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Neural Control Of Human Respiratory Muscles In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,132.00
Summary
This research examines how human inspiratory muscles that ‘pump’ air into the lungs are controlled in health and disease. We will study the interaction between automatic and voluntary control of breathing, about which very little is known. The control of breathing in patients who breathe against an inspiratory load (eg. asthma) and mechanically ventilated patients will be a focus of this research. Outcomes include better understanding of the control of breathing and improved patient care.
Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea And Motor Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,798.00
Summary
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is a major health concern, affecting at least 4% of the population, associated with obesity, and aging. The symptoms of sleep apnoea are definitively associated with cardiovascular complications. I am focused on understanding how sleep apnoea patients are remodelled with the rewiring of connections between the brain and muscles. Using neurophysiological techniques, this project will study how the anatomy and functional connections of circuits change with sleep apnoea.
Most deaths from non-illicit drugs are caused by prescribed opioids and are nearly always due to respiratory arrest during sleep. However, no study has assessed the effect of opioids on vital respiratory drives during sleep. In addition, sleep apnea has been identified as a major risk factor for postoperative morbidity and mortality, while no study investigated how to identify those sleep apnea patients most at risk of opioids. Our proposed studies aim to address these gaps in knowledge.
A novel sensory neural circuit has been identified innervating the airways and lungs. The anatomical organisation of this circuit has been described to some extent in previous studies, however there is a significant gap in knowledge with respect to its functional importance. This project will develop methods to address this knowledge gap and in doing so the project will firstly describe how this circuit controls breathing under normal conditions and secondly how this becomes dysregulated during
Improving Outcomes In Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Through Individualised Treatment Of Physiological Abnormalities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,891.00
Summary
The most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea, continuous positive airway pressure, is only accepted by ~50% of patients. Individualised treatment options are urgently needed. In order to predict who will benefit from the common alternative therapies, my research will show how, upper airway surgery improves obstructive sleep apnoea at an individual level and develop tools that will help clinicians select patients for these therapies.
Translation Of Abdominal Functional Electrical Stimulation From A Research Tool To Clinical Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
People with a spinal cord injury to the neck are often unable to move their arms and legs, a condition known as tetraplegia. Tetraplegics are also unable to use their abdominal muscles, reducing breathing and bowel function. This project will use electrical pulses to make their abdominal muscles contract, improving breathing and bowel function. The results will be used to develop a program that can be used in all hospitals, reducing illness in tetraplegia and saving the health service money.
Regulation Of Pulmonary Responsiveness By Chronic Mechanical Strain And Its Role In Obstructive Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,321.00
Summary
The pressures required to breathe place a continuous but varying mechanical strain on airway passages and lung tissue. This mechanical strain may protect the airway from collapsing, however, this protection is deficient in lung diseases such as asthma. This project considers the possibility that abnormal mechanical strain occurring in lung disease predisposes the individual to debilitating and potentially life-threatening airflow obstruction.
Improving Lung Health Of Indigenous Children, Through Identifying Interventional Targets From Long Term Follow-up Studies And Preventive Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Long term consequences of respiratory disease among Indigenous children are a public health issue. Studies included in this research program will provide new data and broaden our understanding on clinical predictors that significantly impact on lung health in Indigenous children. The studies will also direct future interventions and management pathways. This research will also contribute to improved asthma management, prevent uptake of smoking contributing to an overall improvement in health.
Defining Regional Lung Mechanics To Improve Lung Protective Ventilation Strategies In Newborn Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,321.00
Summary
Over 3000 newly born infants require mechanical ventilation in Australia every year. The majority are very premature infants. About 30% of ventilated infants develop serious ventilator induced lung injury. Minimising such lung injury with improved techniques of ventilation which can protect the lung from injury will reduce the considerable short and long term health burden of this population.
Using Total Population Data To Describe The Characteristics Of Respiratory Infections In Order To Predict Future Epidemics And Recommend Vaccination Strategies For Western Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,892.00
Summary
Respiratory infections are a major reason for children to go to hospital. I am an epidemiologist and I will be using previously collected and linked laboratory and hospital data from Western Australian children to better understand how these infections flow through the population over different seasons. I will then be able to predict future epidemics of respiratory infections and how different vaccine programs might have an impact in reducing how many children are affected by these infections.