Advances In The Understanding Of Autoimmune Encephalitides And Associated Movement Disorders In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$68,832.00
Summary
Encephalitis in childhood can be devastating with long lasting effects and mortality. This research focuses on children who suffer from encephalitis due to an autoimmune process. In such cases many children present with involuntary abnormal body movements. This project will explore whether differences in the nature of these movements or in electroencephalography or brain imaging with MRI, can help early differentiation of different types of autoimmune encephalitis.
Development Of Novel Biomarkers For Closed Loop Deep Brain Stimulation In The Management Of Parkinson’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is established therapy in advanced Parkinson’s disease, when medications are less efficient. We aim to identify biomarkers that correlate with symptom state, allowing tailoring of DBS to individual patient’s needs. This will potentially improve symptom control, device efficiency and quality of life, increasing the pool of patients suitable for DBS. Novel DBS systems will build technical expertise and expand Australia’s role in the medical device industry.
Establishing The Clinical Spectrum And Pathogenicity Of Antibodies Against Dopamine Receptors In Autoimmune Movement And Psychiatric Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$172,126.00
Summary
Dopamine plays a pivotal role in neurotransmission and the control of movement and behaviour. This project aims to define the clinical spectrum and pathogenicity of anti-dopamine receptor antibody mediated diseases. The identification of these antibodies in atypical presentations of common movement disorders would have widespread diagnostic and therapeutic implications, and suggests that selected patients might be amenable to targeted immunomodulatory therapy, thus improving their outcome.
Infant Motor Development Between 0-4 Months: A New Look At The Effect Of The ‘back To Sleep’ Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,182.00
Summary
An unexpected consequence of the Back to Sleep program is an increased incidence of deformational plagiocephaly (DP), or “flat head syndrome”, and concern about delayed development. It is not clear whether the current recommendation to provide ‘tummy-time’ play for infants when awake is the best way to prevent DP. Development of typical infants 0-4 months and infants with DP will be investigated and parents surveyed as a basis for development and trialling of a new DP prevention initiative.
Does Rehabilitation Increase The Functional Independence Of People With Friedreich Ataxia?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$81,811.00
Summary
Friedreich Ataxia (FRDA) is a disease which reduces the ability to walk. People decline rapidly and are usually dependent on a wheel-chair by 20-30 years of age. This research will examine the impact of changes in leg function, including strength and balance, on the capacity to walk. This research will determine if rehabilitation can improve walking ability and reduce the decline in FRDA. The results of this research will ensure people with FRDA are provided with the most appropriate care.
Social Functioning And Autism Spectrum Disorder In Children With Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Multimodal Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,204.00
Summary
Social difficulties and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are frequently found in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a common genetic condition. The current study will examine (1) prevalence and characteristics of ASD and social impairment in children with NF1, (2) cognitive factors contributing to ASD symptoms and (3) associated compromise to brain structure. Findings are expected to guide development of treatments to improve social functioning in children with NF1.
High Speed Video To Assess Eye Movements In Vestibular Dysfunction - A Validation Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,351.00
Summary
Dizziness affects a third of the population during their lives. Abnormal eye movements are often the best guide as to what has gone wrong in the dizzy person. The problem is that these eye movements can be difficult to see, and hence measure, as a way of diagnosing and then treating the dizziness. Video-oculography holds great promise for helping doctors identify the cause, and in many cases offer simple curative treatment, for dizziness.
Clinical Genetics Studies Of Speech And Language Disorders In Large Families.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$160,368.00
Summary
Childhood speech and language disorders are common and may have negative long term outcomes. We have a limited understanding of what causes these disorders, which impacts our ability to manage and treat those affected. This project will utilise large families to investigate causes and clinical features of speech and language disorders. This is an exciting and relatively under-research area, and has the potential to lead to improved outcomes for children affected with speech and language disorder ....Childhood speech and language disorders are common and may have negative long term outcomes. We have a limited understanding of what causes these disorders, which impacts our ability to manage and treat those affected. This project will utilise large families to investigate causes and clinical features of speech and language disorders. This is an exciting and relatively under-research area, and has the potential to lead to improved outcomes for children affected with speech and language disorder.Read moreRead less
The Incidence And Genetics Of The Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$175,224.00
Summary
Severe epilepsies with frequent seizures and cognitive impairments in the first 18 months of life are known as ‘infantile epileptic encephalopathies’ (IEE). The cause of IEE is unknown in many patients, although presumed genetic. This study of patients with IEE in Victoria aims to describe the incidence of IEE, and understand the genetic causes of IEE. Understanding the causes of IEE will be the first step towards development of urgently-needed novel therapies for these devastating conditions.
Neurobiology Of Relaxin-3/RXFP3 Systems: Anatomical And Functional Studies In Transgenic Mice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$94,242.00
Summary
Mental illness is an economic and health burden worldwide, with huge costs in medical spending, lost productivity, poor quality of life for sufferers and mortality. Relaxin-3 is a peptide that acts widely within neural circuits to modulate brain activity that is altered in conditions such as anxiety and mood/sleep disorders. Our research assessing the effect of genetic removal of relaxin-3 signaling on behaviour will add to our knowledge of brain function and improve mental health outcomes.