Centre Of Research Excellence In Asthma Treatable Traits (CREATT)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
This CRE will focus on personalised medicine in asthma, specifically using the treatable traits approach. We have identified disease management areas of highest importance to people with asthma and health care providers. We will generate new knowledge, develop and strengthen collaborations and train translation focused researchers to develop high quality evidence and translate this to practice.
While there are numerous therapies for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), therapy for progressive MS remains elusive. This project will evaluate the effect of various therapies on the accumulation of irreversible disability in progressive MS. In addition, it will examine the effect of switching between therapies on MS activity. Finally, the project will indicate whether demographic and clinical information can be used as a predictor of individual patient response to MS therapies.
Precision Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis: Maximising The Effect Of Immunomodulatory Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$537,272.00
Summary
Response to therapy varies greatly among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The current lack of individualised MS therapy may lead to suboptimal MS management and accumulation of preventable disability. We will use MSBase, a large international MS cohort, to evaluate the effect of different treatment strategies and of highly effective and novel therapies. Identifying the patients who will benefit from these therapies, we will provide the key evidence for individualised MS management.
Analysis Of HIV Virologic Response-rebound Data: Prognostic Indicators Of Post-HAART Viral Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$144,000.00
Summary
The introduction of potent anti-retroviral therapy into standard clinical management of HIV infected individuals has been associated with high rates of reduction in plasma viral loads over short periods of time. However, there remains considerable variation in the degree of longer-term viral control as a result of viral resistance, toxicity, timing of treatment initiation and choice of drug regimen. In particular, the most appropriate time to initiate treatment remains clouded, with the need to ....The introduction of potent anti-retroviral therapy into standard clinical management of HIV infected individuals has been associated with high rates of reduction in plasma viral loads over short periods of time. However, there remains considerable variation in the degree of longer-term viral control as a result of viral resistance, toxicity, timing of treatment initiation and choice of drug regimen. In particular, the most appropriate time to initiate treatment remains clouded, with the need to initiate treatment sufficiently early in order to avoid irreversible damage balanced by the problems of potential viral resistance or toxicity if started too soon. Determination of factors which will assist practitioners to optimise the timing of treatment initiation remains a high priority. Our aim in this project is to develop and study the use of novel statistical mixed-effects models designed to analyse factors associated with visit-time viral load data following commencement of therapy, taking account of the entire follow-up profiles of responses over time. The project involves both theoretical and empirical analyses of the estimation and inferential properties of the mixed-model method in conjunction with comprehensive analyses of prognostic factors associated with post-treatment virologic control in patients from the Western Australian HIV Cohort Study. These include demographic, virologic, immunologic, adherence and host genetic factors. The statistical methods developed will have wide applicability and add significantly to the suite of procedures available for the analysis of longitudinal response data.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of Mindfulness Meditation, Cognitive Therapy, And Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy For Low Back Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Up to 80% of Australians experience back pain and 10% have significant disability as a result. There is a critical need for the development and evaluation of innovative treatments that have the capacity to target the multidimensional nature of CLBP. This study will compare the effects and mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation, Cognitive Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for CLBP. Results will ultimately lead to streamlined interventions designed to efficiently maximise benefit.
Fenofibrate In The Management Of AbdoMinal Aortic AnEurysm (FAME)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,713.00
Summary
Approximately 5% of men and 1% of women aged over 60 years develop weakening of the main abdominal artery. Currently the management of artery weakening is focused on surgery with no effective medications available. In this study we will assess whether a drug which limits artery weakening in pre-clinical testing also shows evidence of inhibiting processes important in artery damage in patients. We believe this is a critical next step in the assessment of a promising new treatment.
Mechanisms, Biomarkers And New Therapies For Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$551,370.00
Summary
Approximately 5% of men and 1% of women aged over 60 years develop artery weakening. The management of artery weakening is currently focused on radiological imaging and surgery. In this fellowship work will be performed to better understand the mechanisms involved in artery weakening, assess new ways of monitoring disease progression and evaluate new medical therapies. It is envisaged that the work will identify a number of new management stratergies for this common condition.