Identification Of Brain Regions Involved In The Regulation Of Coughing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,146.00
Summary
Cough is a symptom of more than 100 clinical conditions of the respiratory system, and is the most common reason that people seek medical advice. However, currently available cough suppresant drugs are at best only modestly effective at treating cough disorders. In this study we aim to better understand how the brain regulates coughing in the hope to identify new therapeutic targets for relieving cough.
Gabapentin In The Treatment Of Idiopathic Chronic Cough: A Randomised Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$331,229.00
Summary
Better treatment approaches are needed to address the significant quality of life impairment associated with chronic cough. We propose to conduct a double-blind, placebo controlled study comparing the efficacy (and safety) of oral gabapentin therapy on cough reflex severity and cough-specific quality of life in people with idiopathic cough. The advantages are a strong design, use of objective assessment techniques, and investigation of a new treatment modality for cough.
Dissecting The Central Organisation Of Cough Neural Networks
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$880,928.00
Summary
Cough is the most prevalent symptom of lung disease and the most common reason for people to seek medical advice. However, cough neural processes are poorly defined and as a result current cough therapies are largely ineffective making cough a significant unmet clinical problem. This project will novel viral strategies to dissect and manipulate cough neural pathways in the brain, providing insights into the neural processing of airway sensations and coughing.
Pregabalin And Speech Pathology Treatment For Refractory Chronic Cough With Laryngeal Hypersensitivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$155,747.00
Summary
Persistent cough that does not respond to medical treatment is debilitating and frustrating for the sufferer and very expensive for the Australian government. This research will provide a new and effective treatment option and extend our current reputation as the world leader in the identification and treatment of refractory chronic cough. This treatment strategy has not been trialled before and the findings will change current medical practice and significantly reduce community health costs.
Improving Children's Respiratory Health Through Better Evidence And Knowledge
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$568,892.00
Summary
Prevention and/or early treatment potentially change the child’s life trajectory for lung health as adults. This is particularly important in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as respiratory illness is very common with long term consequences. In my fellowship, I will undertake appropriate clinical studies (treatment and preventative) that are most likely to improve lung health outcomes, particularly in conditions relevant in Indigenous children.
Dysfunction of the nervous system plays an important role in the symptoms of many respiratory diseases. For example, excessive non-productive coughing, elevated mucous secretion, reduced airway patency and hyperreactivity are all characteristic symptoms of diseases such as asthma and all involve over-activity of the nervous system. This research aims to understand the neural circuitry that is involved in controlling the airways and the mechanisms that underlie how this circuitry can become dysfu ....Dysfunction of the nervous system plays an important role in the symptoms of many respiratory diseases. For example, excessive non-productive coughing, elevated mucous secretion, reduced airway patency and hyperreactivity are all characteristic symptoms of diseases such as asthma and all involve over-activity of the nervous system. This research aims to understand the neural circuitry that is involved in controlling the airways and the mechanisms that underlie how this circuitry can become dysfunctional.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Trial To Evaluate Early Intervention In Chronic Cough In Indigenous Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,432,252.00
Summary
This study aims to determine whether a validated evidence-based cough algorithm initiated at the development of chronic cough, defined as >4 weeks duration, following an acute respiratory illness (ARI) improves clinical outcomes in urban, rural and remote Indigenous children compared to standard care. The study will also examine the predictors of chronic cough and cough outcomes in these children as well as the cost-effectivess of the intervention.
A novel sensory neural circuit has been identified innervating the airways and lungs. The anatomical organisation of this circuit has been described to some extent in previous studies, however there is a significant gap in knowledge with respect to its functional importance. This project will develop methods to address this knowledge gap and in doing so the project will firstly describe how this circuit controls breathing under normal conditions and secondly how this becomes dysregulated during