Disrupted Neurosteroid Synthesis Mediates The Adverse Effects Of Prenatal Stress
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$695,973.00
Summary
Maternal anxiety and related stress in pregnancy influences the fetus causing developmental changes that adversely affect the offspring leading to behavioural problems in childhood. However, mechanisms which transfer maternal changes to the fetus are unclear. We propose that disruption of the fetal-placental neurosteroid system is a major link. We will identify the deficits in this system caused by maternal stress and then examine therapies to reverse these disruptions.
Improving Maternal And Infant Outcomes: A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial Of Midwifery And Dental Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,724.00
Summary
Poor oral health during pregnancy can impact the health of the mother and baby. Yet, many expectant mothers are unaware of the implications of poor oral health. In Australia there is a lack of importance being placed on maternal oral health. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a new service which will promote maternal oral health through collaboration between midwives and dentists. We expect the new service will improve women's oral health, uptake of dental services and po ....Poor oral health during pregnancy can impact the health of the mother and baby. Yet, many expectant mothers are unaware of the implications of poor oral health. In Australia there is a lack of importance being placed on maternal oral health. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a new service which will promote maternal oral health through collaboration between midwives and dentists. We expect the new service will improve women's oral health, uptake of dental services and potentially improve pregnancy outcomes.Read moreRead less
Community-wide Active Case Finding For Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,422,325.00
Summary
During 2010, 8.8 million people developed TB and 1.45 million people died due to the disease. In this project, which will be conducted in Vietnam, one of the countries in our region with a particularly high prevalence of TB, we will test a new form of an old intervention: community-wide screening for TB, not with x-rays but by testing sputum. If the project is successful it has the potential to lead to a giant leap forward towards the elimination of TB as a global health problem.
A Transmission-Blocking Vaccine To Prevent Toxoplasmosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$850,225.00
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii causes a globally important zoonotic disease. It is transmitted by cats, and finds its way into our food chain via infected meat and contaminated water. We have used a unique functional genomics pipeline to discover proteins crucial for reproduction of Toxoplasma in the cat. We will now test combinations of these proteins to immunise cats and prove that we can develop a vaccine that blocks transmission of this highly significant parasitic disease.
Defining The Molecular Effectors Of Gene/environment Interaction On Mouse Heart Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$749,271.00
Summary
One third of all birth defects involve the heart, and are the most common cause of infant death. Some defects are due to genetic factors, but others arise when the pregnant mother is exposed to environmental stress. We will examine how one stress (low oxygen levels) causes abnormal heart formation in the embryo, look at what causes this at a molecular level, and explore if such stress increases the risk of heart defects in families with a history of such abnormalities
Group A Streptococcal Human Challenge Study: Accelerating Vaccine Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,018,741.00
Summary
Infection with group A streptococcus (GAS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, including in the Aboriginal population of Australia. Concerted efforts for vaccine development have been hampered by the absence of a suitable animal model. To address this critical knowledge gap we propose to develop a controlled human infection model of GAS infection. This model will provide a direct pathway for the future appraisal of novel GAS vaccines.
How Does Paternal Obesity Influence Offspring Glucose Tolerance?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$503,398.00
Summary
Obesity and diabetes are closely related to these conditions in either parent, but how the father contributes is unclear. We have shown that normal females mated with obese fathers consuming high fat diet, produce offspring who develop glucose intolerance and impaired insulin secretion. This work will examine the mechanisms underlying this effect in the rat, testing a novel role for environmental factors in the father on disease in offspring that may be relevant to the growing obesity epidemic.
Understanding Sphingolipid Mediators Of Insulin Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,447.00
Summary
Sphingolipids are a class of lipid metabolites that have a variety of functions within cells. It has been known for some time that an accumulation of excess lipid, including certain sphingolipids, can adversely impact insulin action and glucose metabolism in cells. In this project we will a combination of strategies to test the hypothesis that the sphingolipid profile can be manipulated to have favourable effects on metabolism.
Developmental Schizotypy In The General Population: Early Risk Factors And Predictive Utility.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$830,952.00
Summary
This study will determine early childhood risk factors for psychosis-proneness in children aged 11 years, and emerging signs and symptoms of mental health disorders of these children, using population data from the NSW Child Development Study. Determining risk for psychosis as early as possible in the life course will enable the provision of preventative interventions to children at critical points in development.
Motor problems, ranging from clumsiness to cerebral palsy, are one of the most common adverse outcomes in children born early. This study will investigate the motor development of children born <30 weeks’ gestation compared with peers born at term from birth to 5 years. We will determine whether early clinical evaluations or neuroimaging in the newborn period can predict later motor impairment at 5 years to be able to identify those who will benefit most from early intervention.