Lennon M; McGrail MR; O'Sullivan B; Suttie J; Preddy J, 2020, 'Are hospital registrars growing more satisfied with their jobs?', Internal Medicine Journal, 50, pp. 132 - 133, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/imj.14650
    Journal articles | 2020
    Lennon M; Tudehope F; McCready M; Jude M, 2020, 'Acute Fluctuant Neurological Symptoms in Stable Chronic Cryptococcus gattii Cryptococcomas: A Novel Disease Complication', The neurologist, 26, pp. 24 - 26, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/NRL.0000000000000297
    Journal articles | 2020
    Lennon MJ; McGrail MR; O'Sullivan B; Tan A; Mok C; Suttie JJ; Preddy J, 2020, 'Understanding the professional satisfaction of hospital trainees in Australia', Medical Education, 54, pp. 419 - 426, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/medu.14041
    Journal articles | 2020
    Lennon MJ; Neuen DR; Godwin MR, 2020, 'No ‘Christmas holiday effect’ in Australia for cardiovascular and stroke mortality', Public Health, 182, pp. 190 - 192, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2020.03.004
    Journal articles | 2020
    Mok C; Boneham W; Lennon MJ, 2020, 'A ‘healthy’ health care workforce: Insights into satisfaction and retention of doctors', Medical Education, 54, pp. 781 - 783, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/medu.14269
    Journal articles | 2019
    Cysique LA; Jugé L; Lennon MJ; Gates TM; Jones SP; Lovelace MD; Rae CD; Johnson TP; Nath A; Brew BJ, 2019, 'HIV brain latency as measured by CSF BcL11b relates to disrupted brain cellular energy in virally suppressed HIV infection', AIDS, 33, pp. 433 - 441, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000002076
    Journal articles | 2019
    Lennon M; O’Sullivan B; McGrail M; Russell D; Suttie J; Preddy J, 2019, 'Attracting junior doctors to rural centres: A national study of work-life conditions and satisfaction', Australian Journal of Rural Health, 27, pp. 482 - 488, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ajr.12577
    Journal articles | 2019
    Lennon MJ; Makkar SR; Crawford JD; Sachdev PS, 2019, 'Midlife Hypertension and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis', Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 71, pp. 307 - 316, http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/jad-190474
    Journal articles | 2019
    Lennon MJ; Neuen DR; Suttie JJ, 2019, 'Partial empty sella in a woman with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: A rare presentation of polycythaemia rubra vera', Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 66, pp. 275 - 277, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2019.05.007
    Journal articles | 2017
    Lovelace MD; Varney B; Sundaram G; Lennon MJ; Lim CK; Jacobs K; Guillemin GJ; Brew BJ, 2017, 'Recent evidence for an expanded role of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism in neurological diseases', Neuropharmacology, 112, pp. 373 - 388, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.03.024
  • Conference Abstracts | 2018
    Cysique L; Juge L; Lennon M; Gates T; Jones S; Lovelace M; Rae C; Johnson T; Nath A; Brew B, 2018, 'HIV Brain Latency May Directly Suppress Brain Cellular Energy', in JOURNAL OF NEUROVIROLOGY, SPRINGER, IL, Chicago, Vol. 24, pp. S19 - S19, presented at Joint Meeting of the International-Society-for-NeuroVirology (ISNV) and the Society-on-NeuroImmune-Pharmacology (SNIP), IL, Chicago, 10 April 2018 - 14 April 2018, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000434755400066&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

The world now faces a crisis of ageing. Dementia sits firmly at the crux of this crisis. In the Australia alone over 400,000 people are now living with dementia and this figure is expected to more than double by 2050. Worldwide, in 2019 57 million people were living with dementia and it is anticipated 153 million will experience the disease in 2050. In the absence of any effective, disease modifying therapy we urgently need to find better ways of preventing dementia. Hypertension is the most prevalent risk factor for dementia, affecting more than 1 billion people worldwide, including 1 in 3 adults in Australia. We know that midlife hypertension increases risk of all cause dementia by around 60% and Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD) by 25%. However, in late life this association is not consistently observed, with most studies finding either no association or that higher Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) or Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) is associated with lower risk of dementia. This lack of clarity is deeply problematic. It is precisely for the group that has the highest risk of hypertension (1 in 2 of those > 65) and the greatest risk of dementia (1 in 16 of those > 65) that optimal BP management for dementia prevention is unclear.

My research uses a consortium of longitudinal studies of aging including over 43,000 participants to explore the effects of blood pressure, blood pressure variability and antihypertensive medication on cognitive function and dementia risk. There is evidence that with increasing age the optimal blood pressure for cognition and dementia risk increases and that both very low and very high blood pressures will lead to poorer long-term outcome. We are also using the largest genetic database in the world, the UK Biobank, including over 500,000 participants to examine how the genetic risk for high or low blood pressure affects cognition.

I have a number of other collaborations including some work examining the long term cognitive effects of TBI on cognitive outcomes (with collaborators at Oxford and Exeter Universities) as well as examining key factors involved in human flourishing.