A Novel Sensory Nerve Stimulator To Improve Neuropathy In Patients With Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$407,924.00
Summary
We have developed a painless, self-applied, cheap, battery powered electrical stimulation treatment that improves sensory nerve function in some people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We have tested this technique in laboratory animals and in people with diabetes and have shown it is effective in some. We now propose to test this technique in a large sample of people similar to the participants in the successful group of our pilot study - 55-65 year old people with diabetes of shorter durat ....We have developed a painless, self-applied, cheap, battery powered electrical stimulation treatment that improves sensory nerve function in some people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We have tested this technique in laboratory animals and in people with diabetes and have shown it is effective in some. We now propose to test this technique in a large sample of people similar to the participants in the successful group of our pilot study - 55-65 year old people with diabetes of shorter duration. In addition, older people up to 75 years of age, with up to 10 years duration of diabetes will be included separately. If successful, the electrical stimulation could improve sensation leading to fewer ulcerations and amputations. Much suffering and expense would be avoided. - The magnitude of reduction in suffering and expense can be judged from the fact that people with diabetes have 15 times the risk of amputation as do people without diabetes. In Australia half of non-traumatic amputations are done to people with diabetes. Foot ulcers precede amputations in most cases, and in themselves cause much suffering and expense. Australia needs to act on this now because, if current trends continue, the number of people with diabetes will increase as the population ages. -The number of people aged over 65 will increase from around 2.3 million at present to over 6 million in the next half century. The increase in those over 85 will be even more marked with numbers increasing four fold to over one million people. Diabetes affects approximately 23% of people aged 75 or older.Read moreRead less
Do Postjunctional Alterations Explain The Effects Of Diabetes On Neurovascular Transmission?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,886.00
Summary
Diabetes produces disordered skin blood flow that increases risk of skin ulcers and gangrene. The project investigates nervous control of skin blood vessels in diabetes. It is assumed that all affects of diabetes on nerve function are explained by loss of nerves. We hypothesize that some affects of diabetes are due to dysfunction of blood vessels and not to nerve loss. The objective is to identify drug targets to improve blood flow in skin and thereby reduce the risk of skin ulcers and gangrene.
NEU-HORIZONS: The Neuroprotection And Therapeutic Use Of Riluzole For The Prevention Of Oxaliplatin Neurotoxicity Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$382,402.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with more than 13500 cases recorded annually. Oxaliplatin is an effective chemotherapy for the treatment of colorectal cancer. The major side-effect of oxaliplatin is the development of nerve damage that leads to loss of feeling in the hands and feet and significant disability. The aim of this study is to conduct a trial of a new treatment for oxaliplatin-induced nerve damage.
How Amyloid Causes Neurodegeneration: The Role Of Transthyretin In Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$618,950.00
Summary
This project seeks to understand the biochemical basis of nerve degeneration in a disease known as familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy. This disease is caused by a protein known as transthyretin, which is abnormally deposited around nerves and causes nerve damage. The project is highly likely to provide clues which help us understand some related dementia causing diseases like Alzheimer's disease and prion diseases such as scrapie and mad cow disease.
The Incidence And Predictors Of Foot Disease Hospitalisation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Foot disease seems to be a much larger cause of hospitalisation than first thought. This research program aims to study for the first ever time the annual incidence of foot disease hospitalisation and develop models to predict which patients with foot disease are likely to be hospitalised or die. We believe this research will help clinicians, researchers and governments from around the world to measure, predict and prevent foot disease hospitalisation in their nations for the first time.
Mechanism And Treatment Of Sympathetically Maintained Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$482,962.00
Summary
This project investigates a crucial but neglected element in the mechanism of chronic pain that develops after nerve and tissue injury. In particular, our aim is to establish whether expression of a chemical target of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline increases in the painful skin of affected patients, and whether medication that blocks this target alleviates inflammation and pain. If so, this may open up new avenues for treatment for previously intractable pain syndromes.
Diabetic neuropathy causes severe disability, with pain, loss of sensation and weakness. The current project will assess the utility of a new testing method, known as nerve excitability assessment, as a method of detecting early changes in nerve function in diabetic patients. If this technique proves useful in detecting early nerve damage, it will assist in the development of therapeutic and preventative treatments for neuropathy in diabetic patients.
Nerve Excitability Assessment: A Novel Biomarker For The Early Detection Of Diabetic Neuropathy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,203.00
Summary
Australia has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world. Diabetes may be complicated by the development of nerve damage, causing weakness and pain in the upper and lower limbs. The cause remains unclear and there are no tools available for its early detection. This study will provide further information about the cause of diabetic neuropathy and will investigate more sophisticated means for its early detection.
Enhanced Sensory Perception Via Jitter Reduction And Neural Synchronisation Evoked By Subsensory Electrical Noise Stimulation – Restoring Sensitivity In Peripheral Neuropathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,473.00
Summary
The elderly and patients with diabetes are at high risk of losing sensation in their feet and currently no treatment for this condition exists. This loss of feeling leads to falls, fractures and foot ulcers, which in many cases end with amputation. We have developed a new subsensory stimulation technique which for the first time restores lost sensation. Development of this novel treatment is made possible by a multi-disciplinary team of engineers, neuroscientists, physiologists and podiatrists.
E-PREDICE Early Prevention Of Diabetes Complications In Europe
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$917,400.00
Summary
The e-PREDICE study will randomise 3000 people aged 45-74 with mild hyperglycaemia or early diabetes to treatment with intensive lifestyle modification alone, or plus metformin, or sitagliptin, or liraglutide, aiming to reduce diabetes eye, kidney and nerve damage. The Australian arm will be co-ordinated by the University of Sydney and other sites include Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Royal Melbourne Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital