Detection And Management Of Depression In General Practice Patients With Chronic Manifestations Of Ischaemic Heart Disea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$499,797.00
Summary
This research will investigate the impact of ischemic heart disease on the prevalence and severity of patients with depression. This will be done via a 12 month general practice based program of 1) systematic screening for depression 2) informing general practitioners of best-practice guidelines for management of depression in these patients, and 3) providing the treating general practitioner with patient-specific, psychiatric advice.
IDENTIFICATION OF BRAIN NEURONS INVOLVED IN THE CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSE TO FEAR AND FLIGHT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,247.00
Summary
The circulatory system of the body acts in concert with the respiratory system to distribute oxygenated blood to the brain and other organs and tissues of the body. Control of blood pressure and heart rate is achieved largely through the actions of the central nervous system on effector organs and tissues such as the heart and blood vessels. This control is exerted through the actions of nerves in the body which affect the rate and force of contraction of the heart and the diameter of blood vess ....The circulatory system of the body acts in concert with the respiratory system to distribute oxygenated blood to the brain and other organs and tissues of the body. Control of blood pressure and heart rate is achieved largely through the actions of the central nervous system on effector organs and tissues such as the heart and blood vessels. This control is exerted through the actions of nerves in the body which affect the rate and force of contraction of the heart and the diameter of blood vessels which restrict the flow of blood to the tissues. These nerves, in turn, are under the control of brain cells or neurons which are located in the brainstem. Blood pressure-controlling neurons, acting upon information they receive from pressure sensors in the major blood vessels in the chest cavity, can alter their activity so that blood pressure is maintained within normal limits. Our laboratory has been examining the properties of these blood pressure-controlling neurons by recording their minute electrical discharges and by studying other brain regions which are able to influence them. In this study, we will use newly-developed procedures which will allow us to identify the precise locations of these neurons in the brain, to study which neurotransmitters (chemicals released by neurons which are used to communicate with other neurons) they use, as well as to identify other regions of the brain they connect with and influence. The major significance of this work will be that new brain circuits which transmit information about the status of the cardiovascular system to other areas of the brain will be identified. Our understanding of, and the development of new treatments for, cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure and heart failure are critically dependent on advancing our understanding of the nervous system.Read moreRead less
Prevention And Treatment Of Chronic Heart And Kidney Disease Via Epidemiological, Pharmacol Device And Cell-Based Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,795,334.00
Summary
Heart failure describes where the heart cannot pump adequately to meet the needs of the body. This condition has a high mortality despite recent advances in therapy, therefore, there is an urgent need for new approaches to this condition. The present grant aims to: (1) identify patients at high-risk for future development of this condition where early intervention with drugs may reduce or prevent the development of new heart failure; (2) use novel drugs, devices and stem cell therapies to identi ....Heart failure describes where the heart cannot pump adequately to meet the needs of the body. This condition has a high mortality despite recent advances in therapy, therefore, there is an urgent need for new approaches to this condition. The present grant aims to: (1) identify patients at high-risk for future development of this condition where early intervention with drugs may reduce or prevent the development of new heart failure; (2) use novel drugs, devices and stem cell therapies to identify ways to better treat patients with existing disease; (3) focus on the effect of heart failure on the kidney and vice versa via early diagnosis and treatment strategiesRead moreRead less
Alfred And Baker Medical Unit Centre For Clinical Cardiovascular Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,000,000.00
Summary
This Centre has three objectives: to create clinical research platforms; to provide time and training for advanced cardiology trainees, young clinical academics, research nurses, allied health staff and non-medical science graduates; and to translate previously established local and international research outcomes into knowledge, education and health benefits for the wider Australian community.
Integration Of Risk Evaluation In Cardiovascular Disease Management Programs.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,162,176.00
Summary
This study will determine the feasibility of a coordinated health care team approach to the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. It will examine a range of issues – who would most benefit from this approach, its value for money, the relative importance of health care services to consumers, and where to invest additional health funds. Built on strong collaborations between expert researchers in advanced diagnostic techniques, coordinated health care, community health care and health economics, ....This study will determine the feasibility of a coordinated health care team approach to the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. It will examine a range of issues – who would most benefit from this approach, its value for money, the relative importance of health care services to consumers, and where to invest additional health funds. Built on strong collaborations between expert researchers in advanced diagnostic techniques, coordinated health care, community health care and health economics, this provides a unique opportunity to benefit millions of Australians.Read moreRead less
The Brain As A Therapeutic Target For Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$923,432.00
Summary
In heart failure there is a large increase in sympathetic nerve activity to the heart that leads to damage to the heart and sudden death. We have shown that lesion of the area postrema, a brain nucleus that senses hormones in the blood, reduces nerve activity to the heart and, importantly, improves cardiac function. We aim to translate these findings into a treatment that can be used clinically, which our findings compellingly indicate should improve cardiac function in heart failure
Novel Approaches To The Prevention And Treatment Of Chronic Heart Disease And Its Co-morbid Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,793,580.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its associated additional disorders constitute major public health problems, especially given the rapidly ageing population which is increasingly affected by obesity and diabetes. This Program will explore novel therapies for the treatment of CVD and associated diseases, particularly focussing on chronic kidney disease, translating preliminary laboratory-based findings into clinical trials and then clinical and epidemiological findings into practice and policy.
Innovative Health Programs To Reduce Inequality In Heart Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$876,005.00
Summary
As part of his Senior NHMRC Fellowship, Prof Simon Stewart, a world-renowned health services researcher, will lead an internationally linked team of researchers from a broad range of health disciplines to undertake a program of research designed to improve the lives of those most vulnerable to heart disease and poor health outcomes. His program of research will focus on Indigenous Australians, patients with complex forms of heart disease and urban African communities in economic transition.
Harnessing Information Technology To Improve Self-management Behaviours And Health Outcome In People With Heart Failure: A Smarthome Ecosystem Living Lab Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,120,226.00
Summary
The burden of heart failure in Australia is substantial. Management of heart failure is complex and requires self-management of symptoms and behaviour change, which requires ongoing education and support to achieve. Current approaches for supporting self-management do not meet the needs of people with heart failure or the healthcare system. This Australian first project aims to co-design an intelligent smart home ecosystem (Smart Heart) to support the management for people with heart failure.
Advancement Of A Personalised Approach To Minimising Infective Complications In Cancer Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$265,138.00
Summary
Managing infections in patients with cancer have become more difficult and unpredictable because of new generation cancer therapies. Measuring the response of the immune system (immune profiling) will allow us to predict which patients will develop infection so that action such as vaccination can be taken to reduce their risk. This program will refine immune profiling to personalise infection care for cancer patients and to introduce it into hospital practice.