DOES TREATMENT REVERSE THE NEUROCOGNITIVE AND CARDIOVASCULAR SEQUELAE OF SLEEP DISORDERED BREATHING IN CHILDREN?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$519,826.00
Summary
Studies in children have shown that disruption to normal sleep patterns resulting from sleep disordered breathing (SDB) has severe consequences for both the cardiovascular system and neurocognition. To date there have been no studies in children to investigate whether treatment of SDB with adenotonsillectomy, which has been shown to reduce sleep fragmentation and neurocognition, also reduces blood pressure.
Ascending Control Of Behavioural State And Cognition - Role Of Nucleus Incertus And Relaxin-3 Transmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,356.00
Summary
Mental illness and dementia are significant social and economic burdens worldwide and knowledge of their underlying causes and more effective therapies are required. Our research aims to use pre-clinical models to characterize a little studied neuronal network implicated in control of brain theta rhythm activity, which could lead to improved treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases such as anxiety and depression, and degenerative cognitive decline.
Differentiation Of Respiratory Behaviour In The Mammalian Fetus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,839.00
Summary
Mammalian fetuses are highly active from early in gestation, manifesting patterns of activity that are gradually transformed throughout fetal life, ultimately producing a repertoire of behaviours essential for postnatal survival. These behaviours are of fundamental importance to animals, and none more so than breathing which must perform effectively from the moment of birth. We plan to examine neural control mechanisms that transform a primitive pattern of breathing in the early gestation fetus ....Mammalian fetuses are highly active from early in gestation, manifesting patterns of activity that are gradually transformed throughout fetal life, ultimately producing a repertoire of behaviours essential for postnatal survival. These behaviours are of fundamental importance to animals, and none more so than breathing which must perform effectively from the moment of birth. We plan to examine neural control mechanisms that transform a primitive pattern of breathing in the early gestation fetus into the functional form that effectively ventilates the lungs after birth. In addition to examining the prenatal development of breathing, our program will focus on the developmental fate of a transient behaviour restricted to early development. This early behaviour plays a fundamental role in the development of the motor system before being extinguished under the influence of supraspinal inputs. This program will therefore provide a basis for understanding the mechanisms by which the brain establishes control of the motor circuits of the spinal cord during development. Further, the program is designed to provide a basis for understanding the respiratory problems so common in the preterm human infant.Read moreRead less
The Impact Of Circadian Disturbances On Sleep Quality, Cognition And Psychiatric Symptoms In Neurodegenerative Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,340.00
Summary
There is an increasing awareness that neurodegenerative diseases are associated with disturbances in sleep. Our group have recognised that patterns of sleep disturbance in these patients are also related to problems with memory and mood. The proposed study will be the first of its kind to explore whether disruptions in the circadian system represent a common mechanism underlying these comorbid disease features. Understanding this pathology will hopefully lead to the development of new therapies.
The Impact Of Electronic Medication Administration Records (e-MAR) On Medication Administration Safety And Nurses' Work
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$735,675.00
Summary
The demands on health systems, both nationally and internationally, are growing, exacerbated by an ageing population and health workforce shortages. The incorporation of information technology into new health care delivery models promises both improvements in the safety and efficiency of care delivery. Medication errors are one of the most significant safety issues for health care systems. Medication management occupies a significant amount of nurses' time, and is also fraught with error potenti ....The demands on health systems, both nationally and internationally, are growing, exacerbated by an ageing population and health workforce shortages. The incorporation of information technology into new health care delivery models promises both improvements in the safety and efficiency of care delivery. Medication errors are one of the most significant safety issues for health care systems. Medication management occupies a significant amount of nurses' time, and is also fraught with error potential. One-third of all medication errors that cause patient harm arise from medication administration errors (MAEs). Electronic medication administration records (e-MARs) provide the potential to make the administration of medications safer for patients by reducing error rates, and also by allowing nurses to more efficiently manage medication tasks. However there is very limited research from Australia or overseas which has examined whether they computerised system work and in fact reduce error rates or save nurses time. In this project we will conduct prospective, controlled observational studies to determine the effectiveness of an electronic medication administration record (e-MAR) to reduce MAEs and the amount of time nurses spend in the medication administration process. The project will apply innovative data collection tools using PDA software purpose-built for these studies which have undergone extensive pilot testing in clinical settings. The results will have important implications for hospitals across Australia and internationally as they consider the implementation of e-MARs. This research will provide the first comprehensive data of medication administration errors in Australia against which future preventative error strategies can be evaluated. The results will provide the evidence needed to develop recommendations about how to reduce MAEs and improve the design of e-MARs.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Code Game Alarm Compared With A Standard Alarm For Treating Nocturnal Enuresis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,740.00
Summary
Bedwetting affects 10% of school-aged children. It has psychosocial and cognitive effects on sufferers which is reversible with appropriate treatment. First line treatment for bedwetting is alarm therapy. 1-3 fail alarm treatment becaues of not waking to alarm noise. A novel alarm which enhances wakening has been developed and predicts to be 80-95% effective. This study compares the novel alarm to a standard alarm for treating bedwetting.This simple devise can be used in the home setting.