Cognitive Impairments And Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms In Children With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Longitudinal Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$482,250.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury in children is common with more than 2000 new cases a year in Queensland and Victoria alone. Many children who experience a brain injury go on to have long-term difficulties such as significant educational and social problems. Post-traumatic stress occurs in children following traumatic physical injury. However it is not clear to what extent this is so for children who have received a traumatic brain injury. Furthermore, when there is a traumatic brain injury and traumatic ....Traumatic brain injury in children is common with more than 2000 new cases a year in Queensland and Victoria alone. Many children who experience a brain injury go on to have long-term difficulties such as significant educational and social problems. Post-traumatic stress occurs in children following traumatic physical injury. However it is not clear to what extent this is so for children who have received a traumatic brain injury. Furthermore, when there is a traumatic brain injury and traumatic stress, it is not clear how these interact, how they influence long-term outcomes, and what factors such as pre-injury functioning and family support and distress mediate outcomes. These issues are very important since effective rehabilitation of children following traumatic brain injury is essential to maximise long-term functioning and minimise disability. To be effective, rehabilitation must be guided by the knowledge about key factors that determine the recovery process. This study aims to provide answers to these questions by following two cohorts of children (aged 6-14) over 18 months after receiving a traumatic brain injury. In total 240 children will be recruited from Brisbane and Melbourne hospitals. They will be assessed at three, six, twelve and eighteen months post-injury using measures of cognitive, psychological and social functioning. Information on parent distress and behaviours will also be obtained. The information obtained will provide the basis for the development of a specific rehabilitation strategy for children with traumatic brain injury, including information on strategies to help prevent any confounding impact of post-traumatic stress on recovery.Read moreRead less
This study investigates how much an individual's genes and environment account for the wide variation in brain structure and function. Using brain imaging we examine in what way the connectivity of the brain of identical and non-identical twins is the same or different from that of their co-twin, and carry out analysis of their DNA to identify some of the genes involved. This will provide fundamental information on genetic mechanisms influencing variation in brain structure and function.
Prediction of fruit quality by non-invasive assessment, with special reference to avocado. The project aims to develop non-invasive rapid assessment techniques of avocado quality (dry matter percentage, oil content, susceptibility to rots) suitable for application in at-line, in-line and in-field settings using NIR spectroscopic methods. The development and introduction of these non-invasive technologies into the avocado industry will allow rapid low-cost testing to support existing quality con ....Prediction of fruit quality by non-invasive assessment, with special reference to avocado. The project aims to develop non-invasive rapid assessment techniques of avocado quality (dry matter percentage, oil content, susceptibility to rots) suitable for application in at-line, in-line and in-field settings using NIR spectroscopic methods. The development and introduction of these non-invasive technologies into the avocado industry will allow rapid low-cost testing to support existing quality control procedures. The technology has the potential to enhance the competitive advantage of Australian producers/processors by guaranteeing high quality and optimising shelf-life. The ability to deliver a differentiated product will maximise sales in existing markets and facilitate the targeting of new domestic and overseas markets.Read moreRead less
Functional Nano-cement Scaffolds For The Treatment Of Osteoporotic Bone Defects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Osteoporosis affects 1.2 million Australians and will cost $33.6 billion by 2022. This study aims to develop a novel nano-cement platform for custom-designed bone repair in osteoporosis, by using purpose-designed nanomaterials and advanced 3D printing technique. The research findings will lead to the development of a new bone repair strategy, expand knowledge on both biomaterials engineering and osteoporosis treatment, and improve the quality of life of Australians.
A Prospective Study Of Language Impairment And Recovery Following Surgery For Brain Tumours
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$861,342.00
Summary
This multi-site project will investigate the incidence and nature of post-operative language difficulties (aphasia) in patients following surgery for left hemisphere primary brain tumours. It will provide comprehensive data concerning risk factors for post-surgical aphasia in Australian patients, in addition to important information about the brain lesions responsible for its various clinical presentations. This information will be used to generate recommendations for clinical practice.
Normal And Abnormal Development Of Brain Wiring And Its Impact On Brain Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
My laboratory is striving to understand how the patterns of neuronal connections form in the developing brain and how these underpin the functions of the brain throughout life. We use high-field magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain wiring and we investigate the genetic and environmental mechanisms causing developmental brain disorders that result in intellectual disability, autism, epilepsy and some mental illnesses.
Uncovering The Neural Mechanisms Of Obsessive-compulsive Disorder Using Brain Modelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,628.00
Summary
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an incurable mental illness and current therapies only mitigate its symptoms for a portion of individuals. Thus, there is a need to identify the neural causes of OCD to develop personalised therapies. We will combine mathematical modelling, computer simulations, and clinical and neuroimaging data to develop the first model of OCD. Outcomes from this study will enable targeted OCD research and the discovery of brain mechanisms supporting treatment response.
Dopamine Neuron Ontogeny: Convergent Neurobiological Pathway For Risk Factors Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,214.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is associated with changes in dopamine (a signalling molecule in the brain). These changes are present prior to psychosis, suggesting they begin early in development. Our aims are to manipulate key factors in the development of brain dopamine systems to clarify their role in psychosis and schizophrenia. This work has the potential to identify early brain changes that lead to schizophrenia, which in turn may generate better diagnoses and outcomes for people with this disorder.
Centre For Research Excellence In Speech And Language Neurobiology (CRE-SLANG)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,491,340.00
Summary
Half a million Australian children have a speech/language disorder, tripling their changes of poor academic outcomes, limited employment options and social isolation. Current speech therapy is limited, focusing on symptoms and ignoring evidence on underlying aetiologies. By identifying and translating findings on new genes and brain pathways leading to speech and language disorders, we will transform detection, diagnosis, prognosis and genetic counselling of affected children and their families.
Establishing the role of heterotrimeric G-proteins in plant defence. Agriculture is an important economic activity in Australia that resulting in considerable export revenues. Agricultural losses caused by plant pathogens account for millions of dollars every year and have profound economic and social implications.
The proposed research will explore new approaches to increase plant resistance to pathogens using a previously unkown component of this network: G-proteins and could ultimately reduc ....Establishing the role of heterotrimeric G-proteins in plant defence. Agriculture is an important economic activity in Australia that resulting in considerable export revenues. Agricultural losses caused by plant pathogens account for millions of dollars every year and have profound economic and social implications.
The proposed research will explore new approaches to increase plant resistance to pathogens using a previously unkown component of this network: G-proteins and could ultimately reduce dependency on toxic chemical products.Read moreRead less