Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) And Osteoporosis: Mechanisms And Clinical Consequences
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$422,964.00
Summary
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used to treat depression. Serotonin is not unique to the brain but is also used by other cells in the body, including bone cells. In this project the influence of SSRIs on human osteoclast and osteoblast formation and function will be investigated in a laboratory. Additionally, the impact of SSRI use on bone loss and fracture risk in a community sample of women and men will be investigated. These studies will determine if exposure to ....Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used to treat depression. Serotonin is not unique to the brain but is also used by other cells in the body, including bone cells. In this project the influence of SSRIs on human osteoclast and osteoblast formation and function will be investigated in a laboratory. Additionally, the impact of SSRI use on bone loss and fracture risk in a community sample of women and men will be investigated. These studies will determine if exposure to SSRIs adversely impact bone health.Read moreRead less
Monitoring Bone Loss And Response To Therapy Through Bone Material And Structural Composition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,111.00
Summary
Millions of scripts are filled for treatment of osteoporosis. However, there is no way of knowing if these drugs are right for these individuals, if it improves bone strength or are actually doing harm. Bone density measurement is of limited value. We have developed a new analysis method that measures changes in bone structure that tell us if the treatment is or is not working so alternative treatment can be used. The aim of this study is to test this new method.
Identification Of Novel PTH Anabolic Targets In Osteoblasts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,216.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a major disease affecting Australians. Whilst there are a number of drugs available that will reduce bone loss, there are few drugs available that build new bone, and little is known of the action of these drugs. New targets have been identified that modulate bone formation, and this project aims to validate these in appropriate models and determine their mechanism of action.
Optimising Bone Regeneration Using Advanced Design And Fabrication Technologies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$916,671.00
Summary
The aging population has produced a rapidly increasing demand for synthetic implants that can regenerate lost or diseased bone. This project will produce an implant that represents a viable alternative to bone autografts and allografts with broad applications for the repair of large or challenging bone defects. Such an achievement will have significant healthcare benefits by reducing patient morbidity and recovery time, and improving long-term outcomes.
Determining The Influences Of Cell Stress And Heat Shock Factor-1 Action In Osteoclast Formation And Pathological Bone Loss.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$657,287.00
Summary
Cancer and rheumatoid arthritis cause painful bone destruction. This occurs due to increased numbers of bone destroying cells called osteoclasts. We found stress responses in bone cells can increase osteoclast numbers by activating proteins inside the bone cells that encourage osteoclasts to form. We will thus study whether cell stress blocking drugs might stop bone loss. As arthritis and cancer both cause stress responses, this work could identify a new way that such diseases affect bone.
Sclerostin: A Key Regulator Of Bone Mineralisation And Bone Catabolism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$536,653.00
Summary
The regulation of bone mass is critical for many areas of human disease including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bone loss conditions, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, cancers of bone and problems relating to orthopaedic prosthesis failure. The osteocyte, the most abundant bone cell, plays a central role in normal bone biology and is likely key to these diseases. Sclerostin is one osteocyte product that may be a key to understanding how boneÍs mass and composition is controlled locally.
It is widely accepted that just under half of all people with bipolar disorder have a chronic physical illness. The one neglected comorbidity is osteoporosis. In this project, the association between bipolar disorder and bone fragility will be examined. Additionally, a potential common mechanism, systemic inflammation, which may underlie both diseases, will be investigated as a potential mediator of the relationship.
Furin: Carving-up Vital Substrates For Bone Remodelling And Homeostasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$815,972.00
Summary
Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures. It is caused by an imbalance between the cells that are constantly reabsorbing and reforming bone. The proposed project will address furin as a novel regulator of bone remodelling.
Impact Of Risk-reducing Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy On Non-cancer Outcomes In Young High-risk Women: A Multicentre Prospective Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,207.00
Summary
Growing numbers of Australian women are being identified at increased inherited risk of ovarian cancer. Removing the ovaries and Fallopian tubes (BSO) is currently the only effective prevention and is recommended by the age of 40. This surgery may have profound effects on sexual, physical and emotional health. Our study will be the first to prospectively measure the impact of BSO on these outcomes. Our findings will provide new information to assist decision making and develop evidence-based fol ....Growing numbers of Australian women are being identified at increased inherited risk of ovarian cancer. Removing the ovaries and Fallopian tubes (BSO) is currently the only effective prevention and is recommended by the age of 40. This surgery may have profound effects on sexual, physical and emotional health. Our study will be the first to prospectively measure the impact of BSO on these outcomes. Our findings will provide new information to assist decision making and develop evidence-based follow-up protocols.Read moreRead less
Reconstitution Of B-cell Ontogeny In Btk-deficient Patient-derived CD34+ Cells In A Humanised Mouse Model: The Foundations For An Australian XLA Gene Therapy Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$678,652.00
Summary
Gene therapy targeting the bone marrow has broad therapeutic potential in the management of genetic diseases, viral infections and cancers involving blood cells. In this proposal we plan to obtain bone marrow cells from patients with X-linked agammaglobulinaemia and show that their cells can be genetically repaired in the test tube and, when transferred back into a specialised mouse models, reconstitute the immune system. The results have the potential to underpin a human clinical trial.