Reduction Of Chronic Post-surgical Pain With Ketamine - ROCKet Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,823,395.00
Summary
Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is a common complication of major surgery, and a significant burden on quality of life and ongoing health costs. Ketamine is a drug used by anaesthetists to treat severe acute surgical pain. Various small studies suggest that it may be unique in its ability to reduce the risk of CPSP. We propose a large trial of ketamine during & after anaesthesia for major surgery to test this. Demonstration of effectiveness would promote widespread change in clinical practice.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the leading causes of chronic pain both world-wide and in Australia for which there is a lack of treatments. Chronic pain arises from nerve fibres in the colon wall, which fail to 'reset' back to normal following inflammation. Targeting these nerve endings with drugs is a key advance in IBS treatment. This project will identify selective oxytocin analogues that act in the colon to lower pain in sensory nerves thus providing efficacious pain relief in IBS.
The Communication Of Acute Postoperative Pain (CAPP):the Clinically Significant Meanings Behind Numerical Pain Ratings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$93,742.00
Summary
Between 45% – 80% of patients still have moderate to severe pain after surgery and receive less than 50% of the pain medications available. Using a 0 – 10 pain rating can contribute to this problem because there is no consistent understanding about what the numbers mean or how they should guide pain management decisions. The project aim is to develop a standard approach to using a numerical pain rating to assist patients to report the severity of their pain in ways that assists clinicians to dec ....Between 45% – 80% of patients still have moderate to severe pain after surgery and receive less than 50% of the pain medications available. Using a 0 – 10 pain rating can contribute to this problem because there is no consistent understanding about what the numbers mean or how they should guide pain management decisions. The project aim is to develop a standard approach to using a numerical pain rating to assist patients to report the severity of their pain in ways that assists clinicians to decide the best pain management.Read moreRead less
Pain Systems Analysis Highlights PI3K Gamma As A Candidate Regulator Of Nociception.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,810.00
Summary
Chronic pain will affect most of us at one point in our life, and there is a need for new drugs to manage this condition. The goal of this project is to use our computer modeling of genetic data from multiple species to predict new drug targets, and then use mouse models to look at the mechanism of action for predicted drug targets, and validate one potential drug target in particular for its therapeutic abilities to stop chronic pain.
The human genome project was a major advance, allowing for molecular foothold towards an understanding of human diseases. The question now is “what do these genes do, and how do they participate in human disease?” In my lab we are focused on this issue. We use whole genome, functional in vivo screening in the fruit fly to identify novel conserved disease genes, then we use human genetics data to focus on medically relevant candidates, finally we use knockout mice to functionally validate these n ....The human genome project was a major advance, allowing for molecular foothold towards an understanding of human diseases. The question now is “what do these genes do, and how do they participate in human disease?” In my lab we are focused on this issue. We use whole genome, functional in vivo screening in the fruit fly to identify novel conserved disease genes, then we use human genetics data to focus on medically relevant candidates, finally we use knockout mice to functionally validate these new genesRead moreRead less
Determining The Pathomechanics Of Muscle Weakness In Older Individuals With Toe Deformities In Order To Develop Evidence-based Intervention Strategies To Restore Foot Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,251.00
Summary
Hallux valgus and lesser toe deformities are highly prevalent foot problems in older people that can cause foot disfigurement, physical discomfort, and increase the risk of falling. This study will investigate how toe muscle weakness is affected by these toe deformities as the basis upon which to develop interventions that can restore foot function in older individuals, in order to reduce falls risk, foot pain and, in turn, improve independence and quality of life throughout ageing.
Rational Development Of Novel Analgesics For The Treatment Of Chronic Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$595,945.00
Summary
Chronic pain is a major global health problem that currently affects over three million Australians. There are few drugs available for treatment of chronic pain and most have significant side-effects. Individuals lacking a particular type of ion channel known as Nav1.7 are completely insensitive to pain, but are otherwise normal. Block of this channel therefore appears to be an ideal avenue for pain relief. This project aims to produce selective Nav1.7 blockers that can be used as analgesics for ....Chronic pain is a major global health problem that currently affects over three million Australians. There are few drugs available for treatment of chronic pain and most have significant side-effects. Individuals lacking a particular type of ion channel known as Nav1.7 are completely insensitive to pain, but are otherwise normal. Block of this channel therefore appears to be an ideal avenue for pain relief. This project aims to produce selective Nav1.7 blockers that can be used as analgesics for treating chronic pain.Read moreRead less
Heavy Cannabis Use In Two Remote Aboriginal Communities: Prospects For A Population Based Intervention.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$301,814.00
Summary
The proposed study is a combined intervention and summative evaluation with two parallel strands. We proposed to develop, deliver and evaluate an educational instrument targeting the use of cannabis amongst Aboriginal people living in remote communities in the Northern Territory. Additionally we proposed to describe and model harmful behaviours and effects of substance misuse with a focus on cannabis and to explore in some detail Aboriginal cultural knowledge and attitudes towards harm and harmf ....The proposed study is a combined intervention and summative evaluation with two parallel strands. We proposed to develop, deliver and evaluate an educational instrument targeting the use of cannabis amongst Aboriginal people living in remote communities in the Northern Territory. Additionally we proposed to describe and model harmful behaviours and effects of substance misuse with a focus on cannabis and to explore in some detail Aboriginal cultural knowledge and attitudes towards harm and harmful behaviours related to substance misuse using self-reported estimates and life histories.Read moreRead less
What Can We Learn About Cannabis Vaping Through The Internet?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$61,192.00
Summary
More research is required to address the growing popularity of vaping as a novel method of delivering cannabis in order to minimise harm to mental health, especially in adolescents. This project will examine: 1) the latest trends in cannabis vaping, 2) cannabis vaping communications using data from online cryptomarkets, videos, and social media platforms. The knowledge generated can inform debate and future policies around cannabis use, which is timely and highly controversial in Australia.
The Impact Of Breast Density Notification In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Breast density is an independent risk factor for breast cancer and it increases the risk of having a cancer missed during screening. Notifying women about their breast density has been endorsed as a way to combat this risk. However, the evidence to support breast density notification and recommendations for supplemental screening in the general population of women is far from clear. This research will provide critical new evidence to ensure that Australian women receive evidence-based care.