Motor Functioning In Autism And Asperger's Disorder: Furthering Current Neurobehavioural And Clinical Definitions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,932.00
Summary
While it is well known that autism and Asperger's disorder are associated with social, communicative, and behavioural symptoms, it is less well known that affected individuals also have considerable movement and coordination difficulties. For example, these children often have problems with hand writing, walking, hopping, skipping, catching, and running. These skills are very important for success at school; for example, if children are unable to participate in school sports they often feel isol ....While it is well known that autism and Asperger's disorder are associated with social, communicative, and behavioural symptoms, it is less well known that affected individuals also have considerable movement and coordination difficulties. For example, these children often have problems with hand writing, walking, hopping, skipping, catching, and running. These skills are very important for success at school; for example, if children are unable to participate in school sports they often feel isolated and rejected from the peer group. Also, hand writing problems have a significant impact on children's academic performance. Our previous research has suggested that there may be particular patterns of motor problems that characterise individuals with autism and Asperger's disorder. Our proposed research aims to use the kinds of 3D motion analysis technology used in the movie industry to capture exactly how people affected by these conditions move and respond to the environment. This study will enable us to highlight particular parts of the brain-motor circuitry that are affected by these disorders and will also enable us to more clearly distinguish how autism is different from Asperger's disorder. Ultimately, it is hoped that our motor investigations will lead to improved assessment and interventions for these disorders.Read moreRead less
Ocular Motility In Autism And Asperger S Disorder: Dissociation Of Motor Deficits.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$131,235.00
Summary
We will use ocular motor technology to investigate motor dysfunction in autism and Asperger's disorder, to advance our understanding of the neurobiological bases of these disorders. This will help clarify whether neural networks are differentially disrupted in these disorders, as our previous clinical research suggests. This dissociation and the subsequent development of an ocular motor clincal screen may improve diagnosis, and potentially treatment, of these devastating conditions.
Prevalence report by the Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) estimated that 1 child in every 160 children in the 6-12 year-old age group is affected by ASD. There is no cure for ASD and the causes are not understood. We propose that sex hormones may play a role in the development of these disorders. We will test this hypothesis using knockout and transgenic mouse models which have social interaction deficits and brain structure reminiscent of these disorders.
Improving determinants of Australian sports talent identification and development: a multi-disciplinary approach. Sport is important to many Australians. Our sport successes enhance our national identity, generate community pride and attract mega sport events. Currently our sport talent identification and development (TID) systems have been surpassed by our international rivals who borrowed from and improved our knowledge. This project will help regain Australia's international advantage and aga ....Improving determinants of Australian sports talent identification and development: a multi-disciplinary approach. Sport is important to many Australians. Our sport successes enhance our national identity, generate community pride and attract mega sport events. Currently our sport talent identification and development (TID) systems have been surpassed by our international rivals who borrowed from and improved our knowledge. This project will help regain Australia's international advantage and again make Australian TID the international benchmark. Results will highlight the role of TID practices in improving recreational participation and maximising, attracting, developing and retaining sport talent. This will result in improved use of sports limited TID funding by providing greater understanding of factors that influence elite selection and sport development.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100864
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,334.00
Summary
Discovering The Effect of alpha-actinin-3 Deficiency on Muscle Adaptations to Exercise Training in Humans. The protein alpha-actinin-3 is expressed in fast muscle fibres. A common gene variant results in complete deficiency in alpha-actinin-3 that has been shown to influence athletic performance. A mouse model has been previously generated to demonstrate that alpha-actinin-3 deficiency results in a significant shift in fast muscle fibres, towards the slow, more efficient muscle fibres. This proj ....Discovering The Effect of alpha-actinin-3 Deficiency on Muscle Adaptations to Exercise Training in Humans. The protein alpha-actinin-3 is expressed in fast muscle fibres. A common gene variant results in complete deficiency in alpha-actinin-3 that has been shown to influence athletic performance. A mouse model has been previously generated to demonstrate that alpha-actinin-3 deficiency results in a significant shift in fast muscle fibres, towards the slow, more efficient muscle fibres. This project will demonstrate the effects of alpha-actinin-3 deficiency on the characteristics of human muscle pre and post exercise training. Outcomes will include major applications for personalising health recommendations and in designing preventative programs for ageing.Read moreRead less
Improving neuronal cell function with cell permeable copper complexes. Metal-based drugs offer an exciting new approach to treatment of neurodegeneration. However, little is known about how cells metabolise these drugs and this information is critical for further drug development. This project will determine how metal-based drugs are metabolised by neuronal cells and how this may result in therapeutic benefit.
Early Nutrition, Epigenetics And Developmental Outcomes In Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,093.00
Summary
Increasing evidence demonstrates that early nutrition, including in pregnancy, has long lasting programming effects on later health of children. Evidence implicates epigenetics (literally ‘above DNA’) in mediating these effects. The most convincing data exists for obesity and related disorders such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and heart disease. The focus of this project is on understanding how ‘epigenetic’ mechanisms are influencing the way our genes function to cause these disorders.
A Randomised Trial Of The Augmentation Of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy With Fluoxetine For Anxious School Refusing Youth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$539,191.00
Summary
School refusing youth consistently suffer from anxiety and sometimes depression. They become severely emotionally distressed when taken to school and experience social and academic difficulties in the short and long term as well as psychiatric illness in adulthood. Our program investigates whether treatment can be improved by enhancing psychotherapy (cognitive behaviour therapy) which helps over half of anxious school refusing children, with antidepressant-anxiety medication compared to placebo.
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR1101002
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$21,000,000.00
Summary
Stem Cells Australia. Despite progress in stem cell research, scientists do not understand how stem cells “decide” what to become. Stem Cells Australia will draw upon strengths within Australia’s premier stem cell research universities and institutes. This collaboration between leading bioengineering, nanotechnology, stem cell and advanced molecular analysis experts, will fast-track efforts to deliver a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of stem cell regulation and differentiation, and ....Stem Cells Australia. Despite progress in stem cell research, scientists do not understand how stem cells “decide” what to become. Stem Cells Australia will draw upon strengths within Australia’s premier stem cell research universities and institutes. This collaboration between leading bioengineering, nanotechnology, stem cell and advanced molecular analysis experts, will fast-track efforts to deliver a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of stem cell regulation and differentiation, and the ability to control and influence this process. Stem Cells Australia will deliver new methods for stem cell propagation and manipulation, new translational technologies for therapeutic applications, and will prepare Australia’s future stem cell scientific leaders.Read moreRead less
Engineering functional nerves using microtailored culture systems. The aim of this work is to develop new culture systems for developing and growing nerves outside of the body. The project will generate knowledge and engineering technology for production of neural implants suitable for medical applications. The availability of engineered nerve grafts to repair neural injuries will improve patient health outcomes.