The STAREE sub-studies are additional studies participants can participate in. Sub-studies are limited to those who have recently entered the study and will be offered to you at your first STAREE visit. Sub-studies have limited numbers and are offered in specific locations. Further details of each sub-study can be found below.

Biobank | STAREE-Heart | STAREE-MIND

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STAREE Biobank

• Blood and urine will be stored or “biobanked” from healthy older adults enrolled in the STAREE clinical trial.
• In the future, researchers will test the samples for many different disease traits or predictors of older-onset diseases such as heart attacks, stroke, dementia, cancer, diabetes and obesity.
• Biobank samples may underpin discoveries that improve disease detection and treatment. Results of studies using Biobank samples may not benefit the individual donor, but they may improve the health of future generations.
• This study will collect a blood and urine sample for eligible participants.

Offered at the following sites: Melbourne, Hobart and Perth

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STAREE-Heart

• Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal rhythm of the heart (arrhythmia), which can cause blood clots and lead to stroke. Heart failure is a condition where the heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump as well as it normally does, causing shortness of breath, tiredness, weight gain, and swelling of the ankles or abdomen.
• It is thought that statins may have a role in reducing the risk of these conditions. However, the ways in which statins might produce this effect are unknown.
• STAREE-HEART is investigating whether atorvastatin can prevent the development of these two heart conditions which commonly occur as people age.
• In STAREE-HEART we will record the rhythm of the heart and use heart imaging, including ultrasound scans to study changes in people who are taking either the statin or placebo. This study will determine whether statins have a beneficial effect on heart health, and if so, how statins work to produce this effect.

Offered at the following sites: Melbourne and Perth

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STAREE-MIND

• It is thought that statins may have a role in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. However, the ways in which statins might produce these effects are at present unknown.
• STAREE-MIND is investigating whether atorvastatin can delay the cognitive decline and structural and functional brain changes that are related to development of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
• STAREE-MIND will use brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to study brain and cognitive changes. The results of this work will determine whether statins have a beneficial effect on brain health and how these effects are produced in the brain.

Offered at the following sites: Melbourne and Brisbane