IMPROVING STROKE OUTCOMES: NEW TARGETS AND THERAPIES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,212,064.00
Summary
Previously we established a unique collaboration of researchers from the basic and clinical sciences.. The main aim of this ' vertically integrated ' model was to develop new therapies to improve stroke outcomes. We developed a system to identify ' off-the-shelf ' compounds which protect the brain after stroke onset. This involves data assimilation (meta-analysis) in a unique way, an approach which has attracted attention internationally. We are also completing an important clinical trial using ....Previously we established a unique collaboration of researchers from the basic and clinical sciences.. The main aim of this ' vertically integrated ' model was to develop new therapies to improve stroke outcomes. We developed a system to identify ' off-the-shelf ' compounds which protect the brain after stroke onset. This involves data assimilation (meta-analysis) in a unique way, an approach which has attracted attention internationally. We are also completing an important clinical trial using the clot dissolving agent tPA to extend the time during which the drug may be effective beyond the three-hours currently used. In the next phase of our program we plan to expand the basic science component to identify parts of brain cells (axons and dendrites) which may yield important information about new drugs to protect the brain. We will use our novel summary data technique to test drugs in animal models more appropriate to the human stroke paradigm than have been used in the past In clinical studies we will follow our theme of identifying new targets for therapy using sophisticated PET and MRI imaging techniques, both in patients who are at great risk of stroke recurrence after a minor warning stroke and those with stroke caused by bleeding within the brain. These studies will provide information about predictors of recurrent and worsening stroke which may be modified by new therapies. The final stage in identifying new therapies is the Phase III clinical trial. We will complete one of these in which the most appropriate drug preventing further strokes in a major new stroke subtype will be identified. Toward the end of the program, we will commence phase 3 studies of drugs we have selected as being most likely to protect the brain based on our animal experiments. The main benefit of this unique collaborative research model is to efficiently identify new therapies to reduce the burden of stroke, currently the second most common cause of death globally.Read moreRead less
Stroke outcomes directly relate to brain tissue rescue. We have contributed to changes in clinical practice through many clinical trials of new protocols and therapeutic strategies. Our program will focus on brain salvage in the pre-hospital setting and the acute hospital environment. We will use novel approaches to enhance brain recovery and design new implementation strategies to maximise the benefits of these therapeutic advances.
I am a practising hospital neurologist and world leader in the prevention and treatment of stroke. Our research aims to realise exciting new break-throughs for stroke sufferers by testing the effectiveness and safety of new treatments that promise to improve recovery of function of damaged brain and reduce disability after stroke, and to prevent recurrent strokes.
Psychosocial Disability And Return To Work In Younger Stroke Survivors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,216.00
Summary
Each year about 12,000 Australians of working age survive a stroke. These younger survivors have responsibility for generating an income or providing care for families and state that their main objective is to return to work for financial reasons and to help rebuild confidence and independence. This observational 3 year study will determine thefactors are associated with returning to work, improving the wellbeing of thousands of stroke survivors and their families using multivariate regression.
Liquid Biopsy For Personalised Monitoring Of Melanoma Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$820,888.00
Summary
Despite the success of recent melanoma treatments, therapies are effective long term in only a proportion of patients. Here we will progress preliminary findings in collaboration with biotechnology and pathology companies to develop highly effective companion biomarkers that will aid treatment decisions throughout disease course. Our team will spearhead translation of these markers into the clinic for routine monitoring of melanoma patients.
Biosensor Based Clinical-decision Support For Patients With Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$691,933.00
Summary
Heart Failure (HF) is a progressive disease and a major global public health concern. HF accounts for a substantial number of hospitalisations, major healthcare resource utilisation and costs. We aim to engineer biosensor platform to stratify the risk in HF patients will revolutionise current management of HF by providing the cardiologist information to risk stratify patients based on protein signature. This will lead to a substantial paradigm shift in clinical practice.
The Role Of Interferon Signalling In The Regulation Of Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,381.00
Summary
This project focuses on the role that inflammation plays in the progression of the type of neural injury seen in stroke victims. This project targets a specific pathway that is thought to be involved in the regulation of general inflammation but has not been greatly investigated in terms of the neural injury seen in stroke. Understanding the actions of this pathway may lead to future therapies that can be used to prime the brain to react in a positive way to stroke.
Improving Stroke Outcomes: Attenuating Progression And Recurrence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,331,996.00
Summary
Stroke is the second most common cause of death and major cause disability. There are few proven interventions, so we need to introduce new ones. We developed a bench to bedside program to introduce new stroke therapies and its early secondary prevention. Our general goal is to provide evidence for their effectiveness and safety. We will use animal stroke models, markers in the blood to help diagnose and predict stroke outcome and imaging to help select patients for several clinical trials.
The Effect Of Smoking On The Exacerbation Of Stroke: Oxidative Stress Involvement And Cerebrovascular Response.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,216.00
Summary
This grant addresses whether smoking contributes to the severity of stroke outcome. The studies outlined in this proposal will contribute significantly in our understanding of how smoking contributes to the progression of stroke. The understanding of the involvement of smoking in the progression of stroke will be of great benefit in the development of improved stroke patient management.