Understanding Typical And Atypical Development Of The Infant Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
This project will apply advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to understand how brain abnormalities in preterm infants relate to their functional impairments. It aims to: develop new software to easily and accurately measure infant brain structures and tissues; understand the neurobiological basis for adverse outcomes, enabling diagnosis of high risk preterm infants; and identify MRI biomarkers to assess interventions designed to give Australian babies a healthier start to life.
Imaging The Human Brain Connectome And Its Application To Psychiatric Disorders.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
The human brain has long been conceptualized as a complex neural network. The connections of this network are yet to be characterized in full detail. Only recent technological advances in imaging have made possible to visualize the network architecture of the living brain. My fellowship will focus on using MRI techniques to map the interconnected network of the brain also called as the “connectome” and apply this knowledge to advance the understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Is Stroke Neurodegenerative? A Longitudinal Study Of Changes In Brain Volume And Cognition Following Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,946.00
Summary
There is no direct evidence linking Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and stroke. It is unknown whether stroke can trigger progressive dementia in the same way as AD. In a group of stroke patients, I will measure MRI brain volume and cognition in the 5 years after stroke. These findings will be critical for identification of those patients most at risk of dementia after stroke. This may allow future early intervention for these patients, via promising AD disease-modifying therapies.
Examining New Treatments And Developing New Treatment Biomarkers For Youth With Severe Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,381.00
Summary
Antidepressant medications and psychotherapy have been the mainstays of depression treatment in young people, but given their modest effectiveness, there is a pressing need for new treatment strategies. During this fellowship I aim to examine better treatments for depression, and develop better predictors about who is likely to benefit from them.
Characterisation Of Sub-clinical Cardiac Dysfunction Using Novel Cardiac Exercise Imaging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,552.00
Summary
Heart failure is caused by heart muscle weakness and is associated with reduced quality of life and survival. Identification of heart failure in its earliest stages provides clinicians with an opportunity to institute preventative measures and prevent patients from developing symptoms. This project utilises novel ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging techniques performed during exercise to identify heart muscle weakness at its earliest stage.
Structural Connectomes In Traumatic Brain Injury: Can Secondary Disease Progression Be Stopped And Cognitive Deficits Be Reversed?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Many people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience cognitive problems, including poor memory and concentration. TBI is often referred to as a ‘hidden disability’ because the overwhelming majority of patients with TBI show no abnormalities on standard MRI or CT scans. In my project, I will delineate the mechanisms of secondary injury in finer detail through enhanced neuroimaging techniques, resulting in new assessment and treatment modalities for individuals with TBI.
Refining Treatment Strategies For Youth Depression: Clinical Trials And Biomarker Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,221.00
Summary
Depression is the biggest contributor to disease burden of all illnesses suffered by young people. Despite this existing treatments are often not effective. The Career Development Fellowship will aid efforts to improve treatments for youth depression, by enabling the implementation of important clinical trials, and the identification and development of imaging biomarkers that can help to target treatments at patients most likely to benefit from them.
Improving Musculoskeletal Pain By Matching The Right Treatment With The Right Patient
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,034.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal pain is common, disabling, and costly in Australia. Current treatment options are poor. This program of research uses clinical trials to investigate new therapy options for osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain. These studies aim to provide new effective treatment options for patients that can improve pain, slow joint damage and decrease the overall burden of musculoskeletal disease.
Improving The Prevention And Outcomes Of Knee And Hip Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,747.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis is a major public health problem. No current treatment slows disease progression with end-stage osteoarthritis treated by joint replacement surgery. This project will identify new approaches for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis and the improvement of patients’ outcomes after total joint replacement surgery. The findings will have both public health and clinical impact, informing clinical practice of strategies to improve the prevention and outcomes of osteoarthritis.