Structural Connectomes In Traumatic Brain Injury: Can Secondary Disease Progression Be Stopped And Cognitive Deficits Be Reversed?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Many people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience cognitive problems, including poor memory and concentration. TBI is often referred to as a ‘hidden disability’ because the overwhelming majority of patients with TBI show no abnormalities on standard MRI or CT scans. In my project, I will delineate the mechanisms of secondary injury in finer detail through enhanced neuroimaging techniques, resulting in new assessment and treatment modalities for individuals with TBI.
Understanding Typical And Atypical Development Of The Infant Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
This project will apply advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to understand how brain abnormalities in preterm infants relate to their functional impairments. It aims to: develop new software to easily and accurately measure infant brain structures and tissues; understand the neurobiological basis for adverse outcomes, enabling diagnosis of high risk preterm infants; and identify MRI biomarkers to assess interventions designed to give Australian babies a healthier start to life.
Longitudinal Studies Of Knee Osteoathritic Changes Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,872.00
Summary
The associations between MRI-assessed knee structural changes and radiographic changes over 5 years in older people will be determined. The effects of physical activity in adults and childhood, and the roles of inflammation will be described. The study represents a cost-effective comprehensive approach to osteoarthritis, a major public health problem, and is a natural progression of previous work that supports the objectives of the Bone and Joint Decade and addresses a national health priority.
Imaging The Human Brain Connectome And Its Application To Psychiatric Disorders.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
The human brain has long been conceptualized as a complex neural network. The connections of this network are yet to be characterized in full detail. Only recent technological advances in imaging have made possible to visualize the network architecture of the living brain. My fellowship will focus on using MRI techniques to map the interconnected network of the brain also called as the “connectome” and apply this knowledge to advance the understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Is Stroke Neurodegenerative? A Longitudinal Study Of Changes In Brain Volume And Cognition Following Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,946.00
Summary
There is no direct evidence linking Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and stroke. It is unknown whether stroke can trigger progressive dementia in the same way as AD. In a group of stroke patients, I will measure MRI brain volume and cognition in the 5 years after stroke. These findings will be critical for identification of those patients most at risk of dementia after stroke. This may allow future early intervention for these patients, via promising AD disease-modifying therapies.
Examining New Treatments And Developing New Treatment Biomarkers For Youth With Severe Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,381.00
Summary
Antidepressant medications and psychotherapy have been the mainstays of depression treatment in young people, but given their modest effectiveness, there is a pressing need for new treatment strategies. During this fellowship I aim to examine better treatments for depression, and develop better predictors about who is likely to benefit from them.
Characterisation Of Sub-clinical Cardiac Dysfunction Using Novel Cardiac Exercise Imaging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,552.00
Summary
Heart failure is caused by heart muscle weakness and is associated with reduced quality of life and survival. Identification of heart failure in its earliest stages provides clinicians with an opportunity to institute preventative measures and prevent patients from developing symptoms. This project utilises novel ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging techniques performed during exercise to identify heart muscle weakness at its earliest stage.
Refining Treatment Strategies For Youth Depression: Clinical Trials And Biomarker Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,221.00
Summary
Depression is the biggest contributor to disease burden of all illnesses suffered by young people. Despite this existing treatments are often not effective. The Career Development Fellowship will aid efforts to improve treatments for youth depression, by enabling the implementation of important clinical trials, and the identification and development of imaging biomarkers that can help to target treatments at patients most likely to benefit from them.