Optic Nerve Head Structure And Genetic/environmental Associations: A Population-based SD-OCT Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
My research project combines two powerful new technologies, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography and the genome-wide association study, to investigate the physical and genetic characteristics of the optic nerve head in humans. Results from this work will help identify new glaucoma risk genes, increasing sensitivity and specificity for predicting glaucoma and expand our understanding of the disease mechanism allowing for the development of new treatments.
Molecular Interrogation Of Common Blinding Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$367,946.00
Summary
Common causes of blindness, such as macular degeneration, myopia, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma will be interrogated using a range of emerging molecular techniques. Large population-based cohorts will be studied to dissect complex gene-environment interactions. Data from case-control cohorts will be interrogated using new epigenetic techniques and Next Generation Sequencing will be used to identify rare disease-causing mutations.
Improving Visual Outcomes In Patients With Diabetic Macular Oedema Undergoing Cataract Surgery: A Prospective Randomised Clinical Trial (the DiMECat Trial)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,322.00
Summary
Cataract and diabetic retinopathy are the leading causes of visual loss in patients with diabetes, but unfortunately, cataract surgery in these patients often results in a loss of vision, rather than an improvement. The purpose of this study is to improve the visual outcomes in this group of patients, through the use of new, injected medicines that are given at the time of cataract surgery, thereby potentially changing current medical practice.
Improving The Bioavailability Of Peptide-based Therapeutics For The Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$341,123.00
Summary
Many diseases are controlled at the molecular level by proteins and their interactions with other proteins. Harmonin is a key protein in Usher syndrome, the most common form of deaf-blindness in humans, and harmonin has similarities to some proteins involved in Alzheimer’s disease. We seek to understand how harmonin works. The findings of this study may lead to new treatments for deaf-blindness and Alzheimer’s disease.
How Does The Trunk Influence Intersegmental Coordination During Functional Tasks In Parkinson’s Disease: A Risk Factor For Falls?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$328,032.00
Summary
Differences in trunk motion during dynamic tasks may provide a mechanism of falling in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. However, objective measures are needed to discern if these differences stem from deficits in motor programming or increased trunk stiffness. This information is critical for developing effective interventions. This project will incorporate innovative techniques to examine how the trunk muscles coordinate movement and control balance during walking in PD.
A Developmental Approach To Suicide Prevention And Related Harm Among Australian Youth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Suicide among Australian youth is a significant and increasing problem in Australia, and is currently the leading cause of death among those aged 15 - 44 years. Early prevention is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality associated with suicide, yet typically occurs too late to have long-term impact. In order to prevent suicidal risk, this Fellowship will focus on improving evidence-based childhood prevention, as well as risk identification, to increase the timeliness of intervention.
Population Dynamic Modelling Of The Public Health And Health Care Cost Implications Of Intervention To Prevent Lifestyle-related Disease And Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$381,789.00
Summary
There is growing interest in a more preventive model of health care in Australia. More than a third of poor health is attributable to risky behaviours, such as tobacco and alcohol use, obesity and poor nutrition, with lower socio-economic and Indigenous populations particularly affected. This research will develop new techniques to identify intervention strategies that should be given funding priority to achieve maximum improvement in population health and reduce the health inequalities.
TRIP Fellowship: Bridging The Evidence Practice Gap In Secondary Prevention In Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$146,247.00
Summary
Various medications have been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent vascular disease after stroke. This study aims to improve the frequency of use of these medications in patients discharged from hospital after a stroke.
Understanding Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) As A Pathway To Cardio-metabolic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Urinary disorders (such as incontinence, frequently voiding, weak stream, urgency and others) share many risk factors with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and may appear before CVD and T2DM manifest. This proposal will examine which particular urinary symptoms, combined with specific risk factors (e.g. obesity, depression, erectile dysfunction) best predict the occurrence of these high-burden conditions using community-based cohorts of men and women.
I-Medic (Intelligent Monitoring And Early Diagnosis In Communities)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
Falls cost $500 million annually and are increasing as our population ages. Dr Brodie has developed i-Medic, Intelligent Monitoring and Early Diagnosis In Communities. He is answering the questions: Why do people fall? How can we predict falls? And how do we prevent falls? His software, which may be incorporated into all future mobile phones, is capable of detecting, predicting and therefore preventing falls. In the event of a fall the software also activates an emergency response.