Advances In The Understanding Of Autoimmune Encephalitides And Associated Movement Disorders In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$68,832.00
Summary
Encephalitis in childhood can be devastating with long lasting effects and mortality. This research focuses on children who suffer from encephalitis due to an autoimmune process. In such cases many children present with involuntary abnormal body movements. This project will explore whether differences in the nature of these movements or in electroencephalography or brain imaging with MRI, can help early differentiation of different types of autoimmune encephalitis.
Improving Palliative Care For People After Acute Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,653.00
Summary
Stroke is a leading cause of death, disability and is a symptom burden worldwide. It impacts patients and their families in various ways, including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects. Stroke outcome is uncertain and decision making complex. To date, there is no integrated concept for palliative care in stroke that addresses the appropriate moment to start palliative care for stroke patients.
Nerve And Muscle Excitability In Inclusion Body Myositis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$81,294.00
Summary
Our study will use recently developed neurophysiological techniques to study nerve and muscle excitability in sporadic inclusion body myositis, a poorly understood progressive muscle disease for which no effective treatment is known. We will determine whether the electrical properties of nerve and muscle cell membranes are affected and obtain clues as to where this dysfunction may occur. This may aid development of effective therapies through a better understanding of disease mechanisms.
The Neuro-ophthalmological Manifestations Of Human Mitochondrial Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,675.00
Summary
Human mitochondrial diseases often result in neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities. We aim to examine a cohort of patients with mitochondrial disease and document the type and degree of neuro-ophthalmological abnormality. We will provide detail on the retina, optic nerve, oculomotor function, eyelids and visual acuity. We will examine the optic nerve in detail and perform optical coherence tomography and visual evoked potentials on each patient. We will compare results to age-matched controls.
Interactions Between Neuropeptide FF Receptor And Hypothalamic Neuropeptides In The Regulation Of Energy Homeostasis And Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$95,733.00
Summary
Despite the alarming obesity epidemic, there currently exists no effective long-term treatment for obesity. Neuropeptide FF and its receptor NPFF2R have an emerging role in regulating food intake and body fat stores. Results from this study will show whether NPFF2R plays an important role in regulating appetite, metabolic rate, body weight and fat stores, thus help to identify whether NPFF2R-targeted therapeutics would confer significant benefit for the long-term treatment of obesity.
How Does Fampridine Affect Upper Limb Function In Multiple Sclerosis?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,237.00
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common and disabling neurological disease affecting thousands of young Australians. In 2011 Fampridine received TGA approval for walking impairment in MS, but its mechanism of action is unknown and its effects on domains other than lower limb function remain untested. Our study will test whether Fampridine improves upper limb impairment in MS patients and will use electrophysiological measures of central nervous system conduction to uncover its mechanism of action.
Retinal Endothelial Cell Changes That Precede Retinal Vein Occlusion And The Retinal Extracellular Space Changes That Follow It
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$118,121.00
Summary
Dr. Min Hye Kang, at The University of Western Australia, is investigating microscopic blood vessel changes that precede the onset of devastating blindness. She is also studying functional changes that occur in the retina following deprivation of its blood supply. Her research has significantly improved our understanding of cellular mechanisms that lead to blindness. It has also aided in the development of new treatment strategies for the prevention of vision loss.