Biography
Dr Helen Macpherson conducts research on healthy brain ageing, with a focus on dementia prevention. She is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research (IPAN), Deakin University. Dr Macpherson is a recipient of a 2016 NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Training Fellowship to examine the effects of dietary supplementation combined with physical activity on brain health and cognitive function in older people at risk of dementia. She has received over $2 million in category 1 research funding.
She has conducted numerous randomised controlled trials to investigate the cognitive effects of nutritional interventions. Her research investigates mechanisms of action including cardiovascular changes and direct effects on brain function using a range of neuroimaging modalities. She is currently supervising several PhD students using various neuroimaging techniques to study age-related changes in cognition.
Read more on Helen's profileKnowledge areas
Cognitive ageing
Cognitive neuroscience
Lifestyle interventions to combat cognitive decline
Neuroimaging
Multivitamins and cognition
Conferences
Invited conference presentations
Macpherson, H. Multi-domain dietary and exercise interventions to enhance cognition in older people. Lifestyle Medicine Conference. Sydney Australia, September 15- 17, 2017.
Macpherson, H., and Daly, R. 2016. A multi-faceted intervention to enhance cognition in older people at risk of cognitive decline. Rapid oral presentation and poster presented at the Australian Dementia Forum, Brisbane, Australia, May 1-3, 2016.
Macpherson, H. Multivitamins, multi benefits? Complementary Health Care Council of Australia National conference, Sydney Australia, September 3 - 5, 2013.
Conference presentations (only shown since 2014)
Macpherson, H., White, D., Hughes, M. Age-related changes to cognitive control as assessed by fMRI. Oral presentation at the 7th Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society, Adelaide Australia, November 23-26, 2017.
Macpherson, H. Multi-factorial dietary, exercise and cognitive interventions for cognitive frailty. Symposium presentation at the Australian and New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia Research annual meeting, Adelaide Australia, November 24-25, 2017.
Macpherson, H., and Daly, RM. 2017. Progress Update for a Multi-faceted Exercise and Nutrition Intervention to Enhance Cognition in Older People at Risk of Cognitive Decline. Poster presentation at the NNIDR Australian Dementia Forum, Melbourne Australia, October 15 -17, 2017.
Macpherson, H., Miller, EG., Dunstan, DW., Nowson, C., Kerr, D., Menzies, D & Daly, RM. 2017. Can protein and vitamin D enhance the cognitive benefits of resistance training in type 2 diabetics? Innovation in Aging 1 (suppl_1), 439-440. Poster presented at the IAGG conference, San Francisco, July 23 -27, 2017 and 17th Alzheimer’s Australia Biennial National Dementia Conference, Melbourne Australia, October 17-20, 2017.
Macpherson, H., and Anstey, K. 2017. The long and winding road to prevention: ensuring dementia prevention research makes an impact. Organiser and Chair of Round Table Discussion, NNIDR Australian Dementia Forum, Melbourne Australia, October 15 -17, 2017.
Macpherson, H. 2016. A multi-faceted intervention to enhance cognition in older people at risk of cognitive decline. Poster presentation at the Australian Dementia Forum, Brisbane, Australia, 1-3 May 2016.
Macpherson, H., White, D., Hughes, M., and Daly, R. 2016. Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased activation during n-back performance. Poster presented at the 22nd Annual meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping, Geneva, Switzerland, June 26-30, 2016.
Macpherson, H., and Pipingas, A. 2015. Multivitamins to enhance mental function, what is the evidence? Oral presentation at the 48th Australian Association of Gerontology conference, Alice Springs, Australia, November 4-6, 2015.
Macpherson, H., White, D and Hughes, M. 2015. The effects of age on proactive and reactive control during working memory. Oral presentation at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting 2015, Chicago, United States October 17-21, 2015.
Macpherson, H., and Scholey, A. 2014. Glucose as an acute cognitive enhancer: influence of task domain, task demand and age. Oral presentation at the 10th Conference of the Australasian Society for Cognitive Science. Melbourne, Australia, December 8-10, 2014.
Professional activities
Professional Memberships
2017- Current: Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society
2016- Current: NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Research (NNIDR)
2013- Current: Society for Neuroscience
Awards
2016- Deakin University Vice Chancellors Early Career Research award
2016 - CASS Foundation travel award to attend 2016 Organisation of Human Brain Mapping meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, June 26-30
2016 - NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellowship. A multi-faceted intervention to enhance cognition in older people at risk of cognitive decline.
2015- 2 year Health Research Postdoctoral research Fellowship, Deakin University, Melbourne Australia.
2013- Travel Fellowship to attend 2013 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Boston, Massachusetts, United States
2012 - Australian Nutrition Trust Foundation scholarship to attend the Nutrition in Medicine conference, Melbourne May 4th-6th.
2009- Travel bursary to attend the 2009 Emerging Researchers in Ageing Masterclass run by the ARC/NHMRC Research Network in Ageing Well, hosted by The University of Queensland.
2007- Swinburne University Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) Scholarship to undertake PhD.
Projects
2018 Deakin University Faculty HAtCH Grant. Investigating dietary patterns, hippocampal volume and cognition in middle age (2018, $22,190, CIB).
2017 Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Research Foundation. Exploration of the Associations between Cognitive Performance, and Dual-Tasking, Gait, and Physical Performance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults and Individuals with Alzheimer’s (2017, $50,000, CIB).
2017 Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project. How eating patterns interact with activity, sleep and mood (2017-2020, $486,000, CIE).
2016 Deakin University School of Exercise and Nutrition Early Career seed funding. Type 2 diabetes: Determining the role of glucose regulation in brain dysfunction (2016, $9000, CIA).
2016 Deakin University Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition project seed funding. Investigating the neurobiological and cognitive changes associated with acute aerobic and resistance training in healthy young and older adults (2016, $29,000, CIC).
2016 Deakin University Central Research Grant Scheme. Evidence for shared neurobiology in Autism and Parkinson's disease (2016, $21,529, CIC).
Publications
P Giannos, K Prokopidis, D Church, B Kirk, P Morgan, M Lochlainn, H Macpherson, D Woods, T Ispoglou
(2023), Vol. 78, pp. 151-157, The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, United States, C1
M Hockey, M Mohebbi, T Tolmunen, S Hantunen, T Tuomainen, H Macpherson, F Jacka, J Virtanen, T Rocks, A Ruusunen
(2023), Vol. 62, pp. 227-237, European Journal of Nutrition, C1
K Prokopidis, P Giannos, T Ispoglou, B Kirk, O Witard, Y Dionyssiotis, D Scott, H Macpherson, G Duque, M Isanejad
(2023), Vol. 45, pp. 1049-1058, GeroScience, Switzerland, C1
O Shannon, J Ranson, S Gregory, H Macpherson, C Milte, M Lentjes, A Mulligan, C McEvoy, A Griffiths, J Matu, T Hill, A Adamson, M Siervo, A Minihane, G Muniz-Tererra, C Ritchie, J Mathers, D Llewellyn, E Stevenson
(2023), Vol. 21, pp. 1-13, BMC Medicine, London, Eng., C1
L Arnoldy, S Gauci, L Young, W Marx, H Macpherson, A Pipingas, O Civier, D White
(2023), Vol. 87, pp. 1-30, Ageing Research Reviews, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Amy Loughman, Christina Adler, Helen Macpherson
(2023), Vol. 92, pp. 1111-1129, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Leiden, The Netherlands, C1
S Radavelli-Bagatini, H Macpherson, D Scott, R Daly, J Hodgson, S Laws, K Zhu, R Prince, J Lewis, M Sim
(2023), pp. 1-12, Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, London, Eng., C1
Differences in the gut microbiome across typical ageing and in Parkinson's disease
N Nuzum, E Szymlek-Gay, S Loke, S Dawson, W Teo, A Hendy, A Loughman, H Macpherson
(2023), Vol. 235, Neuropharmacology, C1
The Impact of Loneliness and Social Isolation on Cognitive Aging: A Narrative Review
J Guarnera, E Yuen, H Macpherson
(2023), Vol. 7, pp. 699-714, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Andrew Pipingas, Karen Murphy, Courtney Davis, Catherine Itsiopoulos, Michael Kingsley, Andrew Scholey, Helen Macpherson, Leonie Segal, Jeff Breckon, Anne-Marie Minihane, Denny Meyer, Edward Ogden, Kathryn Dyer, Emily Eversteyn, Roy Hardman, Kaylass Poorun, Keri Justice, Maher Hana, Jonathan Buckley, David White, Kade Davison, Jessie Clark, Ella Bracci, Greg Kennedy
(2023), pp. 1-19, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
To the Gut Microbiome and Beyond: The Brain-First or Body-First Hypothesis in Parkinson's Disease
N Nuzum, A Loughman, E Szymlek-Gay, W Teo, A Hendy, H Macpherson
(2022), Vol. 13, Frontiers in Microbiology, C1
N Mundell, P Sethi, K Anstey, H Macpherson, D Dunstan, S Fraser, R Daly
(2022), Vol. 22, BMC Geriatrics, England, C1
M Hockey, E Hoare, M Mohebbi, T Tolmunen, S Hantunen, T Tuomainen, H Macpherson, H Staudacher, F Jacka, J Virtanen, T Rocks, A Ruusunen
(2022), Vol. 152, pp. 1916-1926, Journal of Nutrition, C1
N Mundell, P Owen, J Dalla Via, H MacPherson, R Daly, P Livingston, T Rantalainen, S Foulkes, J Millar, D Murphy, S Fraser
(2022), Vol. 12, BMJ Open, England, C1
H MacPherson, S Brownell, E Harris, R Duckham, S O'Connell, B Meyer, S Mirzaee, R Daly
(2022), Vol. 89, pp. 247-263, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Netherlands, C1
Mediterranean diet and its components: potential to optimize cognition across the lifespan
Sarah Gauci, Lauren Young, Helen Macpherson, David White, Sarah Benson, Andrew Pipingas, Andrew Scholey
(2021), pp. 293-306, Nutraceuticals in Brain Health and Beyond, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, B1
Sex-dependent association between selenium status and cognitive performance in older adults
B R. Cardoso, D Hare, H Macpherson
(2021), Vol. 60, pp. 1153-1159, European Journal of Nutrition, Germany, C1
W Teo, T Rantalainen, N Nuzum, L Valente, H Macpherson
(2021), Vol. 53, pp. 1324-1333, European Journal of Neuroscience, France, C1
R Erhardt, B Cardoso, B Meyer, S Brownell, S O’Connell, S Mirzaee, R Duckham, H Macpherson
(2021), Vol. 25, pp. 454-461, Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, France, C1
The Central Mechanisms of Resistance Training and Its Effects on Cognitive Function
Z Chow, A Moreland, H Macpherson, W Teo
(2021), Vol. 51, pp. 2483-2506, Sports Medicine, New Zealand, C1
Associations of Diet Quality with Midlife Brain Volume: Findings from the UK Biobank Cohort Study
H Macpherson, S McNaughton, K Lamb, C Milte
(2021), Vol. 84, pp. 79-90, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
N Nuzum, W Teo, H Macpherson, A Loughman, E Szymlek-Gay, A Hendy
(2021), Vol. 54, pp. 6608-6617, European Journal of Neuroscience, Chichester, Eng., C1
N Mundell, P Owen, J Dalla Via, H Macpherson, R Daly, S Fraser
(2021), Vol. 11, BMJ Open, C1
N Nuzum, A Loughman, E Szymlek-Gay, A Hendy, W Teo, H Macpherson
(2020), Vol. 112, pp. 227-241, Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Greg Kennedy, Denny Meyer, Roy Hardman, Helen Macpherson, Andrew Scholey, Andrew Pipingas
(2020), Vol. 4, pp. 79-89, JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE REPORTS, Netherlands, C1
T Rantalainen, W Teo, N Ridgers, N Nuzum, L Valente, H Macpherson
(2020), Vol. 80, pp. 20-25, Gait and posture, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
R Hardman, D Meyer, G Kennedy, H MacPherson, A Scholey, A Pipingas
(2020), Vol. 4, Current Developments in Nutrition, United States, C1
J Reddan, H Macpherson, D White, A Scholey, A Pipingas
(2019), Vol. 32, pp. 79-98, Nutrition research reviews, Cambridge, Eng., C1
T Simpson, S Deleuil, N Echeverria, M Komanduri, H MacPherson, C Suo, S Gondalia, M Fard, A Pipingas, A Scholey, C Stough
(2019), Vol. 18, Nutrition Journal, England, C1
A Hendy, H Macpherson, N Nuzum, P Della Gatta, S Alexander, K Hoy, P Enticott, W Teo
(2019), Vol. 12, pp. 1086-1088, Brain Stimulation, United States, C1
H Macpherson, S Brownell, R Duckham, B Meyer, S Mirzaee, R Daly
(2019), Vol. 9, BMJ Open, England, C1
C Stough, M Nankivell, D Camfield, N Perry, A Pipingas, H Macpherson, K Wesnes, R Ou, D Hare, J De Haan, G Head, P Lansjoen, A Langsjoen, B Tan, M Pase, R King, R Rowsell, O Zwalf, Y Rathner, M Cooke, F Rosenfeldt
(2019), Vol. 11, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Switzerland, C1
R Hardman, D Meyer, G Kennedy, H Macpherson, A Scholey, A Pipingas
(2018), Vol. 37, pp. 2156-2165, Clinical nutrition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
J Reddan, D White, H Macpherson, A Scholey, A Pipingas
(2018), Vol. 10, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Switzerland, C1
S Catchlove, A Pipingas, M Hughes, H Macpherson
(2018), Vol. 19, BMC Neuroscience, England, C1
An investigation of cerebral oxygen utilization, blood flow and cognition in healthy aging
S Catchlove, H Macpherson, M Hughes, Y Chen, T Parrish, A Pipingas
(2018), Vol. 13, PLoS ONE, United States, C1
Greg Kennedy, Denny Meyer, Roy Hardman, Helen Macpherson, Andrew Scholey, Andrew Pipingas
(2018), Vol. 63, pp. 1307-1316, Journal of alzheimer’s disease, Amsterdam, Netherlands, C1
Regional Cerebrovascular Reactivity and Cognitive Performance in Healthy Aging
S Catchlove, T Parrish, Y Chen, H Macpherson, M Hughes, A Pipingas
(2018), Vol. 12, Journal of Experimental Neuroscience, United States, C1
W Teo, A Goodwill, A Hendy, M Muthalib, H Macpherson
(2018), Vol. 8, Brain and Behavior, United States, C1
G Kennedy, R Hardman, H MacPherson, A Scholey, A Pipingas
(2017), Vol. 55, pp. 1-18, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Netherlands, C1
Cognitive decline in prostate cancer patients undergoing ADT: A potential role for exercise training
N Mundell, R Daly, H Macpherson, S Fraser
(2017), Vol. 24, pp. R145-R155, Endocrine-Related Cancer, England, C1
A life-long approach to physical activity for brain health
H Macpherson, W Teo, L Schneider, A Smith
(2017), Vol. 9, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Switzerland, C1
Brain functional alterations in Type 2 Diabetes - A systematic review of fMRI studies
H Macpherson, M Formica, E Harris, R Daly
(2017), Vol. 47, pp. 34-46, Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, United States, C1
E Harris, R Rowsell, A Pipingas, H Macpherson
(2016), Vol. 246, pp. 236-242, Atherosclerosis, Shannon, Ireland, C1
R Hardman, G Kennedy, H Macpherson, A Scholey, A Pipingas
(2016), Vol. 3, Frontiers in Nutrition, Switzerland, C1
H Macpherson, R Rowsell, K Cox, J Reddan, D Meyer, A Scholey, A Pipingas
(2016), Vol. 2016, Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, United States, C1
The influence of the Mediterranean diet on cognitive health
H Macpherson, J Lee, L Villalon, M Pase, A Pipingas, A Scholey
(2015), pp. 81-89, Mediterranean diet: an evidence-based approach, Cambridge, Mass., B1-1
H Macpherson, B Roberstson, S Sünram-Lea, C Stough, D Kennedy, A Scholey
(2015), Vol. 232, pp. 1135-1142, Psychopharmacology, Berlin, Germany, C1-1
J Lee, M Pase, A Pipingas, J Raubenheimer, M Thurgood, L Villalon, H Macpherson, A Gibbs, A Scholey
(2015), Vol. 31, pp. 647-652, Nutrition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
H Macpherson, R Rowsell, K Cox, A Scholey, A Pipingas
(2015), Vol. 37, pp. 1-10, Age, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, C1
R Hardman, G Kennedy, H Macpherson, A Scholey, A Pipingas
(2015), Vol. 14, pp. 1-10, Nutrition journal, London, Eng., C1
E Harris, H Macpherson, A Pipingas
(2015), Vol. 7, pp. 3796-3812, Nutrients, Basel, Switzerland, C1-1
L Massee, K Ried, M Pase, N Travica, J Yoganathan, A Scholey, H Macpherson, G Kennedy, A Sali, A Pipingas
(2015), Vol. 6, pp. 93-93, Frontiers in Pharmacology, Switzerland, C1-1
Andrew Scholey, David Camfield, Helen Macpherson, Lauren Owen, Philip Nguyen, Con Stough, Leigh Riby
(2015), Vol. 3, pp. 9-20, Nutrition and aging, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
A Pipingas, D Camfield, C Stough, A Scholey, K Cox, D White, J Sarris, A Sali, H Macpherson
(2014), Vol. 29, pp. 73-82, Human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental, Chichester, England, C1-1
Age-related changes to the neural correlates of working memory which emerge after midlife
H Macpherson, D White, K Ellis, C Stough, D Camfield, R Silberstein, A Pipingas
(2014), Vol. 6, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Lausanne, Switzerland, C1-1
A Herbert, J Cruickshank, S Laurent, P Boutouyrie, H Macpherson
(2014), Vol. 35, pp. 3122-3133, European heart journal, Oxford, Eng., C1-1
Neurocognition and micronutrients in the elderly
H Macpherson
(2013), pp. 43-70, Advances in Natural Medicines, Nutraceuticals and Neurocognition, B1-1
Blood pressure and cognitive function: the role of central aortic and brachial pressures
M Pase, C Stough, N Grima, E Harris, H Macpherson, A Scholey, A Pipingas
(2013), Vol. 24, pp. 2173-2181, Psychological science, London, Eng., C1-1
H Macpherson, A Pipingas, M Pase
(2013), Vol. 97, pp. 437-444, American journal of clinical nutrition, Washington, D.C., C1-1
A Scholey, H Macpherson, S Sünram-Lea, J Elliott, C Stough, D Kennedy
(2013), Vol. 64, pp. 544-549, Neuropharmacology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
H Macpherson, R Silberstein, A Pipingas
(2012), Vol. 107, pp. 346-354, Physiology and behavior, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
E Harris, H Macpherson, L Vitetta, J Kirk, A Sali, A Pipingas
(2012), Vol. 27, pp. 370-377, Human psychopharmacology, London, Eng., C1-1
Improved processing speed: online computer-based cognitive training in older adults
T Simpson, D Camfield, A Pipingas, H Macpherson, C Stough
(2012), Vol. 38, pp. 445-458, Educational gerontology, London, Eng., C1-1
The effects of multivitamins on cognitive performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis
N Grima, M Pase, H Macpherson, A Pipingas
(2012), Vol. 29, pp. 561-569, Journal of alzheimer's disease, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
H Macpherson, K Ellis, A Sali, A Pipingas
(2012), Vol. 220, pp. 351-365, Psychopharmacology, Berlin, Germany, C1-1
A steady state visually evoked potential investigation of memory and ageing
H Macpherson, A Pipingas, R Silberstein
(2009), Vol. 69, pp. 571-579, Brain and cognition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
A multi-faceted intervention to enhance cognition in older people at risk of cognitive decline
Dr Helen Macpherson, Prof Robin Daly
NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellowships Scheme
- 2020: $55,553
- 2019: $108,425
- 2018: $156,833
- 2017: $204,112
- 2016: $112,972
Eating patterns: How do they interact with activity, sleep and mood?
Prof Sarah McNaughton, Prof David Dunstan, Dr Charli Sargent, Prof Tony Worsley, Dr Helen Macpherson
ARC - Discovery Projects
- 2019: $219,934
- 2018: $149,302
- 2017: $141,935
Exploration of the associations between cognitive performance, and dual-tasking, gait, and physical performance in community-dwelling older adults and individuals with Alzheimer's
Dr Helen Macpherson, Dr Timo Rantalainen, Dr Wei-Peng Teo
Alzheimer's Australia Dementia Research Foundation Project Grants
- 2018: $5,000
- 2017: $45,000
Feasibility and pilot randomised controlled trial of a co-designed home-based personalised rehabilitative strategy program delivered via Voice-Controlled Intelligent Personal Assistants in older adult
Dr Paul Jansons, A/Prof Michele Callisaya, Dr Helen Macpherson, A/Prof David Scott
Dementia Australia Research Foundation - Project Grant
- 2023: $30,000
- 2022: $45,000
Implementing innovative technology promoting self-awareness of brain health and self-determination in obtaining a timely dementia diagnosis
Prof Alison Hutchinson, Dr Helen Macpherson, Prof Tracey Bucknall, Prof Rajesh Vasa, A/Prof Bernice Redley, Dr Jessica Rivera Villicana, Prof Liliana Orellana, Prof Kon Mouzakis
MRFF (NHMRC) - Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Grant Opportunity
- 2022: $1,044,161
Industry and Other Funding
PhD Scholarship - The association between dairy consumption and mood and cognition
Prof Felice Jacka, Miss Meghan Hockey, Dr Anu Ruusunen, Dr Helen Macpherson, Dr Tetyana Rocks
Australian Rotary Health PhD scholarship
- 2023: $3,000
- 2021: $18,000
- 2020: $18,000
- 2019: $11,250
Supervisions
Nathan Nuzum
Thesis entitled: Gut microbiota and lifestyle factors across ageing and Parkinson¿s disease
Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition & Exercise) (High Cost), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
Meghan Hockey
Thesis entitled: The Association Between Dairy Intake and Depression
Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine), School of Medicine