Local Sleep In The Awake Brain: An Underlying Cause Of Neurobehavioural Deficits In Sleep Apnea?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,330.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder which significantly impacts daytime functioning leading to excessive sleepiness, and problems with attention and thinking. Currently, the causes for cognitive impairment in OSA (including attentional lapses and performance deficits) are poorly understood. In the awake state, groups of neurons can briefly go “offline” as they do in sleep. These periods of “local sleep” may explain impaired task performance in OSA.
The Australian Parkinson's Project - Uncovering Genetic Risk Factors For Sporadic PD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$768,546.00
Summary
Parkinson s disease (PD) is a progressively disabling movement disorder afflicting many elderly Australians. It is caused by the degeneration of specific nerve cells in the brain that produce certain chemicals and patients suffer from an inability to move fluently (or ultimately at all). At present we do not know what triggers this neurodegeneration, but it is believed that complex interactions between inherited (genetic) and environmental factors contribute significantly to the phenomenon. This ....Parkinson s disease (PD) is a progressively disabling movement disorder afflicting many elderly Australians. It is caused by the degeneration of specific nerve cells in the brain that produce certain chemicals and patients suffer from an inability to move fluently (or ultimately at all). At present we do not know what triggers this neurodegeneration, but it is believed that complex interactions between inherited (genetic) and environmental factors contribute significantly to the phenomenon. This project aims to learn more about these complex interactions and their association with PD. People with PD and unaffected individuals will be recruited from throughout Australia and we will look for specific combinations of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that either increase or decrease an individual's risk for PD. This research will identify the most common dominant genetic and environmental influences for PD in Australia, enabling scientists to focus on the most relevant biological pathways to target therapeutically.Read moreRead less
Improving Pain And Movement Outcomes In Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
People fear getting painful knee osteoarthritis (OA) more than any other disease – it is seen as progressive and incurable. It often stops people from moving and staying healthy, resulting in an enormous burden on sufferers and the health care system. This program of research aims to understand what brain & nervous system processes might underlie these pain and movement problems and whether new brain-targeting treatment helps. This will allow us to better match treatment to what patients need.
Transdermal Testosterone Therapy: A Potential Treatment For Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)-associated Sexual Dysfunction In Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$241,351.00
Summary
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is frequently reported with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) therapy and venlafaxine, these being the most common antidepressants used by Australian women. We have shown that testosterone therapy significantly improves sexual function in women with FSD. However SSRI-users have been excluded from these past studies. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of transdermal testosterone therapy for treatment of sexual dysfunction associated with SS ....Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is frequently reported with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) therapy and venlafaxine, these being the most common antidepressants used by Australian women. We have shown that testosterone therapy significantly improves sexual function in women with FSD. However SSRI-users have been excluded from these past studies. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of transdermal testosterone therapy for treatment of sexual dysfunction associated with SSRI therapy.Read moreRead less
Matching Oars to Rowers. This project combines expert oar design, manufacture and advanced biomechanical analysis to produce new oar designs that match rowers? power generation characteristics with boat propulsion requirements. The outcome will be optimally configured oar designs that combine properties which maximise rowers? performance. The performance of the oar-rower combination will be race condition assessed, on-water, in a state-of-the-art measurement boat and an iterative process used to ....Matching Oars to Rowers. This project combines expert oar design, manufacture and advanced biomechanical analysis to produce new oar designs that match rowers? power generation characteristics with boat propulsion requirements. The outcome will be optimally configured oar designs that combine properties which maximise rowers? performance. The performance of the oar-rower combination will be race condition assessed, on-water, in a state-of-the-art measurement boat and an iterative process used to bring the oars to their final configurations. A range of specifications will result from matching the oar to different body types with emphasis on appropriate designs for women rowers.Read moreRead less
Bringing the boat into the lab: Rowing simulation. Rowing simulators are used for rowing training, rowing assessment and exercise. Their effectiveness for the first two depends on their exercise stimulus specificity to on-water rowing. Rowing simulators are also used in the fitness industry for exercise and in all applications the potential for injury should be minimised. This research will produce a "specification" of on-water rowing by characterising the magnitude and timing of the forces and ....Bringing the boat into the lab: Rowing simulation. Rowing simulators are used for rowing training, rowing assessment and exercise. Their effectiveness for the first two depends on their exercise stimulus specificity to on-water rowing. Rowing simulators are also used in the fitness industry for exercise and in all applications the potential for injury should be minimised. This research will produce a "specification" of on-water rowing by characterising the magnitude and timing of the forces and moments experienced on-water. Rowing simulator agreement with this specification will be tested, modifications suggested for their improvement, and one modified and retested. Simulator rowing will be computer-modelled and the potential for injury assessed.Read moreRead less
Passive mechanical properties of human muscles. Australia has a strong record in the discipline of biomechanics. The proposed studies will help maintain Australia's standing in the discipline. They will provide fundamental new data on the properties of human muscles and basic insights into muscle growth and adaptation. The data will be used to develop more refined biomechanical models than is currently possible. The studies will also provide training in world-leading research methods for two PhD ....Passive mechanical properties of human muscles. Australia has a strong record in the discipline of biomechanics. The proposed studies will help maintain Australia's standing in the discipline. They will provide fundamental new data on the properties of human muscles and basic insights into muscle growth and adaptation. The data will be used to develop more refined biomechanical models than is currently possible. The studies will also provide training in world-leading research methods for two PhD students and a research associate.Read moreRead less
Tracking the musculoskeletal health and performance of talented adolescent female athletes. The vision is to gain an innovative understanding of risk factors for the early detection or prevention of injury, and to identify factors that promote participation longevity in young athletes. The biomechanics explored in this study will provide a basis for larger studies in future years. Large economic and social benefits can be gained from increased knowledge of injury prevention early in life. Lowere ....Tracking the musculoskeletal health and performance of talented adolescent female athletes. The vision is to gain an innovative understanding of risk factors for the early detection or prevention of injury, and to identify factors that promote participation longevity in young athletes. The biomechanics explored in this study will provide a basis for larger studies in future years. Large economic and social benefits can be gained from increased knowledge of injury prevention early in life. Lowered injury costs provide immediate cost benefits to the nation. Ultimately, in a nation familiar with the high costs of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases, the health sector of Australia will be the greatest benefactor of this project.Read moreRead less
Improving determinants of Australian sports talent identification and development: a multi-disciplinary approach. Sport is important to many Australians. Our sport successes enhance our national identity, generate community pride and attract mega sport events. Currently our sport talent identification and development (TID) systems have been surpassed by our international rivals who borrowed from and improved our knowledge. This project will help regain Australia's international advantage and aga ....Improving determinants of Australian sports talent identification and development: a multi-disciplinary approach. Sport is important to many Australians. Our sport successes enhance our national identity, generate community pride and attract mega sport events. Currently our sport talent identification and development (TID) systems have been surpassed by our international rivals who borrowed from and improved our knowledge. This project will help regain Australia's international advantage and again make Australian TID the international benchmark. Results will highlight the role of TID practices in improving recreational participation and maximising, attracting, developing and retaining sport talent. This will result in improved use of sports limited TID funding by providing greater understanding of factors that influence elite selection and sport development.Read moreRead less
Anticipation and decision making skill: from testing to training. This project examines how experts anticipate and make decisions in dynamic, time constrained environments. The project will identify factors that contribute to the development of expertise and develop simulation-based training programs to facilitate the more rapid acquisition of the skills underpinning anticipation and decision making.