Craig Anderson is a clinician-scientist, with specialist training in neurology and geriatrics, and an internationally-recognised epidemiologist and clinical trialist researcher. His work is dedicated to generating the highest quality evidence to improve the prevention and treatment of stroke and other neurological diseases related to ageing.
Lipoprotein(a) Metabolism In Subjects At High Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$690,735.00
Summary
Heart disease is a major health burden. Despite best evidence-based treatments, residual risk remains high. Lp(a), a small protein in the blood, is a powerful causal risk factor for premature heart disease, but little is known about its physiology or metabolism. This study will provide vital knowledge into Lp(a) metabolism and the mechanisms by which two unique therapies lower Lp(a) levels. These insights may expand treatment choices for people at risk of heart disease.
A common medical problem is the inability to maintain normal blood pressure while standing. This can cause blackouts, falls and injury. The available medical treatment is very deficient, because the various body mechanisms at play are poorly understood, so it has not been possible to specifically target the root cause. This grant application aims to study patients with these “postural hypotension” disorders, to better understand how the problems develop, and consequently, to provide better medic ....A common medical problem is the inability to maintain normal blood pressure while standing. This can cause blackouts, falls and injury. The available medical treatment is very deficient, because the various body mechanisms at play are poorly understood, so it has not been possible to specifically target the root cause. This grant application aims to study patients with these “postural hypotension” disorders, to better understand how the problems develop, and consequently, to provide better medical treatment.Read moreRead less
Enzymes that generate or degrade peptides serve important roles - alterations in their activity can impact on a diverse range of physiological processes in healthy and diseased states. Angiotensin is a peptide that plays a critical role in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance - drugs that block the activity of its processing enzymes forms an important class of medication used to treat hypertension and heart disease. My research interest is in discovering novel roles for these enzymes.
Brown fat protects animals against obesity and diabetes. Humans with abundant brown fat are metabolically healthy. Identification of medication that boosts brown fat function may lead to novel treatment of metabolic disorders. This proposal will examine the role of such a medication, which is modeled on a factor (called FGF21) released from brown fat. The project will also search for other factors released by human brown fat, which may become future targets of obesity treatment.
Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain - Using Genetic Data To Investigate The Causal Relationship Between Cardiovascular And Neurodegenerative Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$191,261.00
Summary
There is growing evidence supporting a strong association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) with neurodegenerative disease. However, evidence from observational studies has been inconsistent. This project will use genetic data to investigate this link. The project outcomes may point to new avenues for research and prevention, whereby lifestyle modifications pharmaceutical interventions which decrease CVD might also hold promise for reducing the burden of neurodegenerative disease.
Dangerous Dreams: The Next Era In Paediatric Sleep Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,238,220.00
Summary
The amount of time and the quality of our sleep affects every aspect of our health and well-being. The amount of time we sleep is maximal in infants and children because it is promotes normal brain development. Sleep problems affect nearly half of all children and adversely affect both learning and blood pressure. The proposed studies will identify and improve treatment of sleep problems to improve overall physical health and quality of life for these children and their families.
Using Healthcare Wisely: Reducing Inappropriate Use Of Tests And Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,578,895.00
Summary
Overdiagnosis and overtreatment as unintended consequences of modern healthcare due to expanded disease definitions labelling people with mild problems or at low risk of illness, diagnostic tests identifying inconsequential abnormalities and screening programs detecting disease that won’t progress. The result is much harm and unsustainable overuse. We will research the prevalence, causes and consequences of overdiagnosis and overtreatment, evaluate solutions and widely disseminate findings.