The Next Generation Of Biomaterials; In Vivo Assessment Of Lumbar Spinal Fusion Biodegradable Interbody Cages
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$85,932.00
Summary
Back pain represents one of the major health and economic problems facing the western world. Surgery is an inevitable outcome for many sufferers and involves the implantation of metallic rods screws, plates or cages. Biodegradable implants have theoretical advantages, but until now no material has existed that can sustain he rigours of implantation into a load bearing site. We have developed such a material which will lead to improvements in the treatment of many orthopaedic conditions.
Immediate Cooling And Emergency Decompression (ICED) For The Treatment Of Spinal Cord Injury: Pilot, Safety And Feasibility Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,008.00
Summary
Victims of Spinal Cord Injury are young, have severe paralysis, complex needs and high lifetime costs. Although urgent surgery greatly improves outcome, it is difficult to achieve because of logistical difficulties. To expand the time window for early surgery, it is proposed to immediately cool patients. This project will conduct the pilot studies necessary before commencing a clinical trial of immediate cooling and emergency decompression (ICED) in patients with cervical spinal cord injuries.
Therapeutic Development Of A Novel EphA4 Antagonist For Spinal Cord Injuries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,105.00
Summary
Spinal cord injuries impose a significant burden on patients and their carers. At present, there are no treatments for spinal cord injury that provide functional improvement. This research program will develop a novel therapeutic molecule, EphA4-Fc, which promotes axonal regeneration and delivers significant functional improvement. We will determine the most effective protocol for EphA4-Fc administration and the physiological and functional outcomes of these treatment regimes.
Unravelling The Riddle Of Spondylolysis: A Novel Biomechanical Approach Incorporating Innovative Strain Field Mapping, Acute Fracture Path Mapping And In Vivo Weightbearing Spinal Kinematics Derived From Open Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$334,673.00
Summary
Low back pain represents a significant social and economic burden in Australia and can be debilitating for individuals. This project aims to understand the biomechanical origins and consequences of spondylolysis, a common spinal stress fracture affecting both children and adults. The results of these studies will contribute to improved prevention, detection and treatment of this spinal condition, and reduce the incidence of more serious spinal problems which can occur subsequent to spondylolysis ....Low back pain represents a significant social and economic burden in Australia and can be debilitating for individuals. This project aims to understand the biomechanical origins and consequences of spondylolysis, a common spinal stress fracture affecting both children and adults. The results of these studies will contribute to improved prevention, detection and treatment of this spinal condition, and reduce the incidence of more serious spinal problems which can occur subsequent to spondylolysis.Read moreRead less
INVESTIGATIONS ON THE REGULATION OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC CELL MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$331,320.00
Summary
Degeneration of the intervertebral disc is a painful disabling condition with major socioeconomic consequences. Medical problems associated with disc degeneration and back-pain, of sufficient severity to warrant consultation with a physician, are experienced by 90% of the population some time during their lives. In man, back pain increases in incidence in the third and fourth decades of life, peaks in the fifties and declines thereafter. Changes in population demographics indicate this problem w ....Degeneration of the intervertebral disc is a painful disabling condition with major socioeconomic consequences. Medical problems associated with disc degeneration and back-pain, of sufficient severity to warrant consultation with a physician, are experienced by 90% of the population some time during their lives. In man, back pain increases in incidence in the third and fourth decades of life, peaks in the fifties and declines thereafter. Changes in population demographics indicate this problem will increase in severity over the next few decades. American Bureau of Census data indicate that between 1990 to 2010 the number of people >45 years will increase from 82 to 124 million, the number of elderly in emerging countries will also increase between 200 to 400% in the next 30 years. In the United States, back-pain is the second most common reason that people visit a physician and medical conditions related to back-pain account for more hospitalisations than any other musculoskeletal disorder. Despite its high incidence, associated problems of incapacity and economic implications, costed at $100 million per annum in Australia in 1992, and US$100 billion globally in 1999-2000 (Dorland Data Networks, PA, USA) the causes of low back-pain are still poorly understood. Disc disease is responsible for 23-40% of all cases of low back-pain. The management of discogenic low back-pain is currently empirical, directed either toward life-style changes to minimise symptomatology or to surgical resection or spinal arthrodesis to restrict articulation. Based on our recent findings and those of colleagues over the last 16 years, it is our strong conviction that it should be possible with a better understanding of disease mechanisms and with the use of modern technologies to inhibit, reverse or ideally prevent disc degeneration. Without such basic research there will be no scientific foundation upon which prospective therapies may be based.Read moreRead less
Investigations Of Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow In Extracanalicular Syringomyelia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,441.00
Summary
Cysts in the spinal cord (syringomyelia) develop in children and young adults with congenital spinal cord abnormalities such as spina bifida, and in people of all ages after spinal cord injury or meningitis. Syringomyelia causes pain and paralysis that usually does not improve even with treatment. The current lack of knowledge about the mechanism of spinal cord cyst formation and enlargement is preventing the development of effective therapy. We have previously shown that some types of spinal co ....Cysts in the spinal cord (syringomyelia) develop in children and young adults with congenital spinal cord abnormalities such as spina bifida, and in people of all ages after spinal cord injury or meningitis. Syringomyelia causes pain and paralysis that usually does not improve even with treatment. The current lack of knowledge about the mechanism of spinal cord cyst formation and enlargement is preventing the development of effective therapy. We have previously shown that some types of spinal cord cysts enlarge by the normal fluid surrounding the spinal cord being pumped around small arteries into the centre of the spinal cord. The mechanism of enlargement of post-traumatic spinal cord cysts remains unknown, and this debilitating type of syringomyelia remains difficult to treat. Our hypothesis is that post-traumatic spinal cord cysts also enlarge by fluid being pumped into them around small arteries. A further hypothesis is that reductions of arterial pulsations and of the pressure in the fluid surrounding the spinal cord will prevent or inhibit cyst enlargement. These hypotheses will be tested by examining fluid flow in models of post-traumatic syringomyelia in rats and sheep. We have established a model of post-traumatic syringomyelia in rats and the first phase of the project will be to refine and characterize this model and to reproduce it in sheep. The second phase will be to determine whether these cysts enlarge by a flow of fluid around small arteries that is driven by arterial pulsations, as they do in other types of syringomyelia. The final phase will be to determine whether reducing the pressure in the fluid around the spinal cord prevents cyst enlargement. Confirmation that these techniques prevent cyst enlargement would open up new possibilities for the treatment of human syringomyelia.Read moreRead less
Connectivity Of Regenerating Axons Following Spinal Cord Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,428.00
Summary
Our objective is to thoroughly investigate the connections made by regenerating nerve fibres in mice which are treated with specific compounds to inhibit scarring as well as with active exercise following spinal cord injury. This will provide evidence of the potential of these compounds as a therapeutic intervention. Understanding how the nervous system rewires following exercise intervention will provide insights as to how new connections can be shaped to ensure optimal recovery of function.
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.