I am a practising hospital neurologist and world leader in the prevention and treatment of stroke. Our research aims to realise exciting new break-throughs for stroke sufferers by testing the effectiveness and safety of new treatments that promise to improve recovery of function of damaged brain and reduce disability after stroke, and to prevent recurrent strokes.
Healthy Living After Stroke: An Online Intervention For Improving Stroke Survivor Health Behaviours And Quality Of Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,958.00
Summary
This study will test whether an online healthy lifestyles program helps survivors of stroke to live healthier lives, improve their quality of life and prevent a second stroke.
Australian Stroke Genetics Collaborative - Genome-wide Association Study In Ischaemic Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,141,037.00
Summary
The majority of stroke is caused by atherothrombosis, the formation of blood clots in brain blood vessels. Numerous genes are linked to atherothrombosis, but many studies examined genetic influences in isolation from environmental risk factors. We will examine the relevance of genetic variations linked to atherothrombosis, in the context of environmental risk factors. By determining the contribution of genetic and environmental factors in stroke, we will develop a stroke risk assessment tool.
TRIP Fellowship: Bridging The Evidence Practice Gap In Secondary Prevention In Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$146,247.00
Summary
Various medications have been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent vascular disease after stroke. This study aims to improve the frequency of use of these medications in patients discharged from hospital after a stroke.
My work focuses on the prevention of vascular disease. A major aim of mine is to improve outcome after stroke. We can test this by assessing whether individualised management plans provided to people with stroke will improve risk factors. Proper risk factor management reduces the risk of stroke recurrence. I also aim to reduce the burden of vascular disease in disadvantaged settings by finding out what risk factors are important in the development of these diseases in people living in poverty.
Stroke is a devastating disease affecting 50,000 Australians and over 5 million people globally every year. The overall aims are to develop better knowledge, better tools and more effective strategies to treat and prevent stroke. Projects include discovery of new genetic stroke risk factors, better management of recognised risk factors, trials of treatment strategies for acute stroke, and the investigation of strategies for more effective implementation of treatments.
Developing And Implementing Proven Treatments And Systems Of Care In Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$873,684.00
Summary
This fellowship will allow me to continue undertaking large-scale, multicentre, national and international, randomised controlled trials and population-based epidemiological studies focussed on the prevention and managment of acute stroke and other aspects of cardiovascular disease related to ageing populations. Much of my research is focussed on research and health policy of populations in Asia, particularly China, where i have had a sustained program of collaborative research over 10 years.
IMPROVING STROKE OUTCOMES: NEW TARGETS AND THERAPIES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,212,064.00
Summary
Previously we established a unique collaboration of researchers from the basic and clinical sciences.. The main aim of this ' vertically integrated ' model was to develop new therapies to improve stroke outcomes. We developed a system to identify ' off-the-shelf ' compounds which protect the brain after stroke onset. This involves data assimilation (meta-analysis) in a unique way, an approach which has attracted attention internationally. We are also completing an important clinical trial using ....Previously we established a unique collaboration of researchers from the basic and clinical sciences.. The main aim of this ' vertically integrated ' model was to develop new therapies to improve stroke outcomes. We developed a system to identify ' off-the-shelf ' compounds which protect the brain after stroke onset. This involves data assimilation (meta-analysis) in a unique way, an approach which has attracted attention internationally. We are also completing an important clinical trial using the clot dissolving agent tPA to extend the time during which the drug may be effective beyond the three-hours currently used. In the next phase of our program we plan to expand the basic science component to identify parts of brain cells (axons and dendrites) which may yield important information about new drugs to protect the brain. We will use our novel summary data technique to test drugs in animal models more appropriate to the human stroke paradigm than have been used in the past In clinical studies we will follow our theme of identifying new targets for therapy using sophisticated PET and MRI imaging techniques, both in patients who are at great risk of stroke recurrence after a minor warning stroke and those with stroke caused by bleeding within the brain. These studies will provide information about predictors of recurrent and worsening stroke which may be modified by new therapies. The final stage in identifying new therapies is the Phase III clinical trial. We will complete one of these in which the most appropriate drug preventing further strokes in a major new stroke subtype will be identified. Toward the end of the program, we will commence phase 3 studies of drugs we have selected as being most likely to protect the brain based on our animal experiments. The main benefit of this unique collaborative research model is to efficiently identify new therapies to reduce the burden of stroke, currently the second most common cause of death globally.Read moreRead less