Airway Epithelial Barrier Function, Asthma And Aero-allergen Sensitization.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,886.00
Summary
There is a strong association between allergy and asthma. This association been almost universally assumed to be causative. However, recent evidence suggests an alternative explanation ie., that the abnormal epithelium in asthma allows or facilitates sensitization to airborne allergens. This project will test this alternative hypothesis using human lung tissue and an animal model.
Postviral Wheezing In Childhood: Disregulation Of Airway Tone?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$577,040.00
Summary
Asthma is a very common childhood condition that is becoming increasingly more common. Wheezing is common in infants and young children following viral infections and is often thought of as the first manifestation of asthma. However, many children and infants who wheeze with viral infections appear to grow out of asthma in their teenage years. Asthma that persists into adult life is usually associated with allergies to common environmental allergens, such as house dust mite and grass pollens. Ho ....Asthma is a very common childhood condition that is becoming increasingly more common. Wheezing is common in infants and young children following viral infections and is often thought of as the first manifestation of asthma. However, many children and infants who wheeze with viral infections appear to grow out of asthma in their teenage years. Asthma that persists into adult life is usually associated with allergies to common environmental allergens, such as house dust mite and grass pollens. However, many infants who wheeze with viral infections, especially in the first year of life, do not develop allergies in later life, raising the possibility that they did not have the same type of asthma as those whose symptoms persist. This project will study the effects of viral infections on lung function to determine whether particular types of virus can have detrimental effects of lung function lasting for years. We will also examine whether the age at which the infection occurs and the severity of the infection influence the long-term outcome. The project involves studying infants during the recovery phase of respiratory viral infections, older children years after documented infections and experimental animal models that have been infected under controlled conditions. By determining whether respiratory viral infections can have long-term effects on lung function that can mimic asthma, we will advance our understanding of how asthma develops. In addition, specific treatment and preventative strategies could then be developed to prevent these long-term abnormalities, instead of relying on asthma medication (especially inhaled corticosteroids) as is the current practice. Preventative strategies could include encouraging the development of specific vaccines.Read moreRead less
Participate-CP: Optimising Participation In Physically Active Leisure For Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,014,872.00
Summary
In Australia, 35,000 people have cerebral palsy, who compared to able-bodied peers, are less active with a greater risk of chronic, life-limiting health conditions. There are currently no effective interventions for children with cerebral palsy to increase their physical activity and participation in active leisure activities. We have promising data about a new intervention, called Participate-CP, which we will test in 80 children with cerebral palsy and compare results to usual therapy care.
Optimisation Of Antimicrobial Therapy For Severe Bacterial Infections In Neonates And Young Children In Papua New Guinea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$943,865.00
Summary
This study aims to provide important information on the way young Papua New Guinean children with serious bacterial infections handle antibiotics, including newer agents that may be required if bacterial resistance is confirmed or increases. The data will be used to optimise treatment, thus reducing mortality and potential adverse drug effects, in PNG nad other tropical countries, and may have implications for the developed world as well.
Enhancing Clinical Management Of Paediatric Malaria In Endemic Areas With Transmission Of Multiple Plasmodium Species
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$867,511.00
Summary
Malaria remains a major problem for children in developing countries especially where different types of the disease are common. This set of complementary studies, based at an established research site in PNG aims to develop new treatment strategies for childhood malaria. A novel method of giving medicine via a spray under the tongue for sick children before arrival at hospital and modified dosing schedules of an old drug used for treating parasites hidden in the liver will be studied.
Do Exposures Before Conception Influence The Risk Of Asthma In Offspring?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,586.00
Summary
Asthma and poor lung function are major causes of public health issues. Emerging evidence suggests adverse exposures even before the conception of a child may cause these conditions. The proposed project is part of an international study across generations to identify these factors. This study will provide novel evidence to guide interventions and identify studies to advance this area further. These original findings will be of great importance both nationally and internationally.
Developmental-associated Dysregulation Of Innate Anti-microbial Immunity In Early Life As A Determinant Of Susceptibility To Atopic Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,334.00
Summary
Previous NHMRC-sponsored research from the applicants has demonstrated that one of the strongest risk factors for subsequent development of asthma is having chest infections during infancy that are so severe that they trigger symptoms of fever and wheeze. It is not known what predisposes susceptible infants to these severe infections, and this project will attempt to define the mechanisms of susceptibility.
Waxing And Waning Of Asthma During Transition From The Teens To Adulthood: Identification Of Immunophenotypic Markers To Predict Disease Trajectory And Guide Development Of Treatment Strategies To Prevent Progression To Chronicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$736,166.00
Summary
The project will seek to identify biomarkers in teenage/young adult asthmatics that can distinguish between those who are "growing out" of the disease, versus those who are progressing towards chronic severe asthma. This knowledge will inform the development of more effective treatment programs for this age group.
Using Systems Biology To Understand Asthma Exacerbations And Develop Better Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$791,734.00
Summary
Our research using cutting-edge technology has demonstrated that not all asthma attacks are the same. There are two major subtypes of asthma attacks. Currently, we use the same medication to treat all asthma attacks, and this medication targets the symptoms rather than the cause. This research will conduct detailed laboratory studies to understand what causes the two different types of asthma attacks, and test new treatments that are targeted and tailored to each type of asthma attack.
Increased Airway Smooth Muscle Mass As An Independent Determinant Of Asthma Pathogenesis And Severity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,966.00
Summary
Asthma is a major health burden to the community. The most common form of the disease is allergic asthma and it is thought that allergic inflammation drives associated airway abnormalities including increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass. This study tests a new hypothesis that airway abnormalities and allergy have separate origins but combine to produce allergic asthma, and it’s the individuals with the greatest amount of ASM who develop clinically severe asthma.