Development Of A Computer-based Retinal Imaging Program For Identification Of People At Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$254,714.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and imposes an enormous financial and healthcare burden on the Australian community. This project will develop and deliver a novel clinical prediction tool, incorporating retinal vascular imaging and assessment, to improve identification of asymptomatic people who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease at an early stage, allowing implementation of preventative strategies and medical interventions to effectively prevent CV disease.
Preventing Early Language Delay In Primary Care Setting:cluster Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,133.00
Summary
The trial aims to lower the numbers of children with poor expressive language skills at ages 2 and 3 years, through a sustainable early language promotion program linked to the universal Victorian Maternal and Child Health (M and CH) service, attended by more than 75% of Victorian children at 12 months of age. The trial targets the 20% of toddlers most at risk of expressive language delay, by virtue of having limited or no spoken vocabulary at 18 months of age. It also aims to lower the numbers ....The trial aims to lower the numbers of children with poor expressive language skills at ages 2 and 3 years, through a sustainable early language promotion program linked to the universal Victorian Maternal and Child Health (M and CH) service, attended by more than 75% of Victorian children at 12 months of age. The trial targets the 20% of toddlers most at risk of expressive language delay, by virtue of having limited or no spoken vocabulary at 18 months of age. It also aims to lower the numbers of children with behaviour problems (strongly linked to language delay), to determine the acceptability and cost-effectiveness of the approach, and to determine whether it differentially benefits disadvantaged children.Read moreRead less
Better Methods For Individual Risk Prediction Of Complex Traits In Human Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$748,609.00
Summary
A genetic contribution to many common diseases is shown by an increased risk of disease in family members of diseased individuals. However, for each disease there are likely to be many hundreds of DNA variants each conferring a small increase in risk. This proposal is about the development of better statistical methods to predict disease from genome-wide genetic marker data. Individual risk prediction for disease is likely to become an integral part of Genomic Medicine in Australia.
Personalised Risk-directed Clot Prevention For Patients With Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Blood clots are a leading cause of death among cancer patients, second only to cancer itself. This EL1 program includes clinical and laboratory studies to assess the impact of personalised clot prevention for patients receiving cancer treatments in ambulatory care settings. Laboratory studies and evaluation of outcomes among ‘real-world’ patients with cancers at high risk of developing blood clots, will improve understanding of both clots and cancer, to advance research and clinical practice.
The FaXeS Study. Offering Fragile X Carrier Testing To Women: Comparing Prenatal And Preconception Screening.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,883.00
Summary
Fragile X syndrome is the leading cause of inherited intellectual disability. A genetic screening test is available to detect carriers of this condition. Using questionnaires and interviews we will directly compare carrier screening in pregnant and non-pregnant women in the general community, looking at issues such as informed decision-making, test uptake and its predictors and cost-effectiveness. This will be critical to inform policy and guidelines for genetic screening programs.
The Effectiveness Of A Community Based Program For Reducing The Incidence Of Falls Among The Elderly:A Randomized Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$206,604.00
Summary
Falls are the leading cause of hospitalization due to injury in elderly people, and are associated with substantial medical and rehabilitation costs, as well as social isolation and premature institutionalization for a significant number of people who fall. This study aims to reduce the economic and social burden of falls. A randomized controlled trial will evaluate the impact of a community based falls prevention program (C-BF) with an at-risk elderly population. The intervention is designed to ....Falls are the leading cause of hospitalization due to injury in elderly people, and are associated with substantial medical and rehabilitation costs, as well as social isolation and premature institutionalization for a significant number of people who fall. This study aims to reduce the economic and social burden of falls. A randomized controlled trial will evaluate the impact of a community based falls prevention program (C-BF) with an at-risk elderly population. The intervention is designed to improve elderly people's capacity to follow through with effective falls prevention strategies and to manage risks in their everyday lives, and hence to reduce the rate at which they experience falls. The outcome of this project will be a user friendly manual that will document the program in enough detail so that it can be easily implemented by health care professionals.Read moreRead less
A Novel Method For The Early Detection Of Cardiovascular Disease Through The Direct Measurement Of Tissue Wall Elasticit
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,000.00
Summary
Changes in the structure and function of blood vessels are an early stage in the development of arterial disease. A simple means of assessing this damage will allow for early detection of arterial disease and will provide a tool for monitoring outcomes of treatment and preventive medicine. We have developed a novel method for measuring vessel wall displacement throughout the cardiac cycle. This study aims to provide proof of principle data through the validation of these measurements against the ....Changes in the structure and function of blood vessels are an early stage in the development of arterial disease. A simple means of assessing this damage will allow for early detection of arterial disease and will provide a tool for monitoring outcomes of treatment and preventive medicine. We have developed a novel method for measuring vessel wall displacement throughout the cardiac cycle. This study aims to provide proof of principle data through the validation of these measurements against the physical properties of the vessel and application of the technique to a clinical setting.Read moreRead less
Identifying Glaucoma Risk Variants In The Norfolk Island Genetic Isolate
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$658,447.00
Summary
Primary open angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. In this project we will focus on the identification of functional genetic variants influencing development of this disorder, using a powerful whole exome sequencing approach in a large multigenerational pedigree from the Norfolk Island population isolate. The identification of genes influencing glaucoma development would provide invaluable clues to aid in defining the pathophysiology of this common disease.
Targetting Midlife Risk To Improve Latelife Cognition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,239.00
Summary
This study focuses on age-related decline in cognitive function in midlife.Early detection of people at risk will allow the introduction of health programs to reduce disease.This study would provide essential information on the role of hormones and vascular risk factors in cognitive decline.This information will fill a significant gap in our knowledge on the role of hormones and vascular factors and open a potential avenue of treatment to improve cognitive outcomes in ageing.
The changes of Alzheimer’s disease occur a decade prior to symptoms. Therefore we need longitudinal prospective data over 20 years to determine the risk factors in mid-life which, if modified, can improve our memory in late life. This study utilises a unique Australian Resource, the Women’s Healthy Ageing Study which has accrued information since 1991 on women aged 45-55 at baseline who are now 65-75 years of age. This study will develop guidelines for a preventative program.