Neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases are difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat. They affect the elderly and children, usually at very early age, and often lead to premature death or chronic debilitation – they are usually incurable and 30-80% of patients remain undiagnosed. This program will identify new disease genes, establish routine diagnostics using cutting edge tools, identify novel and validate known biomarkers and develop novel treatment strategies.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Early Use Of A Simplified Treatment Regimen Incorporating A Half-dose, Three-in-one Blood Pressure Lowering Pill Vs. Usual Care For Improving Hypertension Control In India.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,095,201.00
Summary
Hypertension affects a large proportion of the Indian population. Effective medications exist to lower blood pressure (BP) and the adverse effects of hypertension. However, complex medication regimes and the need to take multiple drugs can affect patient adherence to drugs, making it difficult to achieve good BP control. This research will investigate whether use of a simplified treatment protocol including a three-in-one BP lowering pill can improve BP control in Indians with hypertension.
This Fellowship will develop novel diagnostic techniques in those patients who are at risk of developing Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease. Participants will also be encouraged to enrol in a brain donation program allowing detailed information for future correlations between symptoms and brain changes. This work will lead to the creation of a diagnostic matrix (At Risk Index) that will provide clinicians and researchers with tools to inform better diagnosis, prognosis and therapy.
Understanding And Preventing Physical And Cognitive Decline And Falls In Older People With Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,626.00
Summary
Falls are common in people with dementia and are more likely to result in injury, death and institutionalisation. There is limited evidence that falls can be prevented in this group. Strategies aimed at maintaining independence and preventing decline and falls are urgently needed. This research will a) further our understanding of fall risk and functional decline and b) explore novel fall and decline prevention programs, including the use of technology in older people with dementia.
PREVention Of Diabetes Through Lifestyle Intervention And Population Studies In Europe And Around The World
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,281.00
Summary
The PREVIEW Study will identify the most efficient lifestyle pattern for the prevention of type-2 diabetes in a population of pre-diabetic overweight or obese individuals. The project comprises two distinct lines of evidence, an intervention study and population studies. The focus will be on diet (specifically protein and glycemic index) and intensity of physical activity, as well as their interaction with the lifestyle factors, habitual stress, sleeping pattern, behavioural, environmental, cult ....The PREVIEW Study will identify the most efficient lifestyle pattern for the prevention of type-2 diabetes in a population of pre-diabetic overweight or obese individuals. The project comprises two distinct lines of evidence, an intervention study and population studies. The focus will be on diet (specifically protein and glycemic index) and intensity of physical activity, as well as their interaction with the lifestyle factors, habitual stress, sleeping pattern, behavioural, environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic variables.Read moreRead less
Rolling It Out: Targeted Translation Intervention To Improve Driving Cessation Outcomes For People With Dementia Across Metropolitan And Regional Areas
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,644.00
Summary
This research addresses social, emotional and practical challenges that people with dementia face in dealing with stopping driving. A resource that provides practical and emotional support and education around stopping driving is required in primary care settings to improve quality of life of people with dementia and their carers, and support health professionals who monitor driving issues. This program will translate a research-based resource into GP clinics and community services in Australia.
Choir Participation To Improve Wellbeing And Relationship Quality For Community-dwelling People With Dementia And Their Primary Care-givers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$569,698.00
Summary
An estimated 300,000 Australians live with dementia and this figure is projected to triple by 2050. Aligning with government priorities to support primary caregivers to care for loved ones at home, this project investigates the effect of choir participation and familiar music for people with dementia and their caregivers. We expect to find evidence that active music participation enhances wellbeing, quality of life, and relationship quality for people with dementia and their caregivers.
Development And Implementation Of Evidence-based Deprescribing Guidelines To Guide Person-centred Care For People With Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,363.00
Summary
Optimising medication use in people with dementia will include both initiation of necessary medications and withdrawal of unnecessary and harmful medications. Many guidelines exist to aid doctors when prescribing medication, however, no guidelines currently exist that detail when, or how to withdraw medications. Development and implementation of such guidelines into practice may lead to improved quality of life of people with dementia and their carers.
Development And Validation Of The First Culturally Based Quality Of Life Tool For Aboriginal Australians Living With Dementia Or Cognitive Impairment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,435.00
Summary
Enhancing quality of life (QoL) is the central goal of care providers for clients with dementia. A QoL tool identifies areas of need, enabling strategies to be planned and evaluated accordingly. Dementia is highly prevalent in Aboriginal Australians. There is no QoL tool for Aboriginal Australians living with dementia. This project will develop and test a QoL tool with Aboriginal Australians living with dementia or other cognitive impairment. The factors affecting QoL will also be identified.
This Fellowship will examine factors that contribute to depression and other behavioural symptoms in people with Alzheimer's type dementia. These symptoms are common and difficult to treat so it is extremely important that we gain a better understanding of why they develop and look at ways to prevent their occurrence. The study will also test a simple, safe and novel intervention aimed at altering the biases we have in our thought processes that may underlie the development of these symptoms.