Closed-loop Deep Brain Stimulation: Optimising Treatment Of Parkinson’s Disease Using Adaptive Stimulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$726,177.00
Summary
Deep brain stimulation is an established therapy for Parkinson's disease when patients’ symptoms cannot be controlled adequately using medication. Although deep brain stimulation usually improves quality of life significantly, existing devices have shortcomings that often result in poor symptom alleviation and/or undesirable side-effects. This project is aimed at developing an innovative system that automatically adjusts stimulation according to the continually fluctuating needs of each patient.
Clarifying The Clinical Application And Mechanisms Of Pedunculopontine Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation For Parkinson’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$202,320.00
Summary
Over 64,000 Australians have Parkinson’s disease. Most patients with Parkinson’s disease ultimately develop gait ‘freezing’ and poor balance, which impair quality of life and cause falls. Unfortunately, gait freezing and poor balance often don’t improve with conventional treatments. We are therefore helping to develop a new treatment for these symptoms, which involves implanting a pacemaker into a very deep region in the brain called the “Pedunculopontine Nucleus’.
Patterns Of Care And Outcomes For Subarachnoid Haemorrhage: A Data Linkage Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$125,625.00
Summary
As many as 30% of people with subarachnoid haemorrahge (SAH) die within 90 days. Survivors are often left disabled. Death rates appear to be decreasing. Identifying health service variables that impact positively on survival has the potential to inform health policy and practice. We will describe variations in mortality, hospital re-admission and patterns of care. The study will observe the uptake of new SAH management including new neurosurgical techniques.