It is now well established that there are genetic factors contributing to risk of depression but it is far from clear what these are and how they interact with environmental risk factors such as stressful life events (SLE) and poor social support (SS). A recent, highly cited paper has claimed that those carrying a particular genotype at the sertonin transporter gene are much more badly affected by stressful life events than other genotypes, and that this puts these people at much higher risk of ....It is now well established that there are genetic factors contributing to risk of depression but it is far from clear what these are and how they interact with environmental risk factors such as stressful life events (SLE) and poor social support (SS). A recent, highly cited paper has claimed that those carrying a particular genotype at the sertonin transporter gene are much more badly affected by stressful life events than other genotypes, and that this puts these people at much higher risk of depression. If true, this could have important practical implications for preventative mental health, in identifying those at greatest risk if depression and counselling them to avoid stressful situations. However, success in replicating this finding has been mixed, and this is possibly because another important risk factor, social support, has not been taken into account. We have DNA samples from over 5000 twins who have been assessed for depression and risk factors including SLE and SS. This will give us unprecedented power to estimate the importance of the genotype x environment interaction. We shall also type other genes that have been implicated in depression and check for interactions with life events and social support. Our results will inform preventative strategies in mental health practice.Read moreRead less
Melanoma is one of Australia?s major cancer problems, but we still do not completely understand why certain people are at higher risk than others. This study is focussed on people who have developed melanoma at an early age (under 40yrs) and will compare their family history of cancer, skin features, genetic characteristics and various aspects of their previous sun exposure with people who don?t have melanoma. The large number of people involved and the fact that they will be selected at random ....Melanoma is one of Australia?s major cancer problems, but we still do not completely understand why certain people are at higher risk than others. This study is focussed on people who have developed melanoma at an early age (under 40yrs) and will compare their family history of cancer, skin features, genetic characteristics and various aspects of their previous sun exposure with people who don?t have melanoma. The large number of people involved and the fact that they will be selected at random from the population of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane which have very different melanoma rates, means that the study will be able to clarify what roles genes and environment play in the disease. It is intended to be an international benchmark in this regard, and Australia is the only country in which a study of this scope could be mounted. Potential benefits from this research will be a better understanding of the way sun exposure affects people differently, depending on their genetic makeup, the place of genetic testing in assessing people?s risk of melanoma, particularly if they have relatives with the disease, and way in which skin features like moles should be taken into account in that assessment. Finally, it is likely that better information about the types of genetic susceptibility to melanoma in the population will translate to more effective programs for the prevention of melanoma and for detection of melanomas efficiently at the earliest possible stage.Read moreRead less
Environmental Influences On Allergic Airways Disease From Birth To 8yrs: Long-term Outcomes Of A Randomised Trial (CAPS)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,000.00
Summary
The prevalence of asthma in Australia is among the highest in the world yet no trials of primary prevention have been conducted which address the most common known causative agent (housedust mite allergens) and the most common known protective factor (dietary omega-3 fatty acids). Until the effectiveness of interventions which address these factors is certain, it will not be possible to give confident advice about how to prevent asthma. We are applying to continue follow up of the cohort of the ....The prevalence of asthma in Australia is among the highest in the world yet no trials of primary prevention have been conducted which address the most common known causative agent (housedust mite allergens) and the most common known protective factor (dietary omega-3 fatty acids). Until the effectiveness of interventions which address these factors is certain, it will not be possible to give confident advice about how to prevent asthma. We are applying to continue follow up of the cohort of the Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (CAPS) which has been underway since mid-1997. CAPS is a randomised controlled trial in which 616 infants at high risk of developing asthma because of a family history have been enrolled. The interventions include allergen reduction and dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids. The interventions are designed to have maximum effect but be simple to implement by parents. Objective and subjective measurements of exposures, atopy, diet and asthmatic symptoms are being collected at 3 month intervals and at medical assessments when the children are 18 months, 3 and 5 years old. The interventions are stopped at age 5 years. The continued follow up of the cohort to age 8 will enable us to test conclusively if the interventions have had a positive effect. If so, CAPS will form the basis for a nationwide public health campaign which will have the potential to reduce the incidence of childhood asthma in Australia.Read moreRead less