BRIDGET: BRain Imaging, Cognition, Dementia And Next Generation GEnomics: A Transdisciplinary Approach To Search For Risk And Protective Factors Of Neurodegenerative Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,081,489.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) begins many years before diagnosis and yet its aetiology is still poorly understood. The BRIDGET consortium aims to identify genetic variants that are associated with structural brain ageing, cognitive performance, and dementia risk in richly phenotyped international and Australian population-based samples. This work aims to provide crucial information on the molecular pathways leading to AD, potentially leading to improved health outcomes for our ageing population.
Comprehensive Risk Prediction Models And Presymptomatic Biomarkers For Dementia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,144.00
Summary
Extensive information on a large population of over 15,000 older Australians will be used to determine more precisely which factors increase or reduce the risk of developing dementia, and thus will provide valuable information on how to reduce the number of Australians with dementia. In parallel, this research will identify new ways to accurately diagnose dementia at an earlier stage, even before symptoms appear.
Improving Mental Health And Social Participation Outcomes In Older Adults With Depression And Anxiety
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$791,581.00
Summary
This study will evaluate a comprehensive treatment program for older adults who are suffering depression and anxiety. We expect that this new treatment program will be more powerful than standard cognitive behavioural therapy. Through this treatment we will increase social participation and quality of life and reduce depression and anxiety in older Australians.
Identifying Novel Lipid And Genetic Signatures Of Metabolic Disease In Early Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,592.00
Summary
Both our genetic makeup and environment can contribute to the development of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Although onset usually occurs in adulthood, the progression towards disease can start in early life. Early childhood represents an opportunity for intervention to avoid adverse health outcomes in adulthood. This proposal combines two established birth cohorts from Singapore (GUSTO) and Australia (BIS) to examine the genetic and environmental origins of metabolic diseases.
Sleep-wake Disturbances And Cardio-metabolic Dysfunction In At Risk Dementia: A Novel Pathway In Neurocognitive Decline’
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,305.00
Summary
Age-related sleep and circadian disturbance and cardio-metabolic dysfunction are associated with an increased risk of dementia. This research aims to delineate the pathway in which sleep and circadian disturbances and cardio-metabolic dysfunction promote cognitive decline during the ‘at risk’ dementia phase. This will improve our understanding of key processes in cognitive ageing ultimately leading to the development of targeted intervention programs in the quest to delay the onset of dementia.
Novel Assessment And Intervention For Dementia: An Inter-disciplinary Translational Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,021.00
Summary
This program of research focuses on i) a highly novel internationally competitive program of work focusing on the neural network correlates of sleep in dementia, sleep as a risk factor and the efficacy of sleep-wake interventions in reducing cognitive decline; ii) Innovative technologies for widespread screening of preclinical dementia and early intervention and iii) clinical trials focused on the testing of a of novel, highly translatable dementia risk reduction interventions.
Genetic Biomarkers And Molecular Pathways For Migraine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$273,988.00
Summary
Common migraine, is a frequent, debilitating and painful disorder that affects people during their most productive years (up to 25% of women and 8% of men). Our recent results indicate the presence of multiple genetic factors contributing towards migraine susceptibility. Utilising detailed migraine symptom and medication data, larger numbers of migraine cases and controls, and applying the latest genotyping and imputation technologies, we will identify novel genetic biomarkers and molecular path ....Common migraine, is a frequent, debilitating and painful disorder that affects people during their most productive years (up to 25% of women and 8% of men). Our recent results indicate the presence of multiple genetic factors contributing towards migraine susceptibility. Utilising detailed migraine symptom and medication data, larger numbers of migraine cases and controls, and applying the latest genotyping and imputation technologies, we will identify novel genetic biomarkers and molecular pathways for migraine.Read moreRead less
This project will investigate the causes of respiratory disease and poor lung function across the life course. Using existing lung health data from Australia and Europe, we will determine which behavioral, environmental, occupational, nutritional, other modifiable lifestyle, or genetic factors play a role in lung health. This research will enable the development of a personalised risk predictor application for implementation with patients and health care providers as well as the general public.
Multidimensional Assessment Of The Health Impacts Of Infrasound: Two Randomised Controlled Trials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,943,934.00
Summary
The human health impact of infrasound that comes from wind turbines has not been well researched. We will assemble a team of researchers with a broad range of expertise to run a short term and longer term study to investigate whether exposure to infrasound causes health problems. The short term study will be lab based and run for three one week periods and the longer term study will be community based and run for six months. Sleep quality, balance, mood, cardiovascular health will be measured.
Indigenous Network Suicide Intervention Skills Training (INSIST): Can A Community Designed And Delivered Framework Reduce Suicide/self-harm In Indigenous Youth?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$828,215.00
Summary
Queensland has the highest rates of youth suicide in Australia. Indigenous youth suicide rates are reported at twice the rate of Queensland’s total population for 15 to 44 years. Statistical data on urban-rural differences in Australia have only been available since 1986 (ABS, 1994). Although the number of suicides is far greater in urban areas (1,299 suicides aged 10–24 years in metropolitan areas versus 311 in towns with populations less than 4,000), rural demonstrate greater suicide rates per