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Speech Impairment In Frontotemporal Dementia And Primary Progressive Aphasia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$50,888.00
Summary
This research project aims to inform our understanding of the characteristics and trajectory of speech difficulties in frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia, two forms of younger onset dementia. Understanding the changes to speech that occur will assist with the early diagnosis of these disorders and improve measurement of disease progression. Findings will positively influence patient care through the identification of treatment targets and improved knowledge of prognosis.
The Role Of Peripheral Blood MicroRNAs As Biomarkers Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,284.00
Summary
To investigate the role of microRNAs as biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) to allow for early diagnosis prior to the onset of clinically apparent memory decline. MicroRNA expression levels in blood samples from patients with AD, mild cognitive impairment and normal cognition will be assessed in order to determine potential biomarker candidates.
Understanding The Experience Of Making Decisions For Persons With Dementia And Their Carers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$71,110.00
Summary
This project aims to explore concepts of value, meaning, and experience of the diagnosis amongst sufferers of dementia through discussion of their approach to making care decisions, and reflection on how this dialogue has been conducted with others. These concepts will be assessed from the perspective of diagnosed sufferers, their primary carers and their diagnosing doctors.
Joint Longitudinal And Time-to-event Models For Applications In Health Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,073.00
Summary
A recently developed statistical technique ("joint modelling") allows for both repeatedly measured biomarker data (for example, blood pressure measurements) and event time data (for example, time until death) to be analysed together. There are several potential benefits to using these models, but since the methods are relatively new their uptake in applied health research remains limited. This PhD will consist of several distinct but interrelated projects which explore the use of these models.
Using Diffusion MRI For Understanding The Relationship Between Memory Decline And Corticothalamic Tracts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$57,578.00
Summary
Stroke populations are at a risk of dementia. Structural changes have been demonstrated to precede cognitive changes, providing a potential for early diagnosis and intervention. Magnetic resonance imaging markers of structural connectivity are powerful predictors of dementia. As a longitudinal study, this proposal has the unique advantage that I will be able to detect changes in post-stroke brain networks in the 3 years after stroke. This raises the potential for future clinical application.
Pathophysiology Of ALS: Evidence To Support The Dying Foward Hypothesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$49,471.00
Summary
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive, uniformly fatal, neurodegenerative disorder with peak age of onset for the common sporadic variant of the disease being in the middle productive period of 50-60 years. The current research project aims at clarifying the site of onset of disease within the motor system, specifically, the primacy of the corticomotorneuron in pathogenesis. This knowledge would be valuable in targeting interventions which modify disease progression.
Altered Sense Of Identity In Dementia: Cognitive And Neurobiological Underpinnings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,902.00
Summary
People with dementia commonly experience changes in their sense of identity, causing significant distress for the individual and their families. This project will investigate these changes comprehensively, determining their contributing factors and how they relate to dementia’s effect on the brain. Outcomes from this project will improve understanding of the experience of the person with dementia, informing personalised care and enhancing the quality of patient-carer relationships.
Palliative Care Outcomes Among Indigenous Australians: Analysis Of A Nationwide Dataset
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$43,309.00
Summary
Little is known about the quality of palliative care services provided to Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Australians. This study will use a high quality dataset collected from palliative care services nationwide to compare the quality of end-of-life care provided to Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The measures of care being compared will include the time taken to enter care, time taken to have clinical condition stabilised, and satisfactory control of symptoms.
Towards An Improved Understanding Of The Effect Of A Speaking Valve On Lung Volumes And Communication In The Critically Ill Tracheostomised Patient
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$45,795.00
Summary
Patients that require life support in intensive care often have breathing tubes in their neck. This means they are generally left without a voice for days, weeks, even months. Speaking valves meant for talking are not used much due to fears of harm to the lungs. Our study is looking at how much air is in the lungs when using this valve. Data so far suggest that the valve is in fact helping the lungs. The outcomes of this study may lead to most of these critically ill patients having a voice.
The Impact Of The Life Trajectory Of Extremely Low Gestational Age Neonates On Moral Distress Of Healthcare Professionals Within Neonatal Intensive Care Units
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$46,622.00
Summary
The provision of care to the smallest and least mature babies (known as Extremely Low Gestational Age Neonates) within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is recognised as a frequent source of distress to family and healthcare professionals alike. This study aims to explore how illness severity of preterm babies and predictions of the babies’ long-term outcomes impacts moral distress of doctors and nurses within NICUs. The results of this study will guide interventions to reduce its presence.