Common synaptic inputs to human upper airway muscles. Changes in the activity of upper airway muscles at sleep onset contribute to the development of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. The aim of this project is to investigate how the brain controls upper airway muscles during wakefulness and sleep and to identify the pathological processes that lead to the development of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
Age and Gender Related Changes in Motor Control of the Upper Airway Muscle Genioglossus During Sleep. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is the repetitive obstruction of the airway during sleep. Obstructions occur because muscles of the upper airway fail to keep the airway open during inspiration. The disorder is associated with cardiovascular disease and cognitive and behavioural impairment. The prevalence of the disorder increases in older adults, contributing to age-related health and behavioural ....Age and Gender Related Changes in Motor Control of the Upper Airway Muscle Genioglossus During Sleep. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is the repetitive obstruction of the airway during sleep. Obstructions occur because muscles of the upper airway fail to keep the airway open during inspiration. The disorder is associated with cardiovascular disease and cognitive and behavioural impairment. The prevalence of the disorder increases in older adults, contributing to age-related health and behavioural problems. However, age-related changes differ in men and women. We believe the high prevalence of OSA in older adults is due to age and gender related changes in the activity of muscles in the upper airway. We will study the behaviour of the upper airway muscle genioglossus during sleep in young, middle-aged and older men and women.Read moreRead less
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Activity During Sleep Onset. Going to sleep requires that behavioural and physiological activities be modified. This is achieved by the integrated activity of sleep mechanisms and the circadian system. In this project we will investigate the nature of the regulatory control exerted by sleep mechanisms over respiration and cardiovascular activity at sleep onset, how sleep control interacts with circadian influence, and the nature of cardio-respiratory activity when ....Cardiovascular and Respiratory Activity During Sleep Onset. Going to sleep requires that behavioural and physiological activities be modified. This is achieved by the integrated activity of sleep mechanisms and the circadian system. In this project we will investigate the nature of the regulatory control exerted by sleep mechanisms over respiration and cardiovascular activity at sleep onset, how sleep control interacts with circadian influence, and the nature of cardio-respiratory activity when sleep control is removed at an arousal from sleep. It is anticipated that a better understanding of the regulatory control exerted by sleep over other systems will improve our understanding of sleep disorders.Read moreRead less
Respiratory and Cardiovascular Activation at Arousal from Sleep. An arousal from sleep, no matter how brief, is assciated with increased activity in the respiratory and cardiac systems. Under normal circumstances the response is considered adaptive. However, in disorders of sleep in which individuals arouse frequently and their sleep is fragmented, such as in Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the phenomenon has been linked to hypertension. While the clinical consequences of sleep fragmentation are now ap ....Respiratory and Cardiovascular Activation at Arousal from Sleep. An arousal from sleep, no matter how brief, is assciated with increased activity in the respiratory and cardiac systems. Under normal circumstances the response is considered adaptive. However, in disorders of sleep in which individuals arouse frequently and their sleep is fragmented, such as in Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the phenomenon has been linked to hypertension. While the clinical consequences of sleep fragmentation are now apparent, the mechanism that causes the increase in physiological activity at each arousal, is not known. The aim of this project will provide insight into the mechanism that produces the activation response and provide a basis for minimising the cardiac consequences of sleep disorders.Read moreRead less
A longitudinal study of language learning to assess early intervention outcomes in pre-school children with impaired hearing. Overseas research suggests that young children with impaired hearing and normal non-verbal cognition can develop normal language if hearing aid fitting and intervention occur before 6 months of age. Australian studies show considerable language delays in most hearing-impaired children of primary-school age. We will study the spoken language learning of hearing-impaired ....A longitudinal study of language learning to assess early intervention outcomes in pre-school children with impaired hearing. Overseas research suggests that young children with impaired hearing and normal non-verbal cognition can develop normal language if hearing aid fitting and intervention occur before 6 months of age. Australian studies show considerable language delays in most hearing-impaired children of primary-school age. We will study the spoken language learning of hearing-impaired children up to age 6 years in Victoria. The project will investigate crucial factors in achieving normal language learning in hard-of-hearing children and the role of early intervention. Normal language outcomes would enhance the educational and career prospects of hearing-impaired children and result in community cost savings.
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ELEMENTS: A Virtual-Reality Augmented Workspace for Movement Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury Patients. The broad aim of the project is to design, develop and evaluate an interactive virtual environment (VE) called ELEMENTS that supports movement assessment and rehabilitation for patients recovering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). We will use current knowledge of the neural basis of movement control and learning to create VEs that will help re-train patients' sense of multimodal space ....ELEMENTS: A Virtual-Reality Augmented Workspace for Movement Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury Patients. The broad aim of the project is to design, develop and evaluate an interactive virtual environment (VE) called ELEMENTS that supports movement assessment and rehabilitation for patients recovering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). We will use current knowledge of the neural basis of movement control and learning to create VEs that will help re-train patients' sense of multimodal space, their position within it, and the predictive control of actions. We will adapt our training environments for use on readily available technologies, creating a treatment method amenable to remote delivery. This will extend rehabilitation practices beyond their current constraints.Read moreRead less