Cardiovascular Responses To Stress And Arousal: Hypothalamic And Brainstem Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$566,468.00
Summary
Stressful episodes in everyday life cause increases in blood pressure, mainly via activation of nerves that constrict blood vessels and increase heart rate. This in turn increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or other cardiovascular diseases. This project aims to identify the brain mechanisms that cause these stress-evoked effects. This knowledge may lead to much more effective ways of minimising stress-evoked responses, and thus reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders.
Molecular Pathways Mediating Quiescence And Resistance In Leukaemia Stem Cells In Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,381.00
Summary
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a devastating cancer of the blood and bone marrow which is rapidly fatal unless effectively treated with chemotherapy. AML is caused by genetic events that alter normal blood stem cells to give them a growth and survival advantage and also may confer resistance to chemotherapy in some cases. We will evaluate and target the mechanism of this resistance in laboratory models. This information can then be used to design new treatments to improve outcomes in AML.
Acute Stress Disorder And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Injured Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$125,000.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to develop the means to identify acute reactions to trauma that will predict chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children after a traumatic injury. This project will conduct the first prospective analysis of acute stress disorder and chronic traumatic stress symptoms in children, develop diagnostic guidelines to identify acutely traumatized children who are at risk of PTSD, and identify biological, cognitive, and familial factors that mediate PTSD developme ....The aim of this project is to develop the means to identify acute reactions to trauma that will predict chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children after a traumatic injury. This project will conduct the first prospective analysis of acute stress disorder and chronic traumatic stress symptoms in children, develop diagnostic guidelines to identify acutely traumatized children who are at risk of PTSD, and identify biological, cognitive, and familial factors that mediate PTSD development following trauma. Two hundred children (aged 7 - 12 years) who are admitted to hospital following a traumatic injury will be assessed for acute disorder within one month of the accident. They will be also be assessed for heart rate, blood pressure, memory patterns, and family responses during the initial assesment. Parents will also be assessed for their trauma reactions. All participants will be re-assessed at 6-months posttrauma, and again at 18-months posttrauma. These findings will establish the means to identify acutely traumatized children who are at risk of PTSD and open up opportunities for early intervention and prevention of PTSD.Read moreRead less
Role Of Myeloperoxidase In Endothelial Barrier Dysfunction During Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
The release of the enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) within blood vessels is thought to affect their ‘leakiness’ during periods of inflammation, leading to fluid associated swelling (oedema). We propose that MPO produces oxidant chemicals that increase blood vessel leakage. The aim of our work is to study how these chemicals increase vascular leakage by studying the biochemical pathways involved. These studies could lead to new intervention strategies targeting MPO to reduce excessive tissue oedema.
Importance Of The Brain Renin-Angiotensin System For Regulating Blood Pressure And Cardiovascular Autonomic Function.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$609,424.00
Summary
The peptide angiotensin a major regulator of many brain areas controlling blood volume and blood pressure. Brain angiotensin may well contribute to high blood pressure but how it acts in each of the different brain areas is unknown. New gene transfer technology using viruses combined with genetically modified mice will enable this project to inactivate or activate angiotensin in each brain nucleus and determine the role of individual areas to setting of blood pressure leading to hypertension.
A Prospective Study Of Traumatic Stress In Children Involved In Motor Vehicle Accidents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$185,889.00
Summary
Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are relatively frequent major life trauma that represent significant life threatening experiences. Not surprisingly evidence suggests that MVAs represent a frequent trigger for the development of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), although studies have typically focussed upon adult survivors. Local statistics indicate a significant proportion of children will experience a MVA of sufficient severity to warrant attendance at hospital. This project is of significa ....Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are relatively frequent major life trauma that represent significant life threatening experiences. Not surprisingly evidence suggests that MVAs represent a frequent trigger for the development of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), although studies have typically focussed upon adult survivors. Local statistics indicate a significant proportion of children will experience a MVA of sufficient severity to warrant attendance at hospital. This project is of significance because it will provide badly needed information about the prevalence and course of emotional and behavioural problems in children following exposure to a serious MVA. More broadly the study should provide valuable information on post-traumatic stress responses in children. Furthermore, it will enable us to identify the factors that place children at particular risk of developing psychological problems following a MVA. This will provide information to help design of interventions to prevent the development of PTSD and other forms of psychopathology following MVAs. Such data will also permit identification of those children who are at particular risk of psychological morbidity after MVA trauma and for whom preventive interventions are most likely to be beneficial.Read moreRead less
Role Of The Paraventricular Hypothalamus In Angiotensin Induced Neurogenic Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,014.00
Summary
Hormones released from the kidney are important for setting the level of blood pressure. We have discovered that very low levels of the peptide angiotensin in the blood also leads to activation of specific parts of the brain that drive to increase the nervous system activity to blood vessels and therefore increases blood pressure further. This study will explore the chemical signals in the brain mediating this increase in blood pressure.
Enhancing Treatment Effectiveness In Acute Stress Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$235,330.00
Summary
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common psychiatric condition to develop after trauma. Early intervention of PTSD following a trauma is indicated because chronic PTSD can be resistant to treatment. Early intervention is possible because acute stress disorder immediately after a trauma identifies those people who will develop chronic PTSD. Although cognitive behaviour therapy of acute stress disorder can effectively prevent PTSD in many cases, many people do not benefit from this ....Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common psychiatric condition to develop after trauma. Early intervention of PTSD following a trauma is indicated because chronic PTSD can be resistant to treatment. Early intervention is possible because acute stress disorder immediately after a trauma identifies those people who will develop chronic PTSD. Although cognitive behaviour therapy of acute stress disorder can effectively prevent PTSD in many cases, many people do not benefit from this treatment because this treatment involves exposure to distressing memories and emotions, and this contributes to many people dropping out of treatment. This project aims to extend the utility of early intervention following trauma by assessing approaches that can be used by most trauma survivors. The project compares early intervention with either exposure, cognitive therapy, combined exposure and cognitive therapy, or supportive counseling. All therapy will be conducted in the initial four weeks and will comprise 6 sessions. Assessments will be conducted posttreatment, six-months follow-up, and one-year follow-up. The outcomes of this project will have significant public health benefits because they will lead to increased treatment effectiveness for acutely traumatized people, and will markedly reduce the incidence of PTSD in the community.Read moreRead less
Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy: Pathogenesis And Natural History
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$246,478.00
Summary
Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC): broken heart syndrome is a poorly-understood cause of acute heart failure which usually occurs in post-menopausal women exposed to severe emotional stress. We will investigate the best way to diagnose TTC, identify its molecular causes and impact in the short and long-term on cardiac and blood vessel function. This research potentially should improve the detection and management of TTC, and may point to ways for its prevention.