The Australian Parkinson's Project - Uncovering Genetic Risk Factors For Sporadic PD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$768,546.00
Summary
Parkinson s disease (PD) is a progressively disabling movement disorder afflicting many elderly Australians. It is caused by the degeneration of specific nerve cells in the brain that produce certain chemicals and patients suffer from an inability to move fluently (or ultimately at all). At present we do not know what triggers this neurodegeneration, but it is believed that complex interactions between inherited (genetic) and environmental factors contribute significantly to the phenomenon. This ....Parkinson s disease (PD) is a progressively disabling movement disorder afflicting many elderly Australians. It is caused by the degeneration of specific nerve cells in the brain that produce certain chemicals and patients suffer from an inability to move fluently (or ultimately at all). At present we do not know what triggers this neurodegeneration, but it is believed that complex interactions between inherited (genetic) and environmental factors contribute significantly to the phenomenon. This project aims to learn more about these complex interactions and their association with PD. People with PD and unaffected individuals will be recruited from throughout Australia and we will look for specific combinations of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that either increase or decrease an individual's risk for PD. This research will identify the most common dominant genetic and environmental influences for PD in Australia, enabling scientists to focus on the most relevant biological pathways to target therapeutically.Read moreRead less
A Longitudinal Study Of Bacterial Vaginosis And Mycoplasma Genitalium In Young Australian Women.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$102,270.00
Summary
The aim of this research project is to measure how many Australian women are infected with either bacterial vaginosis or Mycoplasma genitalium. These infections can be associated with significant reproductive complications for women. Very little is know about how common these infections are or how often they can occur. This study will follow 1400 women over 12 months, asking them to provide vaginal swabs through the post for testing for these infections.
Antagonist Of Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone As Therapeutic Agents For The Prevention Of Premature Birth In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,650.00
Summary
In developed countries the most common cause of the death of a newborn baby is premature delivery. Pre-term delivery remains the greatest cause of neonatal mortality in the western world and a major consumer of health dollars (approx. $5-7B per year in the US alone). However, a delay in the onset of labour from 20 to 25 weeks has been shown to result in a 55% greater probability of infant survival (550 fewer deaths per 1000). This project will allow: The development of new drugs that will allow ....In developed countries the most common cause of the death of a newborn baby is premature delivery. Pre-term delivery remains the greatest cause of neonatal mortality in the western world and a major consumer of health dollars (approx. $5-7B per year in the US alone). However, a delay in the onset of labour from 20 to 25 weeks has been shown to result in a 55% greater probability of infant survival (550 fewer deaths per 1000). This project will allow: The development of new drugs that will allow the extension of pregnancy term The development of protocols that will in turn reduce neonatal mortality. Additionally we believe that these new agents will be useful in preventing the onset of labour after fetal surgery. Currently there are no effective treatments capable of substantially changing delivery dates. Available therapeutics delay the onset of labour, at best, 24 hours. However, recent exciting results from our laboratories show that rising concentrations of the placental peptide Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone (CRH) are associated with the onset of labour. Further, we have also delayed the onset of labour in pregnant sheep by infusing a relatively insoluble CRH antagonist into the sheep fetus. Labour commenced ONLY AFTER the drug was withdrawn from the mother. This project builds upon an interdisciplinary team: medicinal chemists, molecular modellers, pharmacologists and endocrinologists, to further develop an exciting Australian discovery. Successful completeion of this research will, for the first time, allow the control of pregnancy duration MAXIMISING the benefits to mother and child, reducing mortality and later life morbidities typically associated with premature birth.Read moreRead less
Glycine Transporters regulate the concentration of glycine in the spinal cord and brain. It has been suggested that elevating glycine levels in these regions may be useful in treating pain and schizophrenia. This project will provide the basis for the development of new glycine transport inhibitors that may be used to treat these conditions.
A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial Of Nurse And General Practitioner Partnership For Care Of COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$449,377.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic disease that can progress to severe disability and use of hospital services. It is an important cause of both death and disability in Australia. Specifically it is the third leading cause of disease burden after heart disease and stroke. Smoking is the most important cause of the disease and there is strong evidence that smoking cessation will largely prevent progression of COPD. National evidence based guidelines for management of COPD w ....Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic disease that can progress to severe disability and use of hospital services. It is an important cause of both death and disability in Australia. Specifically it is the third leading cause of disease burden after heart disease and stroke. Smoking is the most important cause of the disease and there is strong evidence that smoking cessation will largely prevent progression of COPD. National evidence based guidelines for management of COPD were published in 2003 but these need to be implemented in the community. General practice is well placed to have a key role in early intervention and evidence based management of COPD. There is evidence that specialised nurses working in collaboration with GPs can improve the care the chronic illnesses including COPD. Care Plans with input from health professionals from a range of disciplines have been recommended for COPD but there are barriers to implementing these in general practice. This project brings together nurse assistance and care planning in a model of care designed to deliver best practice management of COPD in the community. The aim of this research is to evaluate the impact of anurse and GP partnership for care of COPD. We will examine the effect on quality of care and health outcomes at 6 and 12 months follow up. Our hypothesis is that the use of a nurse to work as a team with the patient and GP to develop and implement a care plan based on clinical practice guidelines will improve the quality of care received and have a beneficial effect on the patients' respiratory and overall health. This research will be of major significance for improving COPD care in the community and will have far reaching implications for both policy and practice. It will also define a new role for nurses and GPs working in partnership.Read moreRead less
MICROFABRICATED DEVICES: A SIGNIFICANT ADVANCE FOR THE DETECTION AND MOLECULAR ANALYSES OF CIRCULATING CANCER CELLS?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$422,107.00
Summary
Using advanced microfabrication concepts, this project aims to develop a platform technology able to capture tumour cells circulating in the blood of cancer patients. Although present only in extremely small numbers, these cells provide invaluable insights into the pathophysiology of the disease and consequently provide vital diagnostic and prognostic information. Molecular analyses of these cancer cells could ultimately enable the design of improved and personalized cancer treatment.