This study aims to elucidate central pathways which can be manipulated to drive the storage of excess energy away from fat and instead directing it into the production of bone mass. Having identified leptin-responsive NPY neurons as important in the control of energy partitioning, we will focus on manipulating these neurons in the hypothalamus using innovative technology to alter body composition. This research has the potential to result in novel treatments for obesity and osteoporosis.
PRECIS: PRecision Evidence For Childhood Obesity Prevention InterventionS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,280,254.00
Summary
This project will bring together global knowledge on community-based obesity prevention to identify the most effective and equitable approaches to create healthier communities. The project will support communities to create positive actions that are tailored to their own community characteristics and resources, to prevent childhood obesity now and into the future.
Bringing Fields Together: Identifying Individuals At Risk Of Eating Disorders In Weight Management Programs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,144.00
Summary
A major barrier in improving obesity and eating disorder care is the hotly debated issue of eating disorder risk following weight management. Using 'big data' methods and international collaborations, we will analyse individual-level data from weight management trials with eating disorder assessments, and deconstruct these complex interventions into their smallest 'active ingredients'. We will translate findings into recommendations so that treatment approaches can be tailored to individuals.
Autophagy Increases With Age And Obesity To Protect Against Cellular Damage And Age-related Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,687.00
Summary
Waste recycling is a normal process through which cells clear unwanted material to maintain good health. There are some conditions that are associated with impaired waste recycling in cells (such as dementia), which make this process relevant to lifelong health. We have developed a new test that will, for the first time, enable accurate measurement of the recycling process 'in action' in humans, and may identify people who have poor cellular health.
THE IMMUNOLOGICAL LEGACY OF OBESITY ON VIRAL PATHOGENESIS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$652,275.00
Summary
Obesity is a key risk factor for severe viral infections. Our preliminary data suggest that in mice this susceptibility is not reduced by weight loss. In this grant we will investigate a) the mechanisms driving the legacy effect of obesity on antiviral immunity b) whether or not we can reverse this legacy effect by treatment with the drug MCC950 and c) the antiviral response of overweight children and adults who have and haven't recently lost weight.
Does Chronic Stress Drive Obesity And Type 2 Diabetes?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,440,404.00
Summary
There is now good evidence that chronic stress, whether that be work stress or shift work can negatively impact on metabolic health and contribute to the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. This proposal will explore the molecular mechanisms by which stress contributes to the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. In particular we determine how stress affects the brain's ability to coordinate the utilisation of energy and nutrients.
Feeding Behaviour And Obesity Development: Identification Of Novel Intervention Points
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$923,668.00
Summary
Appetite and food intake is regulated by specific neuronal structures in the brain. The most important area is the hypothalamus from which many neuronal pathways originate to control specific aspects of feeding behaviour and energy usage in the brain and the rest of the body. To better understand the contribution individual neuronal populations make to drive excess food intake we propose a new approach to identify this, making new treatment options for eating disorders and obesity possible.