This study is investigating an autoimmune disease called lymphocytic hypophysitis, involving the master gland in the body, the pituitary. It often affects pregnant women and is under diagnosed. The aim of our study is to determine the cause of this disease and its unexplained link with pregnancy. We are also working on a new diagnostic test which will enable doctors to confirm the diagnosis by serological means. At present, invasive pituitary biopsy is needed. Whilst developing this new test, we ....This study is investigating an autoimmune disease called lymphocytic hypophysitis, involving the master gland in the body, the pituitary. It often affects pregnant women and is under diagnosed. The aim of our study is to determine the cause of this disease and its unexplained link with pregnancy. We are also working on a new diagnostic test which will enable doctors to confirm the diagnosis by serological means. At present, invasive pituitary biopsy is needed. Whilst developing this new test, we have identified three proteins and their genes. This information may have major implications for the study of pituitary gland function.Read moreRead less
The Pathogenesis Of Infections Caused By Clostridium Sordellii.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,232.00
Summary
The bacterium Clostridium sordellii causes necrosis and multiorgan failure with a very high mortality rate of 70% in infections of drug users, transplant and post-abortion patients, and 100% for post-partum patients. Little is known about how C. sordellii causes such devastating disease; treatment of these infections is currently ineffective. This project will make a major contribution to our understanding of how disease is caused and may lead to improved prevention and treatment stratetegies.
Mental Health Across Generations: Pre-and Post Conception Predicators Of Early Life Risks
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$666,231.00
Summary
In 2003, mental illnesses were among the ten leading causes of disease burden in Australia, accounting for 13% of the total burden of disease, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Mental health problems and mental illness are among the greatest causes of disability, diminished quality of life, and reduced productivity. People affected by mental health problems often have high levels of morbidity and mortality, experiencing poorer general health and higher rates of death f ....In 2003, mental illnesses were among the ten leading causes of disease burden in Australia, accounting for 13% of the total burden of disease, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Mental health problems and mental illness are among the greatest causes of disability, diminished quality of life, and reduced productivity. People affected by mental health problems often have high levels of morbidity and mortality, experiencing poorer general health and higher rates of death from a range of causes, including suicide. These conditions are significant in terms of prevalence and disease burden, and have far-reaching impacts for families, carers and others in the community. Mental health problems commonly cluster in families. However, few studies have previously been able to investigate the range of ways in which mental disorders may pass from one generation to another. Further, evidence suggests that influences that arise prior to conception may have major effects on early life risks such as development in utero, birth outcomes and early maternal infant bonding. Mental Health across Generations: Pre- and post-conception predictors of early life risks is a unique study that will examine antenatal maternal mental health and risk behaviours during pregnancy. The study will also examine the links between prior maternal mental health and later birth outcomes, and post natal maternal infant bonding. The risk processes to be tested will include genetic, epigenetic (changes in gene expression), physiological and psycho-social parameters.Read moreRead less
Excitatory Synaptic Circuitry And Plasticity In The Amygdala.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,750.00
Summary
The amygdala is a key structure in the neuronal circuitry that underlies the analysis of emotional information. In particular this structure plays a major role in the processing of fear-related information. Disorders of the processing and storage of such information are thought to be the major underlying cause of mental disorders such as panic attacks, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder. Understanding the physiology of this structure and the ways in which this can change in response to v ....The amygdala is a key structure in the neuronal circuitry that underlies the analysis of emotional information. In particular this structure plays a major role in the processing of fear-related information. Disorders of the processing and storage of such information are thought to be the major underlying cause of mental disorders such as panic attacks, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder. Understanding the physiology of this structure and the ways in which this can change in response to various stimuli is necessary for the development of rational therapies that target the amygdala.Read moreRead less
Modulation And Trafficking Of SK Channels In The Lateral Amygdala
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$260,980.00
Summary
The amygdala is a brain structure that underlies emotional processing. Malfunctions in emotional processing are thought to be the cause of anxiety disorders. Understanding amygdala physiology is thus vital for developing therapies to treat these disorders. We have recently found a novel role for an ion channel in controlling amygdala excitability. In this grant we will investigate how this ion channel is modulated, which will elucidate a novel way in which activity in the amygdala is regulated.
Rock Lobster Post Harvest Subprogram: Quantification Of Shell Hardness In Southern Rock Lobster
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$86,403.70
Summary
A new, simple and quick solution to the ambiguity of current measures of shell wear is to quantify shell hardness with a durometer, which is a small, hand-held device originally designed to measure the flexibility of plastic sheeting (Hicks and Johnson, 1999). This system of standardisation has recently been introduced in Alaskan crab fisheries. Before these devices can be used for Australian rock lobster stock-assessment, a series of short experiments are needed to calibrate hardness reading ....A new, simple and quick solution to the ambiguity of current measures of shell wear is to quantify shell hardness with a durometer, which is a small, hand-held device originally designed to measure the flexibility of plastic sheeting (Hicks and Johnson, 1999). This system of standardisation has recently been introduced in Alaskan crab fisheries. Before these devices can be used for Australian rock lobster stock-assessment, a series of short experiments are needed to calibrate hardness reading to the moult cycle. These experiments will allow future research sampling to record more useful measures of moult stage and thus provide more effective stock assessment.
This calibration will have immediate application in Tasmanian research for assessing the effect of September and November harvests on mortality of discarded lobsters. Processors in both South Australia and Tasmania anticipate that this project will provide a valuable tool for industry to use in setting acceptable levels of shell hardness for the landing of export-grade lobsters. That is, fishers will be able to establish a quantitative shell hardness grade that a processor will accept prior to landing the catch. This eliminates the current problem of the landing of lobsters that are ambiguously classed as “hard” by a fisher but “soft” by a processor – with resultant negative impacts on economic yield and markets.
Hicks, D. and Johnson, B.A., 1999. A device to measure shell hardness of Dungeness crabs and trial application in the Kodiak Island, Alaska, commercial fishery. Nor. Amer. J. Fish. Man. 19: 581-590.
Objectives: 1. To calibrate the rate of change in shell hardness before and after the moult of southern rock lobsters relative to lobster size, sex, region and temperature. 2. To identify the region of the exoskeleton that is most suited for measuring hardness. 3. To develop a prototype gauge for industry use that can be used to measure shell hardness of lobster with precision in industry conditions. Read moreRead less
Prof Fitzgerald a psychiatrist investigating the use of a range of non-drug biological treatments for patients with severe and treatment resistant mood (and related) disorders.
Postpartum Depression: Action Towards Causes And Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,699.00
Summary
We will recruit women into a large international study to identify genetic variants that increase risk of perinatal depression using a mobile app. Women who screen positive will be asked to provide a spit sample for DNA.