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Pharyngeal Wall Folding: Role In Upper Airway Collapsibility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$217,274.00
Summary
In obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) the throat closes during sleep. In order for the throat to close the surface of the throat has to fold. Mathematical models predict that the more folds present, the more stable a structure will be. This research will examine how folding of the airway surface of the throat is achieved in subjects with and without OSA. It will also develop ways of changing the folding patterns using bench, animal and human studies. This will result in new treatments for OSA.
The Role Of Arousal In The Pathogenesis Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea And Implications For Novel Therapeutic Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$297,888.00
Summary
This research forms part of a series of studies aimed at characterizing the relative importance of the various physiological causes (phenotypes) of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and has the potential to lead to individually tailored novel therapies according to these traits. Specifically, this proposed research will investigate the role of arousal from sleep (brief awakening) in OSA and explore methods of manipulating the arousal threshold as a new treatment approach for certain OSA patients.
Improving Outcomes In Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Through Individualised Treatment Of Physiological Abnormalities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,891.00
Summary
The most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea, continuous positive airway pressure, is only accepted by ~50% of patients. Individualised treatment options are urgently needed. In order to predict who will benefit from the common alternative therapies, my research will show how, upper airway surgery improves obstructive sleep apnoea at an individual level and develop tools that will help clinicians select patients for these therapies.
While many cases of asthma are mild, severe cases require extensive health care resources and are virtually unresponsive to conventional treatment. This project will investigate whether specific compounds released from the airway are able to cause lung damage and airway abnormalities similar to that in severe asthma. We will investigate whether these changes are responsive to conventional therapy and investigate a potential treatment for regaining this responsiveness in severe asthma.
The Early Life Origin Of Airway Smooth Muscle Thickening In Asthma Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$322,198.00
Summary
Previous studies have shown that fetal growth restriction (FGR) in the womb is associated with asthma in children; however the reason remains unknown. Thickening of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) is the primary structural abnormality in asthma. A model of FGR caused by low oxygen in the womb will be used to determine if associations between FGR and asthma involve an early life increase in ASM. That ASM may be increased from birth is a novel hypothesis which challenges conventional thinking.
Translation Of Abdominal Functional Electrical Stimulation From A Research Tool To Clinical Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
People with a spinal cord injury to the neck are often unable to move their arms and legs, a condition known as tetraplegia. Tetraplegics are also unable to use their abdominal muscles, reducing breathing and bowel function. This project will use electrical pulses to make their abdominal muscles contract, improving breathing and bowel function. The results will be used to develop a program that can be used in all hospitals, reducing illness in tetraplegia and saving the health service money.
Promoting Upper Limb Recovery After Stroke In People With Severe Paresis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,948.00
Summary
Stroke survivors with severe arm disability have poor potential for functional recovery. Yet, an incomplete understanding of indicators of good potential currently dictate clinical decisions concerning referral to rehabilitation and therapy provision. The proposed research aims to characterise the dynamic capacity of the severely damaged brain to recover. This research will provide the foundations for more personalized health care options and extend our understanding of this growing cohort.