Sabina Brennan

Last updated

Sabina Brennan
Alma mater
Scientific career
Fields Neuroscience, Psychology
Institutions
Thesis Neurocognitive and electrophysiological indices of cognitive performance in ageing  (2011)
Doctoral advisor Ian Robertson
Website www.sabinabrennan.ie

Sabina Brennan is an Irish neuroscientist, psychologist, and former television actress. She is currently an adjunct assistant professor working at Trinity College Dublin.

Contents

Early life and family

Brennan is the youngest of five children. Her father worked for Irish Life and she followed him into this business after finishing school. [1] She is married and has two sons. [1]

Acting

Brennan's enthusiasm for acting was noted when she was eight years old by her drama teacher who suggested private lessons to her parents, and Brennan returned to this interest after taking voluntary redundancy from Irish Life. She studied for her teacher's diploma at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and spent ten years as a full-time actor. [1] She appeared in over 160 episodes of the Irish television series Fair City as Tess Halpin. [2] Her character was fatally strangled as part of a high-profile domestic abuse storyline. [3] [4]

Scientific career

After leaving Fair City, Brennan completed an undergraduate degree in psychology at Maynooth University before pursuing a PhD on changes in the brain associated with aging with Ian Robertson at Trinity College Dublin. [5] She completed her PhD studies in 2011 on "Neurocognitive and electrophysiological indices of cognitive performance in ageing". [6] She has published over 40 articles on brain health, dementia and cognitive function in aging adults. [7] Through this work she has investigated the importance of building resilience for brain health through mental stimulation [8] and exercise [9] (amongst other factors), which has formed the foundations of much of her subsequent research. She was co-director of the Neuro-Enhancement for Independent Lives (NEIL) research programme granted by Atlantic Philanthropies to develop interventions to slow or halt cognitive decline. [10] [11] [12] She was a co-applicant of a successful European Union Framework Programme 7 funding project, which established the Hello Brain website and app to enable people to engage with brain research and to provide tips on protecting brain health. [13] [14]

She is active in national and international media, particularly in discussions about dementia and ageing. [2] [15] [16] With funding from the NEIL project, she developed a series of films addressing memory loss and brain health with Trinity College Dublin and Trinity Brain Health called Freedem. [17] In 2016, Brennan was a Trinity College Dublin candidate for a seat in Seanad Éireann but was unsuccessful. [18] In 2019, her book 100 Days to a Younger Brain was published by Orion Spring. [19] [20]

Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dementia</span> Long-term brain disorders causing impaired memory, thinking and behavior

Dementia is the general name for a decline in cognitive abilities that impacts a person's ability to perform everyday activities. This typically involves problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Aside from memory impairment and a disruption in thought patterns, the most common symptoms include emotional problems, difficulties with language, and decreased motivation. The symptoms may be described as occurring in a continuum over several stages. Dementia ultimately has a significant effect on the individual, caregivers, and on social relationships in general. A diagnosis of dementia requires the observation of a change from a person's usual mental functioning and a greater cognitive decline than what is caused by normal aging.

Delirium is a specific state of acute confusion attributable to the direct physiological consequence of a medical condition, effects of a psychoactive substance, or multiple causes, which usually develops over the course of hours to days. As a syndrome, delirium presents with disturbances in attention, awareness, and higher-order cognition. People with delirium may experience other neuropsychiatric disturbances, including changes in psychomotor activity, disrupted sleep-wake cycle, emotional disturbances, disturbances of consciousness, or, altered state of consciousness, as well as perceptual disturbances, although these features are not required for diagnosis.

Aging of the brain is a process of transformation of the brain in older age, including changes all individuals experience and those of illness. Usually this refers to humans.

Cognitive disorders (CDs), also known as neurocognitive disorders (NCDs), are a category of mental health disorders that primarily affect cognitive abilities including learning, memory, perception, and problem-solving. Neurocognitive disorders include delirium, mild neurocognitive disorders, and major neurocognitive disorder. They are defined by deficits in cognitive ability that are acquired, typically represent decline, and may have an underlying brain pathology. The DSM-5 defines six key domains of cognitive function: executive function, learning and memory, perceptual-motor function, language, complex attention, and social cognition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlantic Philanthropies</span> Private philanthropic foundation

The Atlantic Philanthropies (AP) was a private foundation created in 1982 by American businessman Chuck Feeney. The Atlantic Philanthropies focused its giving on health, social, and politically left-leaning public policy causes in Australia, Bermuda, Ireland, South Africa, the United States and Vietnam. It was among the largest foreign charitable donors in each of the countries in which it operated, and was the single largest funder of programs that encouraged the civic engagement of older people and of comprehensive immigration reform in the United States. With the single largest advocacy grant ever made by a foundation, the Atlantic Philanthropies committed $27 million to win passage of the Affordable Care Act in the United States. About half of the Atlantic Philanthropies' grants were made in donations that allow lobbying.

Brain training is a program of regular activities purported to maintain or improve one's cognitive abilities. The phrase “cognitive ability” usually refers to components of fluid intelligence such as executive function and working memory. Cognitive training reflects a hypothesis that cognitive abilities can be maintained or improved by exercising the brain, analogous to the way physical fitness is improved by exercising the body. Cognitive training activities can take place in numerous modalities such as cardiovascular fitness training, playing online games or completing cognitive tasks in alignment with a training regimen, playing video games that require visuospatial reasoning, and engaging in novel activities such as dance, art, and music.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a neurocognitive disorder which involves cognitive impairments beyond those expected based on an individual's age and education but which are not significant enough to interfere with instrumental activities of daily living. MCI may occur as a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease. It includes both memory and non-memory impairments. The cause of the disorder remains unclear, as well as both its prevention and treatment, with some 50 percent of people diagnosed with it going on to develop Alzheimer's disease within five years. The diagnosis can also serve as an early indicator for other types of dementia, although MCI may remain stable or even remit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alzheimer's disease</span> Progressive neurodegenerative disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and progressively worsens, and is the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events. As the disease advances, symptoms can include problems with language, disorientation, mood swings, loss of motivation, self-neglect, and behavioral issues. As a person's condition declines, they often withdraw from family and society. Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death. Although the speed of progression can vary, the typical life expectancy following diagnosis is three to nine years.

Perminder Sachdev is an Indian neuropsychiatrist based in Australia. He is a professor of neuropsychiatry at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), co-director of the UNSW Centre for Healthy Brain Aging, and clinical director of the Neuropsychiatric Institute at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney. He is considered a trailblazer in the field of neuropsychiatry. Sachdev's research interests include ageing, vascular cognitive disorders such as vascular dementia, and psychiatric disorders.

Ian Robertson is a Scottish neuroscientist and clinical psychologist, and Professor of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin. He is also known as a leading researcher as to how an individual may harness the attention system of one's mind to enhance autonomy over emotions and cognitive function.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynn Ruane</span> Irish independent politician

Lynn Ruane is an Irish politician who has served as an Independent Senator for the Dublin University constituency in Seanad Éireann since April 2016. She was the President of the Trinity College Dublin Students' Union from 2015 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queensland Brain Institute</span> Neuroscience research institute at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia

The Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) is an Australian neuroscience research institute, located in Brisbane at the St Lucia campus of The University of Queensland (UQ). Founding director Professor Perry Bartlett established the QBI in 2003 with assistance from The University of Queensland, Queensland State Government, and Chuck Feeney, founder of The Atlantic Philanthropies. The purpose-built facility was commissioned in 2004 and on 19 November 2007, the building was opened by former Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.

Kaarin Anstey is an Australian Laureate Fellow and one of Australia's top dementia scientists. She is Co-Deputy Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR) at the University of New South Wales, Australia, where she is Scientia Professor of Psychology. Kaarin Anstey is an Honorary Professor at the Australian National University and a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. She is a Director of the NHMRC Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration, Senior Principal Research Scientist at NeuRA and leads the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Cognitive Health and the UNSW Ageing Futures Institute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rose Anne Kenny</span> Irish geriatrician, neuroscientist and cardiologist

Rose Anne Kenny is an Irish geriatrician. She is the Regius Professor of Physic and a professor of medical gerontology at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), director of the Falls and Black-out Unit at St James's Hospital in Dublin, director of the Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing and founding principal investigator for The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). She was admitted in 2014 to the Royal Irish Academy in recognition of academic excellence and achievement. Kenny is a fellow of Trinity College Dublin and of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of Ireland, London and Edinburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linda Doyle</span> Irish engineer, professor and academic leader

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Patricia Mary Kearney is an Irish epidemiologist. In May 2016, she was appointed Professor of Epidemiology at University College Cork and Europe Regional Councillor of the International Epidemiological Association. She is the Irish lead PI for TRUST, an EU funded FP7 clinical trial in subclinical hypothyroidism in healthy older adults and was named one of six Health Research Board (HRB) Research Leaders to "address strategic gaps and leadership capacity in population health and health services research in Ireland."

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "From Acting to Brain Research, Trinity's Sabina Brennan is Finding Her Way". www.universitytimes.ie. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  2. 1 2 Butler, Kate (16 March 2014). "This is what I do". The Sunday Times. ISSN   0956-1382 . Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  3. ↑ O'Connell, Claire (9 December 2008). "Leaving soap for science". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  4. ↑ "From electrocution to ecstasy - the most dramatic Fair City exits ever". Independent.ie. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  5. ↑ Quinlan, Áilín (23 May 2019). "Former Fair City star to discuss reducing risk of developing dementia". www.irishexaminer.com. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  6. ↑ Brennan, Sabina (2011). Neurocognitive and electrophysiological indices of cognitive performance in ageing (PhD thesis). Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland). School of Psychology. hdl:2262/83142.
  7. ↑ "Sabina Brennan - Google Scholar Citations". scholar.google.com. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  8. ↑ Kelly, Michelle E.; Loughrey, David; Lawlor, Brian A.; Robertson, Ian H.; Walsh, Cathal; Brennan, Sabina (1 May 2015). "The impact of cognitive training and mental stimulation on cognitive and everyday functioning of healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Ageing Research Reviews. 15: 28–43. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2014.02.004. hdl: 2262/68232 . ISSN   1568-1637. PMID   24607830. S2CID   24089701.
  9. ↑ Kelly, Michelle E.; Loughrey, David; Lawlor, Brian A.; Robertson, Ian H.; Walsh, Cathal; Brennan, Sabina (1 July 2014). "The impact of exercise on the cognitive functioning of healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Ageing Research Reviews. 16: 12–31. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2014.05.002. ISSN   1568-1637. PMID   24862109. S2CID   205667565.
  10. ↑ "Neuro-Enhancement for Independent Lives (NEIL) | Atlantic Philanthropies". The Atlantic Philanthropies. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  11. ↑ Brennan, Marjorie (28 September 2016). "Architecture exhibition entry aims to show how planned space can help people with dementia". www.irishexaminer.com. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  12. ↑ Hannigan, Caoimhe; Coen, Robert F.; Lawlor, Brian A.; Robertson, Ian H.; Brennan, Sabina (27 June 2015). "The NEIL Memory Research Unit: psychosocial, biological, physiological and lifestyle factors associated with healthy ageing: study protocol". BMC Psychology. 3 (1): 20. doi: 10.1186/s40359-015-0079-y . ISSN   2050-7283. PMC   4486120 . PMID   26131366.
  13. ↑ "Hello Brain". www.hellobrain.eu. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  14. 1 2 O’Connell, Claire (13 January 2017). "TCD researcher Sabina Brennan puts brain health on the radar". Silicon Republic. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  15. ↑ Brennan, Sabina (18 November 2019). "'Unless you make the most of your life, you waste it' - Dr Sabina Brennan on why she's happiest in her 50s". Independent.ie. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  16. ↑ Slaney, Rowan (23 April 2016). "The Science of Shakespeare - Science Weekly podcast". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  17. ↑ "FreeDem Films". FreeDemLiving.com. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  18. ↑ O'Halloran, Marie. "Novices offer independent expertise as TCD Seanad candidates". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  19. ↑ BRENNAN, DR SABRINA. (2019). 100 DAYS TO A YOUNGER BRAIN : improve your memory, fight dementia and ensure your future brain health. ORION SPRING. ISBN   978-1-4091-8496-6. OCLC   1035823234.
  20. ↑ O'Connell, Claire. "The rolling benefits of banking that brain health". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  21. ↑ McMullan, Dominique (14 December 2018). "Introducing the IMAGE Women of the Year 2018". IMAGE.ie. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  22. ↑ Ahlstrom, Dick. "Big data scientist wins researcher of the year award". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  23. ↑ "Professor Sabina Brennan Receives Trinity Innovation Award for Societal Impact". www.adaptcentre.ie. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
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