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Investigating Role Of Insulin Resistance And Sympathetic Nervous System In Metabolic Features Of PCOS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,468.00
Summary
PCOS affects 9-18% of Australian reproductive aged women. Whilst reproductive features are prominent, PCOS has major psychological and metabolic consequences. Emerging data implicate the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in PCOS. The aim of this PhD is to investigate the role of the sympathetic nervous system in insulin resistance and other metabolic features of PCOS and determine whether modification of this system's activity will favorably influence the metabolic consequences assoc ....PCOS affects 9-18% of Australian reproductive aged women. Whilst reproductive features are prominent, PCOS has major psychological and metabolic consequences. Emerging data implicate the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in PCOS. The aim of this PhD is to investigate the role of the sympathetic nervous system in insulin resistance and other metabolic features of PCOS and determine whether modification of this system's activity will favorably influence the metabolic consequences associated with PCOS.Read moreRead less
Determinants And Impact Of Patient-Centred Health Outcomes In Psoriatic Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$84,069.00
Summary
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic joint disease which is linked with the skin condition called psoriasis. People who have psoriatic arthritis can develop deformities in their joints and suffer from decreased quality of life. Psoriatic arthritis can present in a wide range of ways, but the reasons for this are not understood. This research aims to explain some of this variation and to predict which patients will develop more severe disease so treatment can be targeted to improve their outcome.
Breastfeeding In Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Gestational Diabetes, And Pre-existing Diabetes: Hormonal Physiology, Breastmilk Composition, Epidemiology And Patient Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$132,743.00
Summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome and diabetes (pre-existing or gestational) are important conditions in pregnant women. I intend to explore (through major literature reviews and original research) how they influence the production and composition of breastmilk, how this differs from women without the conditions, and impacts on infant health. I also aim to examine reasons for lactation difficulties in these women, both from a hormonal (basic science) perspective and at a broader (population) level.
Cervical Auscultation In The Diagnosis Of Aspiration In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,183.00
Summary
Accurate assessment of aspiration risk is critical to prevent respiratory illness & recurrent hospitalisations in children.Current clinical tests have poor reliability in detecting aspiration.Cervical auscultation(CA) is a portable,low-cost instrumental technique that may improve the accuracy of clinical test.This research aims to determine accuracy & reliability of CA in detecting aspiration, compared to objective radiological evaluations.CA may improve aspiration detection & subsequently minim ....Accurate assessment of aspiration risk is critical to prevent respiratory illness & recurrent hospitalisations in children.Current clinical tests have poor reliability in detecting aspiration.Cervical auscultation(CA) is a portable,low-cost instrumental technique that may improve the accuracy of clinical test.This research aims to determine accuracy & reliability of CA in detecting aspiration, compared to objective radiological evaluations.CA may improve aspiration detection & subsequently minimise health system costs.Read moreRead less
Down syndrome (DS) individuals have 3 copies of chromosome 21. I am proposing to do my PhD to investigate the role of a gene existing on chromosome 21 called Intersectin 1. This gene, when over-expressed might be responsible for manifestation of intellectual impairment in Down syndrome. I will be examining the consequence of altered/over-expression of this gene in receptor trafficking, cell signalling and histology of the brain to identify the differences between affected individuals and the nor ....Down syndrome (DS) individuals have 3 copies of chromosome 21. I am proposing to do my PhD to investigate the role of a gene existing on chromosome 21 called Intersectin 1. This gene, when over-expressed might be responsible for manifestation of intellectual impairment in Down syndrome. I will be examining the consequence of altered/over-expression of this gene in receptor trafficking, cell signalling and histology of the brain to identify the differences between affected individuals and the normal population.Read moreRead less
Pathophysiological Decision-making In Children With Obsessive-compulsive Disorder And Tic Disorders: Action-selection And Imaging Correlates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
Why is it that a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has trouble deciding whether or not to wash their hands? We scanned the brains of teenagers with OCD while they made decisions and found that they had difficulty using cues in their environment to direct choices. This may be an early vulnerability for the development of the disorder that could guide prevention. We plan to check if that difficulty is present in younger children with OCD and their family members.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Insulin Resistance And Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$105,325.00
Summary
Research to be undertaken will focus on the impact of excess weight on insulin action in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is the most common hormone condition in women of reproductive age, with significant long-term health implications. Identification of key metabolic and lifestyle associated factors in PCOS and the long term impact of these on health outcomes will assist in enabling earlier detection and intervention to optimise management and minimise long-term sequelae.
Vagal Nerve Stimulation As A Novel Therapy In Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$88,502.00
Summary
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is common exerting a large personal and societal burden to the Australian population. Current medications used to treat IBD are expensive, have many side effects and at times require hospitalisation for their administration. We aim to develop the non invasive and inexpensive technique of vagal nerve stimulation as a novel treatment strategy for IBD.
Does Metformin Have A Disease Modifying Effect In Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis? A Multicentre Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis(OA) is a major contributor to this disease burden. Currently, there is no therapy that slows disease progression. Metformin may affect OA progression via multiple pathways that address the pathogenesis of knee OA, including weight loss, glucose- and lipid-lowering, and anti-inflammation. This will be the world first randomised, double-blind controlled trial, to assess the effect of metformin, compared with placebo, on knee OA-related structural and clinical outcomes
Type 1 Diabetes And The Metabolic Syndrome: Defining This Modern-day Phenotype, And Exploring The Effects Of Exercise On Glycaemic Control And Both Traditional And Novel Diabetes Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,714.00
Summary
This research aims to define trends in the prevalence of, and complications associated with, metabolic syndrome in adults with type 1 diabetes, using the Australian National Diabetes Information Audit and Benchmarking Initiative (ANDIAB). Subsequently, a randomised controlled trial will examine the effect of exercise on glycaemic control and diabetes complications risk profiles in this group. These studies will thus address disease profiles and a potential beneficial clinical intervention.