Optimising Asthma Management In Pregnancy For Optimal Infant Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
Asthma affects 12% of pregnant women in Australia. These women are at increased risk of poor pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth and hospitalisation of the neonate. Reducing asthma attacks by providing optimal asthma management during pregnancy may lower these risks. This research will test whether a strategy which determines treatment changes based on a marker of airway inflammation, improves outcomes for maternal, neonatal and child health.
Respiratory Viral Infections As Triggers Of Acute Severe Asthma Exacerbations In Atopics: Mechanistic Studies In An Experimental Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$659,494.00
Summary
An important unresolved issue in asthma research is why almost all the children who present in hospital emergency with very severe asthma attacks are both allergic and virally infected. This project will seek to define how immune responses to viruses and aeroallergens interact to create very severe inflammation in the airways thus precipitating the severest type of asthma attacks. Understanding the underlying mechanisms will hopefully provide new clues towards better treatments.
The Breathing For Life Trial (BLT): A Randomised Trial Of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Based Management Of Asthma During Pregnancy And Its Impact On Perinatal Outcomes And Infant And Childhood Respiratory Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,722,020.00
Summary
Asthma affects 12% of pregnant women in Australia. These women are at increased risk of poor pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth and hospitalisation of the neonate. Reducing asthma attacks by providing optimal asthma management during pregnancy may lower these risks. We will test whether a strategy which determines treatment changes based on a marker of airway inflammation, improves outcomes for maternal, neonatal and child health.
Localised Airway Reactivity As A Determinant Of Asthma Control And AHR
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$306,562.00
Summary
Asthma morbidity and mortality remain high, with drug cost, days lost from school and work. This may be due to severe asthma in which control cannot be attained. This may be due to localised regions of lung that remain persistently responsive to inhaled irritants. We will examine the location and size of these regions using 3-dimensional ventilation scanning. The potential importance of our findings is in providing a basis for improving treatment in resistant, severe asthma.
Airway Epithelial Barrier Function, Asthma And Aero-allergen Sensitization.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,886.00
Summary
There is a strong association between allergy and asthma. This association been almost universally assumed to be causative. However, recent evidence suggests an alternative explanation ie., that the abnormal epithelium in asthma allows or facilitates sensitization to airborne allergens. This project will test this alternative hypothesis using human lung tissue and an animal model.
Longitudinal Characterization Of Respiratory And Immune Development From Birth To Adulthood In The Perth Respiratory Birth Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$528,885.00
Summary
The Perth Respiratory Birth Cohort Study began in 1987 and has assessed 253 children before birth and at follow-up at 1, 6 & 12 months, and 6, 11 & 18 years of age. The study has resulted in 63 publications and achieved consistent international prominence. The proposed study of the cohort at 24 yrs aims to determine the respiratory and immunological status of the cohort as young adults. This follow-up is essential to determine how early risk factors affect respiratory outcome in young adults.
Asthma causes wheeze and shortness of breath via airway narrowing, with asthma attacks commonly caused by virus infections. We plan to investigate how airway narrowing during an asthma attack decreases the body’s ability to fight off a viral infection, causing prolonged infection, worse asthma symptoms, more airway inflammation and long-term damage within the airways. We will attempt to use current and novel treatments to reverse these problems, and improve treatment for asthma.
Stephen Stick Practitioner Fellowship In Paediatric Respiratory Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,272.00
Summary
Fellowship will facilitate the further study of mechanisms of chronic childhood respiratory disease and strategies for intervention to reduce morbidity and improve quality of life for patients and families.