A Network Of Sites And ‘up-skilled’ Therapists To Deliver Best Practice Stroke Rehabilitation Of The Upper Limb.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$955,910.00
Summary
We aim, through our partnership, to bring better therapy to more stroke survivors. Effective therapies are available to improve hand function but survivors are not currently receiving these. We will systematically address this evidence-practice gap using knowledge-transfer methods to up-skill therapists and change practice behaviours. A network of sites and up-skilled therapists will deliver this therapy and sustain change. A template will guide future translational activities.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Phenotypes And Treatment In Quadriplegia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$599,635.00
Summary
Losing function in your arms and legs after an injury (quadriplegia) is a catastrophic event. Quadriplegia also results in obstructive sleep apnoea; a condition where the throat closes repeatedly while asleep causing sleepiness, poor concentration and cardiovascular diseases like stroke. Despite most people with quadriplegia having this disease, the cause is unknown. This project will thoroughly investigate obstructive sleep apnoea causes in people with quadriplegia and test a possible treatment
Advancement Of A Personalised Approach To Minimising Infective Complications In Cancer Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$265,138.00
Summary
Managing infections in patients with cancer have become more difficult and unpredictable because of new generation cancer therapies. Measuring the response of the immune system (immune profiling) will allow us to predict which patients will develop infection so that action such as vaccination can be taken to reduce their risk. This program will refine immune profiling to personalise infection care for cancer patients and to introduce it into hospital practice.
Signaling Pathways To Enhance Potency Of AMPK-targeting Drugs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$661,966.00
Summary
Sedentary lifestyles and consumption of high energy foods has led to epidemics of obesity-related metabolic diseases that place enormous financial and medical burden on the Australian economy. An attractive drug target to treat these diseases is AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) which functions as both a cellular fuel gauge and co-ordinator of whole-body metabolism. Our goal is to improve AMPK drug potency by identifying novel processes that sensitize AMPK to drugs.
UTILITY OF NOVEL BIOMARKERS IN THE PREDICTION OF MAJOR COMPLICATIONS OF TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,639.00
Summary
Diabetes is increasingly common. It can cause a variety of complications, the most serious being heart and kidney disease. The reasons why some patients develop such complications are not fully understood so it is difficult to predict who will be affected. The current project will use samples from a large international study of patients with diabetes to assess whether levels of specific markers in the blood help to predict major complications and clarify why they occur.
Effects Of Replacement And Withdrawal Of Testosterone In Human Males On Muscle, Bone And Fat
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$156,682.00
Summary
Male sex hormone or androgen deficiency (AD) is a common, but under-diagnosed condition. AD decreases well being and contributes to muscle weakness, bone fragility and weight gain. Cutting edge technology will be used to help explain how AD may relate to these negative effects, particularly on muscle function. Given the importance of aging, frailty, osteoporosis and obesity, understanding the role of hormones in these conditions may have major implications for prevention and treatment.
Do Exposures Before Conception Influence The Risk Of Asthma In Offspring?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,586.00
Summary
Asthma and poor lung function are major causes of public health issues. Emerging evidence suggests adverse exposures even before the conception of a child may cause these conditions. The proposed project is part of an international study across generations to identify these factors. This study will provide novel evidence to guide interventions and identify studies to advance this area further. These original findings will be of great importance both nationally and internationally.
Clinical Trial Of A Suprachoroidal Visual Prosthesis For The Profoundly Vision Impaired
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,098,802.00
Summary
For 15 years we have been designing a bionic eye. We have made a device called the Phoenix99 and shown in short term animal tests that it is both safe to implant but also that it potentially performs better than any other device in the world. We are requesting funds to complete longer term animal testing of the device and then commence a small human clinical trial to demonstrate the benefits of the technology – specifically that it is able to help blind people navigate without assistance.
Functional Electrical Stimulation Assisted Cycling (eStimCycle):A Novel Intervention To Improve Outcomes In The Critically Ill
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$868,811.00
Summary
The legacy of critical illness leaves millions of survivors worldwide with long lasting deficits in physical and brain function as well as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Early rehabilitation may prevent or minimise these effects. This study evaluates the effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation of muscles with assisted in-bed cycling (eStimCycle) on muscle bulk, strength, physical and brain function at hospital discharge, 6 and 12 months.
M-PreM Study: Reproductive Factors, From Menarche To Pre-menopause, And The Risk Of Cardiometabolic And Respiratory Conditions Before Menopause
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,366,831.00
Summary
This study will investigate links between reproductive factors and body size of premenopausal women with their risk of major chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and asthma. It builds on two decades of survey data from Australia’s flagship study of women’s health with a new biomedical assessment. Findings will guide the use of indicators of women’s reproductive health as a trigger for early and targeted approaches for chronic disease prevention.