FUNCTIONAL IMAGING OF THE BRAINSTEM AND CORTICAL SITES OF BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL IN HUMAN SUBJECTS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$398,498.00
Summary
Disturbances in cardiovascular control underpin many diseases yet little is known about how the brain controls the heart and blood vessels. This project uses brain imaging (fMRI) and concurrent nerve recording in awake human subjects to increase our understanding of how normal blood pressure is maintained and how different disease states influence this control.
Biomechanical, Neural And Sensory Phenotyping Of The Upper Airway In Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$746,138.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common disorder where the upper airway closes repeatedly during sleep. It results in daytime sleepiness, increased risk of accidents and cardiovascular disease. But not all patients are the same, and individually tailored treatments are needed. This project will develop new ways to identify the causes of OSA in individual patients, using new MRI imaging methods, sensory testing, and measurements of the neural activity in the muscles that keep the airway open.
Elucidating The Role And Potential For Therapeutic Targeting Of TLR7 In Emphysema And COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$925,780.00
Summary
Emphysema is a major cause of illness and death and there are no effective treatments. It is caused by smoking that damages the airways and air sacs but how this occurs is not well understood. We have found that a new factor, called Toll-like receptor 7, is involved in emphysema. In this study we will now characterise its roles in this disease, work out how it induces emphysema and test new inhibitors (antibodies) that we have developed as treatments.
Predicting Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Using 3D Craniofacial Photography
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,715.00
Summary
Sleep Apnoea is a common medical condition associated with snoring and collapse of the throat during sleep. Diagnosis of sleep apnoea involves an overnight sleep study in a specialised laboratory, which is expensive and time consuming. It is possible that sleep apnea could be diagnosed from a 3-dimensional photograph of the face. This study will define the relationships between sleep apnea and 3D face photographs in 956 young adults and 1,200 of their parents, and 3,000 sleep clinic patients.
Predicting The Successful Resolution Of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Following Weight-loss Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$729,284.00
Summary
The current project aims to determine how obesity causes obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a disorder associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity & mortality. This research is a burgeoning area given that obesity is one of the western world’s leading health care concerns. Our findings may ultimately offer a refinement of weight-loss interventions to maximise their effects on OSA as well as offering novel treatment strategies in the management of this disorder that is desperately needed.
Studies On The Effects Of Endogenous And Exogenous Opioids In Modulating Exercise-induced Dyspnoea In People With Moderate / Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Two Double-blind Randomised, Placebo Controlled Trials.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$197,086.00
Summary
There is evidence that morphine-like chemicals made by the body itself help reduce breathlessness. It is not clear whether this response is because of the effects of these morphine-like chemicals on the brain, in the lung or both. This study will help understand where these chemicals act to reduce breathlessness in people with emphysema during exercise. Subsequently, it will also help to understand whether small, regular doses of morphine safely further reduce breathlessness during exercise.
Evaluating The Effect Of Morphine On Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$534,303.00
Summary
Prescription opiate poisoning deaths have increased substantially in recent years which may be worsened by population increases in obesity and related obstructive sleep apnea. However, no proper clinical trial has ever investigated the effect of an opiate on obstructive sleep apnea, which is the aim of the proposed trial. The study will be important in understanding ways to reduce opiate realted deaths and may also provide insights into new treatment methods for snoring and sleep apnea.
A Novel Optical Stimulation Method For Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,913.00
Summary
This project aims to develop and characterize a novel optogenetic pharyngeal stimulation system to dilate the upper airway using a light stimulus. This will provide proof-of-concept for a new minimally invasive treatment option for obstructive sleep apnoea.
Enhancing Innate Immune Responses To Influenza In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,323.00
Summary
Infection with influenza is a serious health problem for all, but particularly those with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current treatments are limited. We have previously shown that human COPD airway cells are more susceptible to infection with influenza and the virus is able to effectively block the early immune response. We propose to define the mechanism that underlie this and design novel inhibitors to enhance the early immune response of these c ....Infection with influenza is a serious health problem for all, but particularly those with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current treatments are limited. We have previously shown that human COPD airway cells are more susceptible to infection with influenza and the virus is able to effectively block the early immune response. We propose to define the mechanism that underlie this and design novel inhibitors to enhance the early immune response of these cells and reduce the effects of infection.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Role Of Th22 Cells In Regulating Respiratory Immune Responses In Health And Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$870,476.00
Summary
T cells that produce the cytokine IL-22 (Th22 cells) are found in infectious and inflammatory lung disease. However, the role of Th22 cells in promoting or preventing disease remains largely unknown. We have discovered how to grow Th22 cells and have generated a unique strain of IL-22 reporter mice, which will allow us to identify their role in infectious and inflammatory diseases. Our investigations will provide new insights into therapeutic approaches for these diseases of the lung.