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Each year approximately 24,000 Australian children are born too early. A new international study led by Western Australian researchers is studying the role that genetics play in preterm birth. This study will evaluate the genomes of 10,000 women of which 2,000 come from Western Australia. It is anticipated that this study will advance our knowledge about the genetic basis of preterm birth and assist in providing customised clinical care to those at highest risk.
Back pain reduces Australia�s GDP by $3.2 Billion per annum with over $1 billion being spent each year on low back pain treatments. While it makes sense to devote resources to prevention, unfortunately most prevention strategies do not work.We need a new approach based upon a better understanding of what triggers an episode of back pain. By studying risk factors that occur immediately prior to an episode of low back pain this project will increase understanding of what triggers an episode and op ....Back pain reduces Australia�s GDP by $3.2 Billion per annum with over $1 billion being spent each year on low back pain treatments. While it makes sense to devote resources to prevention, unfortunately most prevention strategies do not work.We need a new approach based upon a better understanding of what triggers an episode of back pain. By studying risk factors that occur immediately prior to an episode of low back pain this project will increase understanding of what triggers an episode and open the way for new, effective prevention programs.Read moreRead less
Improving Outcomes In Low Back Pain: Targeting Specific Therapies To Patient Subgroups
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,061.00
Summary
Low back pain is a major health problem worldwide. There is a lack of effective treatments and a “one size fits all” approach to treatment is being used. This innovative research program aims to change the way back pain is treated, by identifying specific types of back pain, determining the effectiveness of treatments for these types of back pain, and translating a targeted approach to management into clinical practice to improve the health of individuals with back pain.
An Exploration Of The Mechanisms Underlying A Novel Pain Biology Education Intervention (Explain Pain) In Reducing The Development Of Chronic Low Back Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$106,057.00
Summary
Chronic low back pain is a massive health problem in Australia. This research will investigate the underlying mechanisms of modulating one’s thoughts and beliefs about their pain via a psychoeducative intervention after an acute episode of low back pain. Exploring the mechanisms of this intervention is a crucial step towards understanding how explaining pain could reduce the development of chronic low back pain from an acute episode of low back pain.
Moving Research Into Practice – Using Process Evaluations Of Treatment Mechanisms To Inform The Implementation Of Evidence-based Healthcare
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Effective treatments must be integrated into clinical practice. But this process isn’t always efficient. One reason for this is a lack of understanding for how treatments work. My research will identify treatment mechanisms for chronic back pain (leading cause of disability world-wide) and use this information to integrate effective reatments into practice. I will work with experts from the Oxford Clinical Trials Unit, UK and apply this research to clinical health service units in Australia.
Unravelling The Impact Of An Energy-rich Environment On Susceptibility And Resistance To Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$796,754.00
Summary
Obesity in Australia is at a crisis point. It is clear that energy-rich environments and an individual’s genes leads to excessive weight gain, but what we don’t understand is why some individuals are more prone to this than others. Comprehending this biological regulation is imperative if we are to develop more effective drug or dietary treatments to abate this disease. Thus it is the aim of this grant to dissect the biological/genetic/possible epigenetic perturbations leading to common obesity.
Understanding The Mechanisms For Ameliorating/preventing Antipsychotic-induced Obesity In Early Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,496.00
Summary
There has been a sharp worldwide increase during the last decade in antipsychotic prescriptions (mostly “off-label”) to paediatric patients. One important issue is that antipsychotic drugs were developed for adult patients and normally have serious side-effects. This project will not only reveal the mechanisms of antipsychotic-induced obesity side-effects in youth, but will also explore intervention strategies for preventing antipsychotic-induced weight gain/obesity in paediatric patients.
Is Antibiotic Treatment Effective In The Management Of Chronic Low Back Pain In Those With Disc Herniation? A Double-blind, Randomised, Placebo-controlled Trial With An Economic Evaluation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$549,124.00
Summary
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, however treatments are limited. It has been hypothesised that following an acute disc injury a secondary infection may develop in the disc which leads to chronic back pain. This clinical trial will examine the effectiveness of antibiotics for the treatment of chronic low back pain (with disc herniation). If effective, this may provide a novel approach for the prevention of long term low back pain and disability.
Is Low Dose Amitriptyline More Effective Than Placebo In The Management Of Chronic, Neuropathic Low Back Pain? A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial With An Economic Evaluation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$306,889.00
Summary
Chronic low back pain is a major public health problem in Australia. Antidepressants are a common treatment for low back pain, with physicians often prescribing them at low doses for the treatment of pain. However, the use of antidepressants for low back pain is unproven. We aim to perform a clinical trial to examine whether antidepressants are more effective than placebo in reducing pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain.