The Role Of Endogenous Glucocorticoids In Autoimmune Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$693,185.00
Summary
Inflammatory joint diseases affect millions of people worldwide and in most patients these often chronic conditions can not be cured. In an experimental model of arthritis we have found that bone cells can modify the severity of inflammation when certain hormonal signals are blocked. This study will identify the mechanisms underlying these hormonal effects with the aim to find new targets for efficient treatments for arthritis.
Determinants Of Cardiovascular Health Over The Lifecourse In A Population-based Cohort Study Of Australian Families
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,161.00
Summary
This unique project will examine the heart health of roughly 3500 11-12 year olds in Australia's only nationally-representative children's study. It will then examine factors that may contribute to differing heart disease progression. We will characterise established factors (such as cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes), as well as measures of infection burden and inflammation to examine the innovative theory that childhood infection and/or its treatment contribute to poorer heart health.
I conduct ethnographic, epidemiological and clinical research on drug use and related harms and studies of behavioural and biomedical prevention interventions designed to prevent infectious diseases in vulnerable populations, with a focus on injecting dru
MECHANISMS OF CEREBROVASCULAR REGULATION IN HEALTH AND DISEASE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$216,430.00
Summary
Failure of the cerebral circulation to meet the brain's immediate high nutritive requirements results in stroke in just a few minutes. Stroke continues to be a major cause of death and disability, and this major medical challenge requires urgent and significant research at the basic level to better understand mechanisms of normal, and then abnormal, regulation of cerebral artery function. The project will examine the importance of a novel mechanism in regulating brain blood flow by affecting the ....Failure of the cerebral circulation to meet the brain's immediate high nutritive requirements results in stroke in just a few minutes. Stroke continues to be a major cause of death and disability, and this major medical challenge requires urgent and significant research at the basic level to better understand mechanisms of normal, and then abnormal, regulation of cerebral artery function. The project will examine the importance of a novel mechanism in regulating brain blood flow by affecting the degree of opening of the cerebral arteries. This mechanism involves activation of an enzyme, Rho-kinase, which is present in the wall of blood vessels. The applicants believe that this process plays an important role in the normal, healthy regulation of blood supply to the brain. Moreover, there are strong reasons for us to speculate that the function of this enzyme is abnormally high in two disease states that are associated with an increased risk of stroke - high blood pressure and subarachnoid haemorrhage. We will employ a variety of techniques to assess the importance of Rho-kinase in cerebral artery function in the living body, and also in isolated segments of artery. The results are expected to provide major new insight into mechanisms that regulate brain blood flow, and the knowledge gained here may lead to better therapies to prevent or treat stroke.Read moreRead less
Monitoring cardiovascular risk is a major part of the clinical workload both in general practice and specialty areas, but it is an under-researched area, reflected in a general lack of evidence based guidelines. My research will evaluate how to optimise the monitoring of cardiovascular risk both before and after starting treatment. By maximising clinical benefits for patients and minimising unnecessary resource use, my research will benefit patients, clinicians and the community at large.
Personalised Exercise As Medicine. Optimising The Prescription To Maximise The Benefit
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,490.00
Summary
Humans have never been less physically active than in contemporary Western society. These studies will provide an evidence-basis to address the inactivity epidemic by laying the foundation for personalised and effective exercise prescriptions, to which people are more likely to adhere.