Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac rhythm disorder. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is four times more common among patients with AF than without. OSA has been associated with a greater recurrence rate of AF after initially successful treatment of AF and treatment of OSA reduces recurrence of AF. To identify the underlying mechanisms, we aim to determine effects of OSA on atrial electrical activation and to characterize sleep apnea in AF patients in a more precise way.
The mortality rate from community-acquired pneumonia has not improved over the past four decades. New pulmonary infectious diseases such as due to non tuberculous mycobacteria are causing increasing problems and bronchiectasis is responsible for an ever increasing mortality, morbidity and economic burden on our health system. This grant will support Professor Waterer in continuing to reduce the personal and society burden of pulmonary infections.
Cognitive Phenotyping And Personalised Treatment For Methamphetamine Addiction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,402.00
Summary
Prevention and treatment of addiction to stimulants such as methamphetamine is imperative for community health and safety. This fellowship will enable me to apply my expertise in impulsivity and addiction to identify people at risk of increasing methamphetamine use and to develop and evaluate cognitive training therapies that will empower people with methamphetamine related problems to control their drug use. Outcomes include a risk identification and triage tool and three novel therapies.
Mood and anxiety disorders represent a tremendous cause of disability and morbidity. This research will use cutting-edge brain imaging technologies to understand why these disorders typically emerge in young people and whether brain imaging can reliably predict the effectiveness of different treatments for individual patients.
Extinguishing Fearful And Addictive Brain During Adolescence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,437.00
Summary
Exposure therapies rely on the decrease in emotions to previous triggers due to the exposure to those triggers without an emotional event in a safe environment. Adolescence marks a period of maturation that is particularly resistant to such therapies, due to the imbalance of different receptors in their prefrontal cortex. We will redress such chemical imbalance by using existing clinically-approved drugs, and facilitate behavioural therapies to treat adolescent anxiety and substance abuse.
A Pharmacological Targeting Approach Implementing Albumin As A Carrier Of A Novel Chemotherapeutic
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
Novel agents that bind essential metals have emerged as a potential avenue for cancer therapy. My laboratory has developed potent anti-cancer agents, such as Dp44mT, that bind to the plasma protein, albumin. Notably, the uptake of Dp44mT into tumour cells was increased in the presence of albumin. My research will examine the mechanisms in the albumin-mediated increase in Dp44mT uptake into tumour cells, with the goal to develop albumin nanoparticles to selectively deliver our agents to tumours.
Improving Access To Psychological Treatment And The Mental Health Of Australians With Chronic Physical Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Most Australians will have to manage one or more chronic health conditions in their lifetime. Poor mental health is known to significantly compromise the medical treatment, self-management and, thus, the prognosis of adults with chronic physical disease. The proposed fellowship seeks to address three critical knowledge gaps limiting our ability to support the mental health of Australians with chronic physical diseases.