Executive Dysfunction And Brain Development In Very Preterm 13-year-olds - A Longitudinal MRI Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$738,656.00
Summary
An area of concern for very preterm children is executive function (i.e. skills used for problem solving), which is related to educational problems, behavioural issues and social difficulties. In very preterm children this study will 1) determine if executive function problems remain stable, worsen, or improve with age; 2) look for markers for these problems from infant brain scans; and 3) examine how executive function difficulties are related to brain re-organisation.
DETERMINING THE MECHANISMS LEADING TO LONG-TERM IMPAIRMENT IN VERY PRETERM CHILDREN: THE VIBeS LONGITUDINAL STUDY.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,061,733.00
Summary
Approximately 50% of children born very preterm will develop significant problems. The objective of this project is to determine the mechanisms leading to these problems. We will do this by assessing at school-age a unique and valuable cohort of very preterm infants (VIBeS cohort) who had state-of-the-art brain scans shortly after birth and neurobehaviour assessments across early childhood. This school-age follow-up will involve repeat brain scans and detailed neuropsychological assessments.
The Relationship Between Cognition And Interictal Discharges: Language Organization And Spike Localisation In BECTS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$216,500.00
Summary
Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS, rolandic epilepsy) is a common cause of seizures in primary school children. Despite this it is poorly understood. Although seizures are infrequent, brainwave recordings (electroencephalography, EEG) reveal striking abnormalities present much of the time. Large, sharply contoured brain waves (spikes) are seen frequently, increasing during sleep. The pattern of the spikes, and the characteristic nature of seizures have suggested the epilepsy ari ....Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS, rolandic epilepsy) is a common cause of seizures in primary school children. Despite this it is poorly understood. Although seizures are infrequent, brainwave recordings (electroencephalography, EEG) reveal striking abnormalities present much of the time. Large, sharply contoured brain waves (spikes) are seen frequently, increasing during sleep. The pattern of the spikes, and the characteristic nature of seizures have suggested the epilepsy arises near the face area of the motor cortex, but this remains unproven. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a safe and non-invasive way of imaging cerebral function, to reveal the brain at work . The technology is contributing to major advances in understanding of basic human functions such as language. Recent developments at the Brain Research Institute in Melbourne mean it is now possible to record EEG during fMRI. This has permitted visualisation of spike activity in the brain. The BRI is the only centre in Australia, and one of only a handful in the world that is able to perform such studies. One purpose of this study is reveal the location of spikes in BECTS. Recent studies have revealed subtle language and learning difficulties in BECTS children. Our preliminary EEG-fMRI studies have suggested spikes arise from brain regions adjacent to important language areas. It is possible that the frequent spikes of BECTS are interfering with adjacent cognitive processes. In addition to spike mapping, we will perform functional imaging of language to look for interactions between spike and language areas, and compare with patterns of language activation seen in normal children. The demonstration of spike related affects on cognition may lead to a reassessment of current epilepsy management strategies, which focus predominately on seizure control. This study, with researchers in Cairns and Melbourne, shares the benefits of world class research with regional Australia.Read moreRead less
Aberrant Brain Development In High Risk Newborns: Relationship With Long Term Developmental Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$185,932.00
Summary
Brain development and long term outcomes are altered in high-risk babies. This research looks at the developmental outcomes of 3 high-risk baby groups i.e. late preterm babies (born 4-8 weeks premature), babies with seizures, and preterm babies who have received probiotics in the newborn nursery. In addition, how their brain development may be different compared with healthy term babies will be studies using advanced magnetic resonance imaging.
The Cause Of Undescended Testis And Inguinal Hernia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$743,848.00
Summary
This study aims to define in both animal models and children how the testis descends from the abdomen to scrotum, and how undescended testis and inguinal hernia are likely to be caused by defects in the same, very indirect signalling pathway. The results will demonstrate where to look for genetic causes and proof of principle for possible future medical treatments for the 3 commonest major operations in children for congenital and acquired undescended testis and inguinal hernia.
Understanding White Matter Injury In Term-born Children With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$193,863.00
Summary
The type of brain injury in cerebral palsy varies. In some children the brain develops abnormally in early pregnancy; others have a stroke or suffer from lack of oxygen around the time of birth. Little is known about the group of children born at term who have damage to the brain’s white matter, a pattern more typical of premature birth. This project will explore brain imaging, potential risk factors, and clinical outcomes for these children to identify possible causes and prevention pathways.
Developmental Changes In Cerebral Oxygenation After Term And Preterm Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,306.00
Summary
Approximately 10% of all births are preterm and the numbers of infants surviving are increasing. We have previously found that infants born preterm have lower blood pressure over the first 6 months after term equivalent age than infants born at term. We will use new technology to examine how preterm birth affects brain oxygenation and how this is altered with gestational age, sleep states and sleeping position, to provide insights into their increased risk for SIDS.
Mechanisms Contributing To Long-term Neuronal Loss After Hypoxia-ischemia In The Premature Neonate Brain.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,535.00
Summary
A lack of oxygen (hypoxia) and blood flow to the brain (ischemia) around the time of birth can cause brain injury that perists into adulthood. The burdens on financial, educational and healthcare resources are enormous. We will improve our understanding of what parts of the brain are injured and the mechanisms contributing to on-going brain injury after hypoxia-ischemia.This is important to devise treatments and to provide a healthy start to life for neonates.
Extracellular Acidosis And PH-modulating Drugs As Novel Therapies For Neuroprotection In Hypoxia/ischemia In The Newborn
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,310.00
Summary
Approximately 4 out of every 1000 babies suffer severe perinatal asphyxia (a period of a shortage of oxygen) during the birth process which carries with it a high risk of brain damage or death. Those babies surviving with a severe disability cost Australia $500,000,000 per annum in lifelong costs. With currently available methods, the presence of asphyxia is difficult to detect and hence prevention is often not possible. At present, there are no effective medications to treat asphyxia-related br ....Approximately 4 out of every 1000 babies suffer severe perinatal asphyxia (a period of a shortage of oxygen) during the birth process which carries with it a high risk of brain damage or death. Those babies surviving with a severe disability cost Australia $500,000,000 per annum in lifelong costs. With currently available methods, the presence of asphyxia is difficult to detect and hence prevention is often not possible. At present, there are no effective medications to treat asphyxia-related brain damage in babies. This study brings together a multi-disciplinary team driven by the clinical need to develop suitable strategies for neuroprotection in the developing brain. We will investigate the neuroprotective properties of the clinically relevant factor of acidosis and determine how acidosis influences neuroprotectant drugs. In the future, it is envisaged that this study will lead to rationally-based clinical trials aimed at improving neurodevelopmental outcomes for babies who suffer asphyxia and for infants who are victims of near-drowning or head trauma.Read moreRead less