Being Born Small Is Not Good For The Heart:early Detection Of Cardiovascular Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,757.00
Summary
Intra uterine growth restriction(IUGR) is linked to adult onset of cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the mechanism(s) which underlie this link or which babies are most at risk. This study aims to assess cardiovascular function in infants and children who were growth restricted. Early identification of cardiovascular dysfunction may aid in new opportunities for monitoring and therapeutic targets to ultimately reduce later onset of cardiovascular morbidity in this population.
A common medical problem is the inability to maintain normal blood pressure while standing. This can cause blackouts, falls and injury. The available medical treatment is very deficient, because the various body mechanisms at play are poorly understood, so it has not been possible to specifically target the root cause. This grant application aims to study patients with these “postural hypotension” disorders, to better understand how the problems develop, and consequently, to provide better medic ....A common medical problem is the inability to maintain normal blood pressure while standing. This can cause blackouts, falls and injury. The available medical treatment is very deficient, because the various body mechanisms at play are poorly understood, so it has not been possible to specifically target the root cause. This grant application aims to study patients with these “postural hypotension” disorders, to better understand how the problems develop, and consequently, to provide better medical treatment.Read moreRead less
InterLACE: International Collaboration For A Life Course Approach To Reproductive Health And Chronic Disease Events
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,965.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are major chronic diseases among women. This world-leading research combines data from 7 international and 3 Australian studies of womenÍs health. We will investigate the relationship of reproductive health, from menarche to menopause, with the risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in later life. Findings will support the development of policies and preventive health strategies to reduce the risk of these chronic diseases.
Novel Aspects Of The Renin Angiotensin System In Cardio-renal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$497,330.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease are major public health problems with increasing incidence and prevalence in Australia. There are complex causal relationships between these diseases, and each of them may be caused by or be a complication of the other. This proposal will investigate the role of an important hormone system, the renin angiotensin system, in experimental models and in patients with heart and kidney disease. The results may identify novel markers in the blood that c ....Cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease are major public health problems with increasing incidence and prevalence in Australia. There are complex causal relationships between these diseases, and each of them may be caused by or be a complication of the other. This proposal will investigate the role of an important hormone system, the renin angiotensin system, in experimental models and in patients with heart and kidney disease. The results may identify novel markers in the blood that can predict if someone will develop kidney disease.Read moreRead less
The Dead Heart Project: When Is A 'dead' Heart Truly Dead?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,672,053.00
Summary
Best practice treatment for end-stage heart failure is heart transplantation, yet donor heart availability is deficient and limited by current practices. Using extensive basic and clinical research approaches, this project aims to increase donor heart quantity and quality by profiling current and novel donor heart sources, and extending donor heart storage time and quality using a novel transport device and therapeutic agents - thus increasing the number of successful transplant recipients.
Reduction Of The Cardiovascular Response Of Psychological Stress Through Blockade Of Orexin’s Action On One Of Its Receptors.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,925.00
Summary
Anxiety, fear of challenges, frustration are part of modern life stressors. Our body reacts to these stressors by increasing blood pressure and heart rate, which in turn can harm our cardiovascular system and precipitate cardiovascular accidents. In this project we test a new class of drugs that act on a neurochemical system implicated in these particular responses. If our hypothesis is correct, one of these drugs could be used to relax the cardiovascular system and protect it in times of stress ....Anxiety, fear of challenges, frustration are part of modern life stressors. Our body reacts to these stressors by increasing blood pressure and heart rate, which in turn can harm our cardiovascular system and precipitate cardiovascular accidents. In this project we test a new class of drugs that act on a neurochemical system implicated in these particular responses. If our hypothesis is correct, one of these drugs could be used to relax the cardiovascular system and protect it in times of stress.Read moreRead less
Investigating The Mechanisms That Increase Nerve-evoked Vasoconstriction Following Spinal Cord Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,547.00
Summary
People with spinal cord injury not only lose control of their arms and legs but also lose control of their bladder and bowel. They also have poor control of blood pressure and an overfull bladder or bowel can lead to dangerously high blood pressure. In this project, we are investigating how this abnormal high blood pressure is generated. The aim is to develop treatments which target the mechanisms which increase the blood pressure responses elicited by the bladder and bowel.
Hypothalamic Oxexin-synthesizing Neurons Regulate The Ultradian Basic Rest-Activity Cycle (BRAC); Studies In Transgenic Rats And Mice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$588,418.00
Summary
In the hypothalamus region of the brain there is a group of neurons that synthesize a neuropeptide messenger called orexin. In humans, malfunction of orexin neurons results in narcolepsy (abnormal sleepiness) and in disordered metabolism resulting in obesity. Our experiments, conducted in genetically-modified rats and mice, will elucidate the manner in which the orexin neurons integrate our behaviour (eg eating) with our physiological state (eg body and brain temperature, arterial blood pressure ....In the hypothalamus region of the brain there is a group of neurons that synthesize a neuropeptide messenger called orexin. In humans, malfunction of orexin neurons results in narcolepsy (abnormal sleepiness) and in disordered metabolism resulting in obesity. Our experiments, conducted in genetically-modified rats and mice, will elucidate the manner in which the orexin neurons integrate our behaviour (eg eating) with our physiological state (eg body and brain temperature, arterial blood pressure).Read moreRead less
Reduced Baroreceptor Reflex Control Of Heart Rate In Chronic Renal Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$490,288.00
Summary
People with kidney disease are more likely to die of heart disease than their ailing kidneys. One reason is because their hearts do not respond properly to changes in blood pressure, as the nerve circuits controlling the heart become dysfunctional. We will examine where and why components of this circuit are unable to respond to changes in blood pressure. This will help guide new treatments to reduce the incidence of heart disease and risk of death associated with kidney disease.
Development Of A Preventive Strategy For Rheumatic Heart Disease Using An Experimental Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,846.00
Summary
Based on animal studies, we aim to demonstrate that the worsening of heart damage seen in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is due to repeated infections with bacteria (group A streptococci: GAS). The heart damage is caused by continual immune damage to the heart and valves and this has adverse effects on heart function. We will also investigate a novel way to prevent the development of RHD.