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.
Early Life Influences On Child And Adolescent Mental Health Problems
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,564.00
Summary
Many children experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, causing emotional pain for families and a huge economic cost for society. I aim to prevent these problems before they start. By identifying influences in a pregnant woman’s environment that might lead to mental health problems in her child, such as stress, fertility problems and environmental dangers, we can target these influences early and build positive mental health for children right from the very start of life.
The Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance Of Parental Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$362,431.00
Summary
The current global epidemic of obesity and diabetes has partly been fuelled by the propagation of these diseases from parent to child across multiple generations. Successful completion of this study will provide hard evidence that there is an inborn but non-genetic component to the risk of obesity and provide insights into the mechanisms by which that risk is created and transmitted from both the mother and the father to the child.
Mechanisms Of Abnormal Expression Of The IGF2 Gene In Disorders Affectin Foetal Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,872.00
Summary
The IGF2 gene is crucial for foetal growth. Only the copy inherited from the father is active, a phenomenon named parental imprinting. In some children with foetal overgrowth or growth retardation, the deregulation of imprinting of the IGF2 gene during the first days of foetal development will influence subsequent growth and will also have major implications in post-natal and adult life. We will investigate the mechanisms resulting in abnormal imprinting of IGF2 early in development.
Epigenetic And Neurobehavioural Changes In A New Mouse Model Of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$949,466.00
Summary
Prenatal alcohol exposure can result in foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) which involves growth restriction, changes to skull morphology, central nervous system defects and intellectual disabilities. At present, diagnosis is difficult and under-reporting is suspected. We are using a mouse model to study the underlying causes of FAS, focussing on changes in brain structure and function. Hopefully we will identify markers that can be used for the early diagnosis of FAS in the future.
Early Nutrition, Epigenetics And Developmental Outcomes In Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,093.00
Summary
Increasing evidence demonstrates that early nutrition, including in pregnancy, has long lasting programming effects on later health of children. Evidence implicates epigenetics (literally ‘above DNA’) in mediating these effects. The most convincing data exists for obesity and related disorders such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and heart disease. The focus of this project is on understanding how ‘epigenetic’ mechanisms are influencing the way our genes function to cause these disorders.
MECHANISMS OF ABNORMAL EXPRESSION OF THE IGF2 GENE IN DISORDERS AFFECTING FOETAL GROWTH
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,434.00
Summary
The IGF2 gene is crucial for foetal growth. Only the copy inherited from the father is active, a phenomenon named parental imprinting. In some children with foetal overgrowth or growth retardation, the deregulation of imprinting of the IGF2 gene during the first days of foetal development will influence subsequent growth and will also have major implications in post-natal and adult life. We will investigate the mechanisms resulting in abnormal imprinting of the IGF2 early in development.
In the last ten years, a remarkable series of public health studies have shown that reduced birth weight is associated with an increased prevalence of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, diabetes and obesity in adult life. These associations are independent of adult lifestyle or current size, are dependent on events initiated prenatally and are present in cohorts which have a birth weight distribution typical of urban and rural Australia. In all societies, the incidence of low birth wei ....In the last ten years, a remarkable series of public health studies have shown that reduced birth weight is associated with an increased prevalence of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, diabetes and obesity in adult life. These associations are independent of adult lifestyle or current size, are dependent on events initiated prenatally and are present in cohorts which have a birth weight distribution typical of urban and rural Australia. In all societies, the incidence of low birth weight babies has remained above 5% and in some developing countries, it is greater than 30%. The hormonal responses which help the fetus survive periods of growth restriction in utero, result in a permanent reprogramming of the development of key fetal organs and tissues and the subsequent emergence of high blood pressure in later life. The fetal hormones which have been implicated in causing high blood pressure in adult life are known as glucocorticoids. Fetuses may be exposed to excess glucocorticoids through stress in the womb or through increased transfer of glucocorticoids across the placenta. Currently 85% of Australian obstetricians prescribe repeat courses of antenatal corticosteroids in pregnancies in which the risk of preterm birth persists or recurs. The specific long term outcomes of fetal exposure to excess glucocorticoids are unknown and may depend on the timing, route, dose and type of glucocorticoids involved. We propose to define the mechanisms by which high levels of glucocorticoids act to result in high blood pressure and hormonal disturbances in adult life.Read moreRead less
A significant proportion of Australian children are at health risk due to environmental metal exposure. It is suspected that exposure to metals during the prenatal period can result in permanent impairment. Human studies are, however, limited by lack of biomarkers that accurately measure exposure at specific times of intrauterine development. We are proposing to develop a novel method that utilizes human primary teeth to provide a direct measure of metal exposure during foetal development.
Improving Communication And Informed Decision Making In Prenatal Screening And Diagnostic Testing Among Women And Couples With Lower Education And Literacy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$329,115.00
Summary
It is widely accepted that women and couples should be given balanced information to help them make informed choices about undergoing tests to screen for, and diagnose, genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. Current information, however, requires high reading levels and is not suitable for low literacy groups. This research aims to develop and evaluate information to support women and couples with lower education and literacy in making informed choices about prenatal screening and testing.