A Study Addressing Motor, Cognitive And Attentional Deficits In Presymptomatic Gene Carriers For Huntington's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,330.00
Summary
Since the discovery of the Huntington's disease (HD) gene mutation there has been much controversy in the literature relating to whether there are any preclinical deficits in individuals who are gene positive for HD but who have not yet been clinically diagnosed with the disease. Our aim is to examine, over a three year period, the cognitive, attentional and motor performance of presymptomatic gene-positive, and negative, individuals on a wide variety of computerized experimental procedures, whi ....Since the discovery of the Huntington's disease (HD) gene mutation there has been much controversy in the literature relating to whether there are any preclinical deficits in individuals who are gene positive for HD but who have not yet been clinically diagnosed with the disease. Our aim is to examine, over a three year period, the cognitive, attentional and motor performance of presymptomatic gene-positive, and negative, individuals on a wide variety of computerized experimental procedures, which we have previously shown to be sensitive to deficits in individuals who have already been diagnosed with HD. If progressive behavioural changes in gene-positive individuals can be reliably documented to occur before the clinical symptoms of HD are evident, this would be of profound significance as it would allow a set of criteria to be established to assist in early detection of clinical onset of symptoms, and possibly permit use of newly-emerging therapies.Read moreRead less
Spatial Learning And Memory In Huntington's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$475,969.00
Summary
This project will develop a spatial learning and memory test battery sensitive to dementia in Huntington’s disease, relate the task to atrophy in key brain regions, and then apply the test in a clinical trial aimed at developing a regeneration of damaged brain regions in Huntington’s disease. The overarching goal is to develop a cognitive test that is closely aligned to brain pathology in dementia as a tool for more precise, mechanism-based investigations in the dementia clinical trial setting.
AusDiab 3: Emerging Risk Factors For And Long-term Incidence Of Cardio-metabolic Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,616,397.00
Summary
This study will track 11,000 Australian adults over 12 years to determine how many develop diabetes, obesity, kidney and heart disease. The study will develop ways to best predict those who are going to develop these conditions before they have arisen, and will explore a range of novel risk factors to better understand these conditions.
Optimising Heart Disease Prevention And Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,647,175.00
Summary
As we become older and risk factors such as obesity become more common, our biggest contributor to death and disability, cardiovascular disease (including heart disease), will continue to exert an enormous burden on our health care system and society. We will extend our ground-breaking research on multidisciplinary teams to create new and innovative health care programs to optimise the prevention and management of new heart disease and chronic forms of heart disease.
Periodontal Disease And Chronic Kidney Disease Among Aboriginal Adults; An RCT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,035,550.00
Summary
Chronic Kidney Disease is a growing public health concern in Australia, especially among Aboriginal populations. It is associated with progression to end stage kidney disease requiring dialysis, cardiovascular disease burden and high mortality. This study will use a randomised controlled trial design to determine if comprehensive periodontal therapy reduces progression of kidney disease among Aboriginal adults with chronic kidney disease residing in Central Australia.
The Burden And Risk Factors Of Depressive Disorders In Indigenous Australians: Implications For Early Detection And Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
This Fellowship addresses the high rates of depression amongst Indigenous Australians. The proposed work will quantify the extent to which two major risk factors contribute to the burden of depression in this population and the burden avertable from interventions to modify these risk factors. Findings would inform resource allocation and health service delivery, and in doing so, present opportunities for improvements in the health of Indigenous Australians.
Regulation Of NOD Signalling By IAPs And RIP Kinases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,172.00
Summary
Alterations in NOD signalling have been implicated in various human inflammatory diseases, particularly in Crohn’s disease and asthma. In this project we will identify new molecules that regulate NOD signalling and test the effect of drugs that inhibit known components of these pathways to determine their utility in treating inflammatory diseases.
Defining Epigenetic Predictors Of Long-term Outcomes Of Preterm Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,408.00
Summary
On average, those born premature do worse health-wise than those born at term. However, some do worse than others. Our aim is to identify these people at birth to better help doctors and parents to closely monitor their health. For this, we will be “reading the diary of pregnancy” in the molecules added to chromosomes in blood during pregnancy in young adults with will characterised states of health. We will analyse DNA from blood that we will extract from stored heel prick spots.
Restoration Of The Nigrostriatal Pathway In The Parkinsonian Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,431.00
Summary
Many obstacles exist for cell transplantation in Parkinson's disease; namely poor restoration of the host brain circuitry due to incorrect graft placement. This results in incomplete motor function and unwanted side effects. Through iterative studies we endeavor to restore this circuitry by placing grafts in the appropriate location and promoting their survival and growth-integrations. This will require: optimizing the donor tissue and exposure of the graft to growth stimulating factors.
The Role Of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 In Diabetic Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,144.00
Summary
Most heart attacks and strokes arise from narrowing of the arteries. This process is regulated by a number of hormonal pathways. One of the most important is the renin angiotensin system. Our group has demonstrated important changes in this pathway which play a pivotal role in regulating the development of atherosclerosis and its response to treatment. It is predicted that these studies will provide critical information to develop innovative treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease.