Motor Functioning In Young People With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – Combined Type: A Three-dimensional Motion Analysis Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$477,065.00
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder –combined type (ADHD-CT) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder with a progressively devastating impact on psychosocial development. The first objective of this study is to use 3D-motion analysis to ‘probe’ the underlying brain dysfunction which characterises ADHD-CT. The second objective of this study is to improve our understanding of the link between movement problems, and (a) injury proneness, and (b) social-communicative problems, in children with AD ....Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder –combined type (ADHD-CT) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder with a progressively devastating impact on psychosocial development. The first objective of this study is to use 3D-motion analysis to ‘probe’ the underlying brain dysfunction which characterises ADHD-CT. The second objective of this study is to improve our understanding of the link between movement problems, and (a) injury proneness, and (b) social-communicative problems, in children with ADHD-CT.Read moreRead less
Motor problems, ranging from clumsiness to cerebral palsy, are one of the most common adverse outcomes in children born early. This study will investigate the motor development of children born <30 weeks’ gestation compared with peers born at term from birth to 5 years. We will determine whether early clinical evaluations or neuroimaging in the newborn period can predict later motor impairment at 5 years to be able to identify those who will benefit most from early intervention.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Phenotypes And Treatment In Quadriplegia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$599,635.00
Summary
Losing function in your arms and legs after an injury (quadriplegia) is a catastrophic event. Quadriplegia also results in obstructive sleep apnoea; a condition where the throat closes repeatedly while asleep causing sleepiness, poor concentration and cardiovascular diseases like stroke. Despite most people with quadriplegia having this disease, the cause is unknown. This project will thoroughly investigate obstructive sleep apnoea causes in people with quadriplegia and test a possible treatment
Harnessing Neuroplasticity To Improve Motor Performance In Infants With Cerebral Palsy: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,736,349.00
Summary
Every 15 hours an Australian baby is born with cerebral palsy. Despite confidence in early intervention, 50% don't receive intervention before their first birthday while awaiting diagnosis, and 8 of 10 previous trials have not produced any physical gains over and above natural development. We have promising data about a new brain training intervention that harnesses neuroplasticity and improves movement. Our trial will treat 300 infants with early training comparing results to Standard Care.
Molecular Targets Of Amino Acid/neurotransmitter Conjugates Of Fatty Acids
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$846,390.00
Summary
This project investigates endogenous chemicals that affect cells important for detecting and responding to pain. We aim to discover how these compounds affect proteins important for nerve cell function, particularly proteins that have a prominent role in detecting and transmitting painful events. The compounds we examine are not themselves likely to be drugs, but future therapies may involve manipulating the levels of these chemicals in the body, or using drugs that mimic the activity of these c ....This project investigates endogenous chemicals that affect cells important for detecting and responding to pain. We aim to discover how these compounds affect proteins important for nerve cell function, particularly proteins that have a prominent role in detecting and transmitting painful events. The compounds we examine are not themselves likely to be drugs, but future therapies may involve manipulating the levels of these chemicals in the body, or using drugs that mimic the activity of these compounds.Read moreRead less
Spinal Cord Injury Pain: Understanding Mechanisms To Develop Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,675.00
Summary
Spinal cord injury has devastating effects on health and quality of life. Many of the major consequences of injury, such as chronic pain and loss of voluntary voiding, are "invisible" – i.e., they are not as visible as limitations of mobility. Our study aims to define the neurobiological changes that cause development of persistent pain after spinal cord injury and use pharmacological tools to attenuate the development of pain.
Characterising Post Stroke Neuroplasticity In Humans – Identifying A Critical Window For Rehabilitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$764,419.00
Summary
Despite major investment in care for stroke patients, almost all have persisting disability. Stroke causes loss of brain cells that cannot be replaced. Some recovery is possible through compensatory mechanisms. In addition, intact cells around the stroke undergo growth that is critical for recovery. Animal studies suggest these changes take place in a “critical window” after stroke. Applying therapies in this window should improve outcomes. We will use novel approaches to define the “critical wi ....Despite major investment in care for stroke patients, almost all have persisting disability. Stroke causes loss of brain cells that cannot be replaced. Some recovery is possible through compensatory mechanisms. In addition, intact cells around the stroke undergo growth that is critical for recovery. Animal studies suggest these changes take place in a “critical window” after stroke. Applying therapies in this window should improve outcomes. We will use novel approaches to define the “critical window” in patients after strokeRead moreRead less
A New Clinical Tool To Assess Fitness-to-drive In Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$727,963.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) affects 1 in 4 middle aged adults. OSA results in impaired neurobehavioral function, excessive sleepiness, and more than 2-fold increased motor vehicle crash risk and workplace accidents. However, not all patients are impaired and identifying patients at risk is a daily clinical challenge. This project proposes new and simple measures that can accurately identify patients with OSA who are most vulnerable to alertness failure and motor vehicle accident risk.
Axon Degeneration And Axon Protection In CNS Disease And Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,120.00
Summary
One of the major reasons for the clinical symptoms of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Motor Neuron Disease is the loss of connections between the nerve cells. Nerve cells are connected by specialized processes called axons. In disease these processes can breakdown. This project specifically looks at how axons break down in disease and tests therapeutic strategies to protect them.
Researching Effective Sleep Treatments (Project REST): A Partner-Assisted Intervention To Improve Adherence In Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Insomnia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,130,307.00
Summary
Insomnia is highly prevalent and predicts many other mental and physical problems. While very good behavioural treatments exist for insomnia, not everyone is able to comply with the difficult behaviour changes required to improve. Bed partners often influence sleep behaviours, and thus, can play a helpful role in the treatment of insomnia, if they are taught how. We will test the first intervention ever developed integrating the partner into insomnia treatment as a means of improving outcomes.