Atherosclerosis is an underlying cause of majority of cardiovascular diseases. The key element in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is impairment of cholesterol metabolism. Current treatment reduces cardiovascular disease by 30-40%, but the remaining risk is unacceptably high. A new idea how to treat atherosclerosis came from unexpected source, HIV infection. We propose to investigate how HIV causes atherosclerosis and if similar mechanisms are involved in common atherosclerosis.
High blood pressure affects 1 in 5 Australian adults and is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity from heart attack and stroke. The condition tends to run in families and genetic predisposition, in the face of environmental factors, leads to the elevation in blood pressure. My Lab has demonstrated the capacity of a cohort of affected hypertensive sibships we have collected to find loci for essential hypertension at a level that has achieved genome-wide statistical significance and has been ....High blood pressure affects 1 in 5 Australian adults and is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity from heart attack and stroke. The condition tends to run in families and genetic predisposition, in the face of environmental factors, leads to the elevation in blood pressure. My Lab has demonstrated the capacity of a cohort of affected hypertensive sibships we have collected to find loci for essential hypertension at a level that has achieved genome-wide statistical significance and has been published in a leading molecular genetics journal. Moreover, this previous work, which included fine-mapping after finding a suggestive locus following a scan of chromosome 1, not only demonstrated significant linkage, but also went on to compare gene markers between a different cohort of (unrelated) hypertensive subjects with 2 affected parents (and early-onset, moderate to severe hypertension) and control normotensive matched subjects with unaffected parents, to identify a likely candidate gene. This same approach will be used to complete the rest of the genome. The discovery of all of the genes for essential hypertension will be an important prelude to: (1) developing new, more effective treatments, since the gene products responsible will be able to be targetted by novel therapeutics, (2) genotyping individuals early in life in order to advise them what their risk is, and thus allow couselling about lifestyle modification, (3) more logically apply existing treatment strategies according to the volume-neural-vasoconstrctor component of the contribution to high blood pressure.Read moreRead less
Designing Novel Apolipoprotein A1 Mimetic Peptides As Drug Treatment For Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$60,016.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is the formation of atherosclerotic plaques caused by the imbalance between the amount of cholesterol delivered and removed from the arteries. Apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA-1) is the main protein of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and removes cholesterol out of cell. In this project we are aimed at designing and testing new drugs (ApoA1-mimetic peptides) which will elicit the same anti-atherogenic properties as apoA-1, as a therapeutic agent for prevention of atherosclerosis.
Development Of A Computer-based Retinal Imaging Program For Identification Of People At Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$254,714.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and imposes an enormous financial and healthcare burden on the Australian community. This project will develop and deliver a novel clinical prediction tool, incorporating retinal vascular imaging and assessment, to improve identification of asymptomatic people who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease at an early stage, allowing implementation of preventative strategies and medical interventions to effectively prevent CV disease.
The LIPID Study: 16 Year Outcomes And Predictors Of Risk And Their Interactions In CHD Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$756,559.00
Summary
The single most common cause of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, is hardening of the arteries. This can largeley be prevented and this research seeks to expand our knowledge of new indicators of risk and their interaction with the traditional risk factors, such as smoking. With increased understanding, it is very possible that novel factors will be discovered which will lead to very important new treatments to prevent problems like heart attack in the future.
Determining Current And Future Populations At Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease Using Applied Geographic Information (GIS).
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,713.00
Summary
This unique and innovative project has the potential to deliver a powerful tool to both highlight and combat the burden of CVD in Australia. Key outcomes include,the ability to identify geographical ‘hotspots’ where there is likely to be a mismatch between demand for and actual provision of cardiovascular services and where new hotspots are likely to emerge requiring increased resources and services as a result of the ageing and increasing risk factors such as diabetes and obesity.
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.
Echocardiographic Predictors Of Cardiovascular Outcomes And Their Progression In Diabetes Mellitus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$104,664.00
Summary
Premature cardiovascular (CV) disease is the most common cause of death in diabetes, and the risk persists even after adjustment for traditional risk factors. We aim to assess the prevalence and predictors of CV disease in type 2 diabetes (DM). Additionally we will assess the prognostic utility of potential plasma biomarkers and echocardiography, perform a 8-year outcome analysis.
Prevention Of Stroke Caused By Carotid Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,062.00
Summary
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability and a huge drain on health resources in Australia and worldwide. Carotid artery atherosclerosis (vascular disease) is an important cause of stroke. Currently surgery (with a significant risk of stroke-death) is commonly performed to prevent carotid stroke. My aim is to show that current best practice medical intervention is superior to surgery and to identify high risk patients for whom additional stroke prevention strategies may be justified.