Fetomaternal Immunological Interactions In The Aetiology Of Allergic Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$195,990.00
Summary
There is accumulating evidence that immune abnormalities that lead to allergy are present at birth, and may be linked with maternal factors in pregnancy. This study examines how immune interactions between the fetus and the mother during pregnancy predispose to allergic immune responses in the infant. Allergic diseases result from inappropriate Type 2 responses to the environment whereas Type 1 response dominate immune responses of nonallergic people. Type 2 immune responses are first initiated ....There is accumulating evidence that immune abnormalities that lead to allergy are present at birth, and may be linked with maternal factors in pregnancy. This study examines how immune interactions between the fetus and the mother during pregnancy predispose to allergic immune responses in the infant. Allergic diseases result from inappropriate Type 2 responses to the environment whereas Type 1 response dominate immune responses of nonallergic people. Type 2 immune responses are first initiated before birth when they are actually normal for fetal survival. In normal infants maturation of Type 1 immune responses plays a central role in switching off the Type 2 responses of fetal life. Allergic disease appears to be due to abnormal persistence of this Type 2 response pattern beyond the newborn period. One of the most striking abnormalities in allergic individuals is immature Type 1 function at birth. With rising rates of allergy, there is an urgent need to identify how the balance of Type 1 and Type 2 responses is regulated during this early period. Maternal factors appear to play a critical role. There is already evidence that Type 1 responses are lower in babies of allergic mothers compared to babies of allergic fathers, suggesting direct effects of the mother in pregnancy. Although pregnancy normally favours Type 2 immunity, there appears to be normal variation in the balance of Type 1 and Type 2 responses in pregnancy. We plan to determine if variations in this balance affect the fetal capacity for Type 1 responses. We propose that minor degrees of tissue mismatch (present in all pregnancies) will activate low grade Type 1 responses and enhance maturation of fetal Type 1 responses. We will determine if allergic mothers (prone to stronger Type 2 responses) have less developed Type 1 responses in pregnancy and if this plays a direct role in abnormal Type 1 responses observed in their babies.Read moreRead less
Beyond Motherhood: A 27-year Follow-up Of The Mental Health Of Mid-age Women.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,755,651.00
Summary
There have been few studies of the causes and consequences of anxiety disorders yet they are disabiling, chronic and impair life prospects particularly for women. Environmental factors hold the greatest promise to understanding their natural history and for mitigating their effects. This proposal is for a 27 year follow up of women participating in the Mater University Study of Pregnancy to understand the development of anxiety disorders and comorbid depression and substance use.
Urban Green Space And The Health Of Aboriginal People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,541.00
Summary
This study will look at the effect of park land, gardens and other areas of publicly accessible natural environment on the health of Aboriginal children, specifically obesity and physical exercise, living in communities located in major cities and inner regional areas.
Transgenerational Impacts Of Paternal Stress On Offspring Mental Health: Epigenetic Mechanisms And Therapeutic Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$572,941.00
Summary
We are following up the extraordinary, almost ‘Lamarckian’, discovery that environmental influences on fathers can affect their offspring via ‘epigenetic’ changes to the sperm. We will explore mechanisms whereby increased levels of paternal stress can cause behavioural changes in the offspring, which are relevant to depression and anxiety disorders, and how positive environmental factors, including physical activity, may induce beneficial effects. This will have major public health implications.
Re-imagining Environments For Connection And Engagement: Testing Actions For Social Prescribing In Natural Spaces
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$499,750.00
Summary
This project will evaluate whether and how nature-based social prescribing (NBSP) can address mental well-being. We will experimentally test the effectiveness of NBSP in promoting connection among populations experiencing social isolation and loneliness with socially oriented opportunities in safe, inclusive and accessible, green and blue outdoor urban spaces. The project will build the evidence base for the value of NBSP investments in improving mental health.
The Effect Of Iron Supplementation In Pregnancy On Child Cognitive Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$91,562.00
Summary
During fetal life the brain grows very rapidly and animal studies have shown that inadequate iron nutrition of mothers during pregnancy can result in permanent structural and developmental problems in the offspring. Although this has not been examined in human infants, new studies suggest that the iron stores of the mother in pregnancy are an important determinant of the baby's iron stores during the first year of life. It may be that the critical period where iron nutrition influences later dev ....During fetal life the brain grows very rapidly and animal studies have shown that inadequate iron nutrition of mothers during pregnancy can result in permanent structural and developmental problems in the offspring. Although this has not been examined in human infants, new studies suggest that the iron stores of the mother in pregnancy are an important determinant of the baby's iron stores during the first year of life. It may be that the critical period where iron nutrition influences later development is in fetal life (during pregnancy). We have the opportunity to test whether iron nutrition in fetal life influences childhood development by assessing the cognitive abilities of children who were in our earlier study of iron supplementation in pregnancy. Our aim is to assess the children at 4 years to determine if iron nutrition in pregnancy predicts development. This may change the dietary advice we give pregnant women to ensure they give their babies the best start in life.Read moreRead less
The Effects Of Dietary And Lifestyle Interventions Among Pregnant Women Who Are Overweight Or Obese On Longer-term Maternal And Early Childhood Outcomes: An Individual Participant Data (IPD) Meta-analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,317.00
Summary
Obesity affects 50% of pregnant women, and is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. In the longer-term, maternal obesity predicts high infant birth weight and future child obesity. We will combine and analyse randomised controlled trial data available world-wide through an individual participant data meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of antenatal dietary intervention among women who are overweight or obese on longer-term maternal and child health.
Improving Management Of Mastitis In Breastfeeding Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$177,197.00
Summary
Mastitis is a painful breast infection experienced by 1 in 5 breastfeeding women. However, management of this common condition is often not evidence-based and women may receive inappropriate antibiotics and may not receive appropriate investigations. This project will be an intervention at four emergency departments aimed at improving clinicians' management of mastitis. The aim is to improve women's satisfaction with their experience of mastitis and reduce unnecessary cessation of breastfeeding.
Obesity During Pregnancy: How Can We Improve Health Outcomes For Women, Infants And Children?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,449.00
Summary
Obesity is a common issue facing Australian women and has a role to play in health in pregnancy, birth and later life for the woman and her children. Providing interventions for better health during pregnancy is likely to be an important factor in improving outcomes for a woman and her infant, both at the time of pregnancy and in later life.