The Ontogeny of Pain Behaviour: A Novel Neuroimmune Pathway. In Australia, 20% of the population report suffering from chronic pain. The cost of pain to Australian business per year is over $3 billion. Attempts to explain many chronic pain states, based on current knowledge, have failed. The central hypothesis of this project is that pain sensitivity is determined by programming of the fetal immune system during pregnancy. This research proposal will determine whether exposure to infection early ....The Ontogeny of Pain Behaviour: A Novel Neuroimmune Pathway. In Australia, 20% of the population report suffering from chronic pain. The cost of pain to Australian business per year is over $3 billion. Attempts to explain many chronic pain states, based on current knowledge, have failed. The central hypothesis of this project is that pain sensitivity is determined by programming of the fetal immune system during pregnancy. This research proposal will determine whether exposure to infection early in life determines sensitivity to pain in adult life. In doing so, this research offers a new theoretical explanation for the ontogeny of pain and may begin to account for the many forms of chronic pain that are currently not only unexplainable from current pain theory, but difficult to manage clinically.Read moreRead less
Psychosocial and cognitive outcomes of residential relocation and retirement: The TRAnsitions In Later Life (TRAILL) project. Individual and social issues surrounding older adults' residential relocation and the transition to retirement are increasingly important in the context of Australia's ageing population. A better understanding of the factors that influence psychological well-being and intergenerational relationships during these major life transitions will play an important role in infor ....Psychosocial and cognitive outcomes of residential relocation and retirement: The TRAnsitions In Later Life (TRAILL) project. Individual and social issues surrounding older adults' residential relocation and the transition to retirement are increasingly important in the context of Australia's ageing population. A better understanding of the factors that influence psychological well-being and intergenerational relationships during these major life transitions will play an important role in informing government policy. This project aims to provide national and community benefits through informing policy related to housing and labour force participation, and by informing programs aimed at volunteer recruitment, retention and maximising the quality of the volunteer experience.Read moreRead less