Obesity In The Elderly: Impact Of Weight Loss Therapy On Physiology And Function.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,213.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability, weight-loss efficacy, change in lean body mass and impact of cognition of three approaches to treat obesity in the elderly. We will compare dietary advice, an energy reduced diet and a very low calorie diet. All three groups will also have an exercise program. This study will be of major assistance in developing management guidelines for obesity in the elderly, which will likely be an emerging public health issue.
Improving Weight Loss By Intermittent Use Of Very Low Energy Diet: The TANGO Diet Trial (Temporary Phases Of Accelerated Weight Loss For Noticeably Greater Outcomes)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$660,736.00
Summary
Very low energy diet (VLED) is being increasingly used for the treatment of obesity, but the resultant weight loss is usually transient, partly because it induces powerful adaptive responses that inhibit weight loss and promote regain. We have shown that 'taking a break from dieting' for 2 weeks reduces these adaptive responses. In this project we will thus test whether weight loss outcomes with VLED can be improved via intermittent use, where periods on the VLED are alternated with 'breaks'.
Identification Of Microbiome Control Of Weight Loss During Dietary Intervention In Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$644,667.00
Summary
We will develop diagnostic tests that enable prediction of the optimal weight loss diet for patients. Obesity is a growing problem in Australia and weight loss is of proven health benefit. Dieting is capable of delivering useful weight loss but long term success rates are poor. The variable success rates are linked to differences in gut microbiota. Diagnostic tests based on the gut microbiota in stool samples will allow identification of the optimal weight loss diet for individuals.
Safety And Efficacy Of A Surgically Implanted Suprachoroidal Retinal Prosthesis (Bionic Eye)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,233,826.00
Summary
A bionic eye is a electronic device which can stimulate the remaining visual pathway in a person who is blind, to restore some basic vision. Our team have previously shown that our novel bionic eye device can be safely implanted in a patient, and can give improvements in vision when tested in a laboratory environment. The next stage of the research is to provide patients with a more advanced device, which will contain more electrodes and also be able to be taken home.
Pathogenic Role Of Changes In The Extracellular Environment Of Retinal Ganglion Cells In Glaucoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$471,979.00
Summary
There are an estimated 60 million glaucoma sufferers worldwide. Glaucoma is associated with elevated pressure within the eye but the mechanisms by which this leads to vision loss are not clear. We propose to test a new hypothesis that it is tissue stress that is responsible for the ganglion cell death in glaucoma. We propose to measure key parameters of the cellular environment in an animal model of raised intraocular pressure and determine if elevated intraocular pressure induced changes in the ....There are an estimated 60 million glaucoma sufferers worldwide. Glaucoma is associated with elevated pressure within the eye but the mechanisms by which this leads to vision loss are not clear. We propose to test a new hypothesis that it is tissue stress that is responsible for the ganglion cell death in glaucoma. We propose to measure key parameters of the cellular environment in an animal model of raised intraocular pressure and determine if elevated intraocular pressure induced changes in the cellular environment can be identified.Read moreRead less
Long-term Effects Of Very Low Energy Diet Versus Conventional Diet On Adiposity, Lean Body Mass, Muscle Strength And Bone Density In Obese Adults, And Mechanisms Promoting Changes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$925,990.00
Summary
Very low energy diets (VLEDs) are increasingly used to treat obesity. Of concern is the fact that VLEDs induce adaptive responses that can inhibit loss of – and promote regain of – fatness (particularly belly fat) while decreasing lean body mass, muscle strength and bone density. This project will therefore determine whether VLEDs could have negative effects on body composition that increase the risk of metabolic disease, sarcopenia or osteoporosis, and if so, what are the mechanisms involved.
Pathways To Treatment In Blinding Genetic Retinal Eye Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$556,956.00
Summary
Blinding eye diseases with genetic contributing factors affecting the retina or light-sensing part of the eye, damage the vision of millions of people worldwide. The vision impairment is irreversible, untreatable, and worsens with age. In this project, we will use technological breakthroughs in genome correction and sequencing, in combination with stem cell and mouse model applications, to develop pathways to treatment of these currently incurable diseases.
Studies Of The Effects Of Asymmetric Hearing Loss On The Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$920,076.00
Summary
Hearing loss impairs the normal development and maintenance of auditory pathways. Irreversible pathologies persist when hearing is not restored in a timely manner. While cochlear implantation is the accepted treatment for profound sensorineural hearing loss, there is significant variability in outcomes. Some of this variability is linked to the degree of hearing asymmetry. Thus, we propose to study brain changes in the auditory system that accompany asymmetric hearing impairment.
Mechanisms Underlying The Efficacy Of Bariatric Surgery – Insights From Rat Models Of Sleeve Gastrectomy And The Adjustable Gastric Band
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$868,472.00
Summary
Bariatric surgery is the only effective treatment for morbid obesity. In order to better understand the mechanistic bases of two such procedures, the adjustable gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy, we have developed rodent models. Here we use these models to better understand the physiology and pathophysiology of these surgeries and extend these findings to inform part of a RCT aimed at identifying the basis for effective joint surgical and medicinal treatments of obesity.
Intrinsic Hearing Protection Mechanisms: A Pathway To Prevention Of Noise-induced Hearing Loss
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$625,900.00
Summary
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a significant contributor to the total burden of disease. We recently determined that when the ear is exposed to sustained noise, the cochlea is protected from damage by activation of a specific (P2X2) receptor, evident as reversible hearing adaptation. This study will determine the downstream signalling from this receptor. This will support assessment of vulnerability to NIHL and contribute to development of hearing therapeutics.