Insulin Regulated Aminopeptidase: A New Cardiovascular Target
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$672,650.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease, leading to heart attack or stroke is the largest cause of death in Australia. We have evidence that inhibition of a newly described enzyme (IRAP) by angiotensin IV is protective in a model of atherosclerosis. Excitingly we have preliminary data indicating that mice deficient in IRAP have better vascular function therefore we will further investigate this as well as the effectiveness of newly developed IRAP inhibitors in preventing development of cardiovascular disease.
A common medical problem is the inability to maintain normal blood pressure while standing. This can cause blackouts, falls and injury. The available medical treatment is very deficient, because the various body mechanisms at play are poorly understood, so it has not been possible to specifically target the root cause. This grant application aims to study patients with these “postural hypotension” disorders, to better understand how the problems develop, and consequently, to provide better medic ....A common medical problem is the inability to maintain normal blood pressure while standing. This can cause blackouts, falls and injury. The available medical treatment is very deficient, because the various body mechanisms at play are poorly understood, so it has not been possible to specifically target the root cause. This grant application aims to study patients with these “postural hypotension” disorders, to better understand how the problems develop, and consequently, to provide better medical treatment.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Physiological Advantage Behind Delayed Cord Clamping.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$647,539.00
Summary
Surviving the transition to newborn life at birth is critically dependent upon a major re-organization of the infant’s circulation which is triggered by umbilical cord occlusion and the onset of air-breathing. This application is focused on investigating procedures that assist in stabilising the circulation during the newborn period and protect it from large swings in cardiac output and blood flow that have the potential to cause vascular-related injury in newborn infants.
Reduction Of The Cardiovascular Response Of Psychological Stress Through Blockade Of Orexin’s Action On One Of Its Receptors.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,925.00
Summary
Anxiety, fear of challenges, frustration are part of modern life stressors. Our body reacts to these stressors by increasing blood pressure and heart rate, which in turn can harm our cardiovascular system and precipitate cardiovascular accidents. In this project we test a new class of drugs that act on a neurochemical system implicated in these particular responses. If our hypothesis is correct, one of these drugs could be used to relax the cardiovascular system and protect it in times of stress ....Anxiety, fear of challenges, frustration are part of modern life stressors. Our body reacts to these stressors by increasing blood pressure and heart rate, which in turn can harm our cardiovascular system and precipitate cardiovascular accidents. In this project we test a new class of drugs that act on a neurochemical system implicated in these particular responses. If our hypothesis is correct, one of these drugs could be used to relax the cardiovascular system and protect it in times of stress.Read moreRead less
Consequences Of Elevated Maternal Glucocorticoids For Early Childhood Renal Development And Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,190.00
Summary
A growing body of evidence links maternal stress, such as that precipitated by financial problems or relationship issues (marriage break-up, physical or emotional abuse), with preterm birth and low-birth weight, which in turn has been linked to increased risk of adult disease. Our studies examine how maternal stress impacts on kidney development in childhood and sets the child on the path to cardiovascular disease in adulthood.
Investigating The Mechanisms That Increase Nerve-evoked Vasoconstriction Following Spinal Cord Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,547.00
Summary
People with spinal cord injury not only lose control of their arms and legs but also lose control of their bladder and bowel. They also have poor control of blood pressure and an overfull bladder or bowel can lead to dangerously high blood pressure. In this project, we are investigating how this abnormal high blood pressure is generated. The aim is to develop treatments which target the mechanisms which increase the blood pressure responses elicited by the bladder and bowel.
Pulmonary hypertension is a disease affecting the blood vessels in the lungs that causes severe shortness of breath and early death. Genetic mutations are known to cause this disease but the precise link between these mutations and the changes in the lungs are poorly understood. If we could understand this process better, we could design better treatments. This project will look at how the cells in the lungs communicate with each other and how this process is disturbed in pulmonary hypertension.
THE ROLE OF DIFFUSE MYOCARDIAL FIBROSIS IN MYOCARDIAL STIFFNESS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$545,126.00
Summary
In many cardiac diseases stiffening of the heart can occur, resulting in worsening symptoms of breathlessness, fatigue and even death. Whilst the exact cause of heart stiffening is not well known, fibrosis of the heart is believed to of prime importance. This research will examine the contribution of fibrosis to heart stiffening, using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) as a non-invasive means of assessing heart fibrosis.
In What Position Should We Be Sleeping Preterm Infants In The NICU?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,742.00
Summary
Preterm babies are at risk of brain injury caused by low cerebral blood flow and oxygenation. The prone sleeping position (lying on abdomen) has been found to decrease both cerebral oxygenation and blood pressure in healthy term babies, and is a major risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. However, it is common practice for preterm babies to be slept in the prone position.This study will examine the effects of prone vs supine positions on brain oxygenation in the preterm babies.
Developmental Origins Of Adult Cardiovascular Disease: Vascular Health In The Raine Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,087,427.00
Summary
The Raine study is a unique long term experiment that has collected extensive pre-birth and childhood data in ~3000 young Australians, who are now 27 years old. We plan to measure the artery health of 1200 of these volunteers and to determine what factors, both before and after birth, influence the presence of early atherosclerosis in humans. This study will guide strategies aimed at early prevention of heart attacks and stroke in humans, by defining the major risk factors.