Effect Of Aging And Mitochondrial Dysfunction On The Optic Nerve Response To Pressure-induced Oxidative Stress
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,554.00
Summary
The risk of glaucoma, a potentially blinding disease of the optic nerve, increases exponentially with age, but the cellular mechanisms responsible are not known. We hypothesise that age-related changes in mitochondria, the energy producing part of the cell, render nerve cells prone to damage. This project will determine whether aging and mitochondrial impairment increase nerve damage and whether dietary moodifications that preserve mitochondria during aging, protect the optic nerve from damage
Characterising Protein And Membrane Changes In Age-related Cataract Lenses.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,624.00
Summary
Cataract is the major cause of blindness worldwide. At present the only treatment for cataract, is surgery. This, however, is associated with complications (e.g. posterior capsule opacification), is expensive (a major component of the Health budget) and cannot keep pace with the incidence of cataract in developing nations. In addition, due to the greying of the community , this problem will be of increasing importance in the future. For prevention, we need to understand why cataract develops.
Development Of A Novel Intervention For Training Stepping Ability To Reduce The Risk Of Falls In Older Adults.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,393.00
Summary
Stepping is often the last protective option to prevent a fall. This study will first modify and validate an interactive system for training stepping ability in older adults. The system will be also provide the capability of acquiring indeices of stepping ability in the home. We will investigate the effect of an in-home training program using this system on stepping ability and falls risk. Findings will inform future interventions for preventing falls.
The Role Of Androgens In Angiogenesis And Endothelial Progenitor Cell Mobilisation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$272,591.00
Summary
The Role of Male Sex Hormones in Regulating New Blood Vessel Growth AIMS This proposed project seeks to investigate the role that male sex hormones (androgens) play in: 1) Regulating new blood vessel growth 2) Mobilising cells from the bone marrow which assist in blood vessel repair and growth. BACKGROUND Increasing evidence indicates that the heart and blood vessels are able to repair themselves in response to disease. For example, when a coronary artery becomes severely narrow as a result of d ....The Role of Male Sex Hormones in Regulating New Blood Vessel Growth AIMS This proposed project seeks to investigate the role that male sex hormones (androgens) play in: 1) Regulating new blood vessel growth 2) Mobilising cells from the bone marrow which assist in blood vessel repair and growth. BACKGROUND Increasing evidence indicates that the heart and blood vessels are able to repair themselves in response to disease. For example, when a coronary artery becomes severely narrow as a result of disease, the body can partially compensate by making new blood vessels in a process termed angiogenesis. Recently, cells circulating in the blood stream have been found to have the ability to assist in angiogenesis and in blood vessel repair. These cells, which come from the bone marrow, are called endothelial progenitor cells. Endothelial progenitor cells are therefore an important part of the cardiovascular system's ability to repair and maintain itself. While men are more likely to develop coronary artery disease than women, men are also more likely to have a favourable outcome after a heart attack compared to women. This gender difference after heart attacks, suggests that sex hormones such as the androgens, may play a role in the reparative response after a heart attack. In fact, there is evidence from some studies in cells and in animals that androgens increase blood vessel formation. RESEARCH PLAN We will study the effects of androgens on angiogenesis and in mobilising endothelial progenitor cells using human cells, animal studies and in a human clinical trial SIGNIFICANCE This research will help us further understand the differences between men and women in heart disease. It will also help us understand more about the risks-benefits of androgen replacement in older men.Read moreRead less