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Collapsibility Of The Human Upper Airway: Relationships Between Sleep, Sedation, Anaesthesia And Head Posture.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$469,359.00
Summary
The proposed studies will examine the sites and mechanisms of narrowing and collapse of the upper airway (throat) in individuals with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) during different levels of general anaesthesia, stages of sleep and head postures. The studies will help us understand the reasons for upper airway collapse in individuals with OSA and may result in the development of methods of identifying the most appropriate patients for specific surgical treatments of OSA.
Interaction Between Sleep Apnea And Metabolic Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$423,650.00
Summary
In this proposal, we will study possible ways in which sleep disordered breathing (snoring sickness or sleep apnea) may cause or worsen metabolic syndrome. Sleep apnea is a common disorder frequently linked to metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of health risk factors including increased risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and excess fat around the abdomen. Metabolic syndrome is an important cause of increased death from cardiovascular disease and affects abou ....In this proposal, we will study possible ways in which sleep disordered breathing (snoring sickness or sleep apnea) may cause or worsen metabolic syndrome. Sleep apnea is a common disorder frequently linked to metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of health risk factors including increased risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and excess fat around the abdomen. Metabolic syndrome is an important cause of increased death from cardiovascular disease and affects about 3 million Australians. Our theory is that lack of oxygen during sleep and disruption of normal sleep patterns leads to increased activity of the body stress handling systems and damage to the lining of the body's blood vessels. In turn, this may promote high blood fat levels and cause excess fat deposits in muscle and liver. We will measure blood, muscle and liver fat changes with treatment of sleep apnea. We believe that by damaging the lining of blood vessels, sleep apnea will also cause an inability of the body's arteries to relax properly. We will measure sleep apnea and the ability of the body's arteries to expand using novel techniques before and after treatment of sleep apnea. We will also take people off treatment to see if these changes get worse. Part of the proposal includes investigating whether snoring and lack of oxygen during sleep leads to increased blood fat levels. Finally, in another study, we will measure the change in metabolic syndrome related disorders in people with sleep apnea losing weight.Read moreRead less
The Interactions Between Sleep Disordered Breathing, Metabolic Syndrome And Vascular Risk.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$361,030.00
Summary
We will look at two common diseases in the Australian community, the metabolic syndrome and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and explore the common links they have to the risk of disease of the heart and blood vessels. We will then take a group of patients who have both diseases, treat the OSA, and assess the impact of this treatment on their cardiovascular health. Metabolic syndrome is a term given to patients who have high blood sugar, obesity, high lipid levels and raised blood pressure. The A ....We will look at two common diseases in the Australian community, the metabolic syndrome and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and explore the common links they have to the risk of disease of the heart and blood vessels. We will then take a group of patients who have both diseases, treat the OSA, and assess the impact of this treatment on their cardiovascular health. Metabolic syndrome is a term given to patients who have high blood sugar, obesity, high lipid levels and raised blood pressure. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that half the Australian population is overweight, and US studies suggest that nearly of the adult population has metabolic syndrome. This is strongly linked to diseases of the heart and blood vessels, eg heart attacks and stroke. Patients with OSA stop breathing during the night when their throat closes over. The blood oxygen falls, which causes the patient to wake momentarily, then start breathing again. This cycle repeats itself throughout the night. The usual treatment is an air pump (CPAP) connected to a nose mask, which blows air into the throat and prevents closure. This disease is strongly linked to high blood pressure, raised blood sugar levels and heart and blood vessel disease. Patients with the metabolic syndrome will have an overnight sleep study to diagnose OSA, giving the likelihood of having OSA in this group of patients. They will then have extensive investigations of the health of their heart and blood vessels. From these, we will determine which aspects of OSA are more likely to result in cardiovascular disease. Those patients diagnosed with OSA will be treated with CPAP for 3 months. Half the patients will receive normal CPAP; the other half will receive ineffective CPAP. They will then be re-tested and we will compare the results before and after treatment. Thus we will measure likelihood of OSA in this large group of patients, and the health benefits they may gain from treatment of their OSA.Read moreRead less
Conquering The Final Frontier In Lung Transplantation - Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy For Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,887,790.00
Summary
Lung transplantation remains the only treatment option for an increasing number of Australians with end-stage lung disease, however long-term outcomes are severely compromised by the almost universal development of chronic rejection. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold great promise in treating rejection, and in a world-first we have recently demonstrated that this approach is safe. In another world-first, this randomized, controlled study will determine whether MSC therapy is effective.
Cardiometabolic Changes After Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment For Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$82,421.00
Summary
CPAP is the preferred treatment for patients with OSA because of its well-proven ability to decrease sleepiness and improve blood pressure control. This study will definitively establish if CPAP can also improve markers of cardio-metabolic health, such as visceral fat, insulin sensitivity, central blood pressure and arterial stiffness. The results of the study will shed light on the broader health consequences of OSA and contributes to the development of more targeted treatment strategies.
Metabolic And Neurobiological Changes After Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment For Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$503,497.00
Summary
CPAP is the preferred treatment for patients with OSA because of its well-proven ability to decrease sleepiness and improve blood pressure control. This study will definitively establish if CPAP can also improve markers of cardio-metabolic health, such as visceral fat, insulin sensitivity, central blood pressure and arterial stiffness. The results of the study will shed light on the broader health consequences of OSA and contribute to the development of more targeted treatment strategies.
Regional Mechanisms Of Ventilator Induced Lung Injury: Insights From Dynamic Lung Imaging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,323.00
Summary
Mortality rates due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are high (>30%). While ARDS requires mechanical ventilation as a lifesaving intervention, it is clear that mechanical ventilation itself can contribute to the high mortality rates. We will use a new lung imaging technology (CTXV) to visualize the damage that occurs to the lung as a result of mechanical ventilation in order to design better ventilation strategies and reduce mortality rates in these critically ill patients.
Sleep loss and disordered sleep is now recognised as contributing to mortality, chronic disease and economic health burden. The CCRE in Interdisciplinary Sleep Health (CRISH) aims to investigate the biology of sleep, and to prevent and to treat disorders of sleep through a uniquely interdisciplinary approach. The centre will support world-class interventional research aimed to inform clinical practice and alter health policy. The next generation of sleep researchers will be fostered through nati ....Sleep loss and disordered sleep is now recognised as contributing to mortality, chronic disease and economic health burden. The CCRE in Interdisciplinary Sleep Health (CRISH) aims to investigate the biology of sleep, and to prevent and to treat disorders of sleep through a uniquely interdisciplinary approach. The centre will support world-class interventional research aimed to inform clinical practice and alter health policy. The next generation of sleep researchers will be fostered through national and international collaborations.Read moreRead less
Genomic Adaptation Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa In The Cystic Fibrosis Airway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,351.00
Summary
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is an important respiratory pathogen in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) which causes substantial morbidity and mortality. Its genetic versatility enables it to thrive in a wide diversity of environment. This study aims to assess the genomic adaptation of the common Pa strains among the Australian CF patients during chronic infection and during intravenous antibiotics therapy. The study results can lead to development of novel treatment options for Pa infection in CF.