A Motion Correction Technique For Accurate PET/CT Brain Imaging In Paediatric And Dementia Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,450.00
Summary
PET-CT imaging is a vital tool in the diagnosis and management of patients with brain disorders including dementia, epilepsy and cancer. However images are often distorted by patient motion, particularly in demented and paediatric patients. The CI has recently developed a motion tracking and correction method to derive images nearly free of motion effects. This aim of this project is to evaluate its impact on image quality in a variety of patients referred for PET- CT brain investigations.
Improving The Assessment Of Brain Tumour Treatment Outcome Using 18F-FDOPA PET-MRI Fusion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$660,666.00
Summary
The mortality rate within the first year of diagnosis for high-grade brain tumours is approximately 80%. A major factor contributing to poor outcome measures is the limitation of current neuroimaging techniques. In a novel approach we propose to combine the information available from MRI and PET images to better define the extent of the tumour and provide markers of early treatment response. This improved diagnostic information should improve survival rates.
The Clinical Impact Of Event-based Motion Correction In Paediatric PET-CT Brain Imaging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,104.00
Summary
Movement of the head during PET-CT brain imaging can prevent accurate diagnosis by blurring and distorting the image. The problem is perhaps most acute in paediatric patients, many of whom must be anaesthetized or sedated to avoid motion. This work will establish whether a recently developed motion correction method can improve the clinical utility of PET-CT brain images in young patients, and reduce the need for sedation and anaesthesia during the PET scan.
The Effect Of Statin And Colchicine On Pericoronary Adipose Tissue Inflammation And Coronary Artery Plaque Progression: Insights From Cardiac Computed Tomography Using Pericoronary Adipose Tissue Attenuation And Radiomics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$125,396.00
Summary
Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in Australia. Inflammation is a key driver of harmful build-up of cholesterol plaques in arteries. Currently it is unclear how to detect patients with high level of inflammation. We examine a new approach to detect coronary inflammation using CT coronary angiography (CTCA). We investigate how to utilise CTCA to guide targeted therapy with statin and colchicine in patients with residual inflammation to reduce risk of future heart attack.
Breast Arterial Calcification And Cardiovascular Disease – Exploring Mechanisms And Outcomes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Heart disease remains the major of cause of death in women in the Western world and current methods of screening women for heart disease are out-dated and inaccurate. Calcification in the breast arteries that can be diagnosed on screening mammograms has been associated with future heart disease. This may represent a unique way to screen and treat patients for heart disease without the need for additional testing and our research program aims to investigate this.
Molecular Imaging To Advance Treatment Of Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,419.00
Summary
Molecular imaging using a scan technique called positron emission tomography, enables detection and measurement of specific pathological features of disease such as the amyloid plaques of Alzheimer’s disease. This project will develop this technology for other aspects of brain disorders including dementias, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury and schizophrenia and use it to assist development of therapies and improve clinical diagnosis nation wide.