Depressive And Bipolar Disorders: Causes, Presentation And Treatment Innovations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,100,605.00
Summary
Depression and bipolar disorder are two of Australia’s leading causes of disease burden, with 3-4 million Australians affected during their lifetime. However, despite being such a serious health burden, there are major shortcomings to current understanding and management. This research program aims to further our knowledge of the causes and presentations of the mood disorders, and to improve and “tailor” treatment for the many Australians who suffer from these highly disabling illnesses.
Stroke outcomes directly relate to brain tissue rescue. We have contributed to changes in clinical practice through many clinical trials of new protocols and therapeutic strategies. Our program will focus on brain salvage in the pre-hospital setting and the acute hospital environment. We will use novel approaches to enhance brain recovery and design new implementation strategies to maximise the benefits of these therapeutic advances.
Disorders Of Sex Development: Genetics, Diagnosis, Informing Clinical Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,751,502.00
Summary
Disorders of sexual development (DSDs) are surprisingly common, and often result in genital abnormalities, gender mis-assignment, infertility and psychological trauma. We will pool our expertise in human genetics, molecular and developmental biology, to find genes important for sex development, identify gene defects that cause DSD, and study their functions. We will liaise with clinicians to apply these findings to the accurate diagnosis and medical care of DSD in children.
From Discovery To Innovation In Stuttering Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,124,148.00
Summary
Stuttering starts in 2-3-year olds and if not controlled causes a lifetime of social anxiety, and hinders educational and vocational achievement. Recent discoveries by the current team and colleagues have shown the disorder to be far more prevalent, and more of a public health problem, than previously thought. The team has developed efficacious treatments for stuttering children and adults. However, no country can afford the health care needed for all who stutter. The present research is designe ....Stuttering starts in 2-3-year olds and if not controlled causes a lifetime of social anxiety, and hinders educational and vocational achievement. Recent discoveries by the current team and colleagues have shown the disorder to be far more prevalent, and more of a public health problem, than previously thought. The team has developed efficacious treatments for stuttering children and adults. However, no country can afford the health care needed for all who stutter. The present research is designed to solve this problem by developing standalone Internet based stuttering treatments. These will be evaluated in a stepped care treatment approach for people who stutter, in Australia and internationally.Read moreRead less
Tropical Disease - Immunity, Pathogenesis And Vaccine Development: Global Translation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$17,988,456.00
Summary
Tropical diseases create a significant human and economic burden worldwide - particularly in resource-poor settings. Around half of the world's population is at risk of malaria. In Australia, Streptococcal and parasitic worm infections are particularly common in indigenous communities. This Program brings together leading experts to tackle these major health challenges. They are investigating how the body reacts to infection and creating new drugs and vaccines to eradicate these diseases.
The development of better ways to prevent and treat influenza infection will be a major step forward in lessening the impact of the virus in communities worldwide. We have assembled a research team of seven groups who will determine the ways in which the effects of influenza can be mitigated through an understanding of the factors which lead to severe disease, and how these can be lessened by novel vaccination and treatment strategies.