Circulating Tumour DNA (ctDNA) As A Diagnostic Tool In Colorectal Cancer: Role In Screening And Early Detection Of Metastatic Or Recurrent Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,478.00
Summary
These studies will be exploring the value of using a blood test to detect cancer DNA as a screening test for colorectal cancer. This test promises to be superior to faecal blood testing, which is currently performed as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. It may also have advantages over colonoscopy as a screening tool. Given the likely acceptability of having a blood based screening test, it is expected that participation rates in bowel cancer screening, which has been shown to ....These studies will be exploring the value of using a blood test to detect cancer DNA as a screening test for colorectal cancer. This test promises to be superior to faecal blood testing, which is currently performed as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. It may also have advantages over colonoscopy as a screening tool. Given the likely acceptability of having a blood based screening test, it is expected that participation rates in bowel cancer screening, which has been shown to save lives, will be greatly increased.Read moreRead less
Rates Of Psychosis Onset In A High Risk Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,359.00
Summary
Older studies of people at risk of schizophrenia found that about 35% of them developed psychosis within 1 year. However the risk has decreased lately to as low as 10%. They may still become psychotic but take longer to do so, or they may not develop psychosis at all. We need to study this so that those not “at risk” are not needlessly treated. We will follow up “at risk” people and determine their 6 year outcome. We will do scans to see if there are any brain changes associated with psychosis.
Blood Biomarkers For The Diagnosis Of Pre-clinical Alzheimer’s Disease Employing The Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,125,804.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and yet a postmortem examination serves as the only definitive diagnosis. The current proposal seeks to investigate alterations in biochemical profiles of individuals who will develop Alzheimer’s disease due to an inherited mutation, against family members who are non-carriers of the mutation, to identify AD related blood changes which can contribute towards the development of a diagnostic blood test for the disease.
NOVEL NON-INVASIVE METHODS FOR THE EARLY DETECTION OF PULMONARY VASCULAR DISEASE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,463.00
Summary
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe, progressive disorder. Current non-invasive diagnostic modalities are insensitive for detecting early disease, thus preventing early intervention with therapy. We aim to develop novel and reproducible ways to assess the pulmonary circulation, which will ultimately allow for the early diagnosis of PAH and in turn facilitate early initiation of treatment and improved patient outcomes.
CHEST Australia: Reducing Time To Consult In Primary Care With Symptoms Of Lung Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$913,227.00
Summary
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Australia and the second commonest cause of all deaths in men. Earlier, timely diagnosis could be a critical factor in improving lung cancer outcomes as many people present with late stage disease having had symptoms for a long time. This trial tests a novel nurse-led intervention in general practice aimed at promoting earlier consulting by people at higher risk of lung cancer when they develop chest symptoms.
Clinical, Genetic And Psychosocial Aspects Of Sudden Cardiac Death
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$433,423.00
Summary
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the young is a tragic complication of a number of genetic heart diseases. Families must deal with profound grief and act on the genetic risk to themselves and other relatives. Clinical management can include the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and is the only therapy proven to prevent SCD. This proposal seeks to investigate the clinical, genetic and psychosocial aspects of managing families who present following a SCD, including psychological outcomes o ....Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the young is a tragic complication of a number of genetic heart diseases. Families must deal with profound grief and act on the genetic risk to themselves and other relatives. Clinical management can include the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and is the only therapy proven to prevent SCD. This proposal seeks to investigate the clinical, genetic and psychosocial aspects of managing families who present following a SCD, including psychological outcomes of life-saving ICD therapy.Read moreRead less
Development Of Clinical Algorithms To Diagnose And Predict Prognosis Of Food Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$136,636.00
Summary
Australia has the highest rate of food allergy internationally. Despite ongoing research into the area, there is currently no cure, with patient avoidance the most effective mode for the prevention of food allergy. A food challenge still the gold standard for food allergy diagnosis, and although definitive, is associated with a risk of anaphylaxis. My research aims to identify the biological differences between active disease and being healthy to develop novel diagnostic methods for food allergy
Long Term Outcomes Of Infant Lung Function In Cystic Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,456.00
Summary
We have shown that babies with cystic fibrosis (CF) who are apparently well can still have lung problems. As lung disease is the major cause of death in CF we need ways to monitor the condition in babies, identify those at greatest risk of lung changes and predict which children should receive newer treatments. We have developed a unique program for the measurement of lung function in babies. We now aim to find out the long term consequences of lung function changes detected in infants with CF.
Closing The Gap In Early Childhood Development: Community Driven Evidence, Translation, Policy, And Practice - Grow Children Up Strong
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,656,625.00
Summary
This project aims to provide novel insights into the factors that facilitate good early childhood outcomes among Aboriginal children. It will take a different approach to the interrogation of a series of large, robust datasets by increasing the meaningful participation of Aboriginal parents, families and communities in the design of the research as well as the subsequent development of policy and practice solutions to the key challenges faced in early development.
REACH: Randomised Trial Of EArly Rehabilitation In Congenital Hemiplegia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$972,777.00
Summary
Infants with asymmetric brain lesions are at high risk of congenital hemiplegia. This study compares modified CIMT to an equal dose of bimanual training in 150 infants recruited at 3-6 months. Both therapies will be parent-delivered supported by experienced clinicians. Outcomes include use of the impaired hand in bimanual tasks, cognitive and motor development at 12 and 24 months c.a. with measures of neural structure and functional connectivity at 24 months. Early interventions that attenuate