Epilepsy is a common disease in the Australian population affecting 3 percent of individuals. It incurs lifelong medical, social and educational costs, and in some cases can be fatal. It is a large burden on public healthcare in Australia. Focal epilepsies are the most common type of seizure that arise from specific parts of the brain. This study has two aims and a future strategy relevant to gene discovery and clinical testing for focal epilepsy.
Unravelling The Genetics Of The Common Epilepsies Using Discordant Monozygotic Twins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$673,778.00
Summary
Epilepsy is a common disease in the Australian population affecting 3% of individuals that has a significant genetic contribution. To improve patient care we will study a unique set of identical twins discordant for different types of common genetic epilepsies. Identification of novel genes involved in common epilepsies will provide information relevant to prognosis, recurrence risks and treatment options for patients and their families. It will enhance long established Australian clinical and r ....Epilepsy is a common disease in the Australian population affecting 3% of individuals that has a significant genetic contribution. To improve patient care we will study a unique set of identical twins discordant for different types of common genetic epilepsies. Identification of novel genes involved in common epilepsies will provide information relevant to prognosis, recurrence risks and treatment options for patients and their families. It will enhance long established Australian clinical and research expertise in epilepsy.Read moreRead less
Neural Trajectories Towards Vulnerability Versus Resilience: A Longitudinal Twin Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,258,288.00
Summary
Resilience not only defines the absence of mental disorder; it defines the ability to positively adapt in the face of adversity. Due to this conceptual ambiguity, little is known of its underlying neurobiology as compared to symptoms like depression and anxiety. This knowledge would aid the development of effective interventions following trauma exposure. We aim to define the first neural profile of resilience in 270 adults, using the twin method to decide novel gene-environment influences.
Determining How Genetic And Environmental Factors Influence The Developing Oral Microbiota And Drive Disease In Early Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$397,064.00
Summary
Children’s oral health is in a dire state, with dental decay being the most common chronic disease. We will determine how an individuals’ environment and their genetic makeup drive variation in the composition of the oral microbiota to produce childhood decay, by genetically analysing dental plaque from an Australian twin cohort. Our study will be used to identify high decay risk individuals and direct treatment approaches by discovering anti-decay agents among the oral microbiota.
Expanding The Power Of Genetic Analysis Of Complex Traits In Multiply Phenotyped Twin Sibships
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$541,556.00
Summary
Our aim is to identify genes influencing common diseases including melanoma, asthma and cardiovascular disease. We measure adolescent twins for moliness, skin, hair and eye colour and a variety of blood traits. We have already found new genes for mole count, eye colour, skin damage, and several different blood cell types. For each of these disease traits there are many more genes to be found and these will inform new treatments. We plan to genotype 600 new families (2000 individuals) to help ach ....Our aim is to identify genes influencing common diseases including melanoma, asthma and cardiovascular disease. We measure adolescent twins for moliness, skin, hair and eye colour and a variety of blood traits. We have already found new genes for mole count, eye colour, skin damage, and several different blood cell types. For each of these disease traits there are many more genes to be found and these will inform new treatments. We plan to genotype 600 new families (2000 individuals) to help achieve this.Read moreRead less
Genetic And Environmental Determinants Of Brain Networks In Ageing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Is brain ageing genetically or environmentally determined, or an interaction of both? We will explore the influence of genes and the environment on brain connectivity during ageing by studying how the brain network relates to cognitive functions.
Neurodevelopment During Adolescence: A Longitudinal Imaging Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,706,589.00
Summary
Adolescence is a risk period for the emergence of psychiatric disorders. It is also a time of rapid change in the brain, but few studies have detailed changes in neurodevelopment during this sensitive period. We will study twins from early adolescence and use brain imaging to investigate changing brain patterns as the brain matures, and thereby, gain insight into factors responsible for increasing our risk or resilience for major mental health conditions and optimal points for intervention.
Genetics Of Complex Traits In Multiply Phenotyped Twin Sibships: The Brisbane Longitudinal Twin Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,019,887.00
Summary
Our aim is to identify genes influencing common diseases including melanoma, asthma and cardiovascular disease. We measure adolescent twins for moliness, skin, hair and eye colour and a variety of blood traits. We have already found new genes for mole count, eye colour, skin damage, and several different blood cell types. For each of these disease traits there are many more genes to be found and these will inform new treatments. We plan to keep expanding our sample size achieve this.
Genetic, Environmental And Epigenetic Influences On Human Tooth Emergence: A Twin Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$334,053.00
Summary
By studying a large sample of twins and their families, we want to find out how important genetic and environmental factors are in determining when primary ("baby") teeth appear in the mouth. This will improve our knowledge about the process of tooth eruption which is still not clearly understood. It will also be important for clinicians in managing situations where teeth appear in the mouth either very early or very late compared with what is generally expected and to counsel families where the ....By studying a large sample of twins and their families, we want to find out how important genetic and environmental factors are in determining when primary ("baby") teeth appear in the mouth. This will improve our knowledge about the process of tooth eruption which is still not clearly understood. It will also be important for clinicians in managing situations where teeth appear in the mouth either very early or very late compared with what is generally expected and to counsel families where there are problems of dental development.Read moreRead less
Clinical And Neurobiological Predictors Of Onset Of Major Mental Disorders (mania, Psychosis, Severe Depression), And Associated Functional Impairment, In Adolescent And Young Adult Twins: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,356,103.00
Summary
The Brisbane Twin Study is a prospective twin study tracking the real-time developmental trajectories of the onset of anxiety, mood, psychotic or substance misuse disorders through adolescence and young adulthood. This unique study has now reached the point where reassessment (after 20 years) can be performed. We will now determine the extent to which outcomes are predicted by neurobiological and genetic markers. This information is critical to prevention or early intervention strategies.