Targeted Delivery Of CD39 To Ischaemic Brain Improves Outcomes In Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$895,780.00
Summary
Stroke is most likely caused by a clot in one of the large blood vessels supplying the brain. The approach is to save the 'at-risk' area of brain with drugs that break-down clots and by manual removal of clots. These treatments are limited by timely access within 4.5 hours to larger hospitals. We are trialing a new drug that protects the brain better on its own and may add to the benefit of current treatments. Moreover, it can be given in any rural setting.
STOP-AUST: The Spot Sign And Tranexamic Acid On Preventing Intracerebral Haemorrhage Growth – AUStralasia Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$764,621.00
Summary
The STOP-AUST study is a randomized controlled trial with the aim of testing whether the medication tranexamic acid when given early within 4.5 hours of symptom onset is superior to standard care alone in stopping intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH, a bleeding into the brain) growth. Total 100 to 150 patients will be enrolled into the study.
This project will test whether activators of a novel estrogen receptor (GPER) can limit brain injury and functional deficits after stroke in mice. Part of the work will evaluate two drugs currently in clinical use for chronic conditions – tamoxifen and estradiol – as potential therapies for use in acute stroke. We will study the therapeutic time window of several drugs over up to a week after stroke, and identify key mechanisms underlying the protection by these GPER drugs.
Effectiveness Of Occupational Therapy Homevisits To Improve Participation After Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,774,083.00
Summary
This randomized controlled trial will determine the effectiveness of occupational therapy pre-discharge homevisits for people after stroke, with health economic evaluation conducted alongside to determine the cost-benefits. Recruiting adults from Australian rehabilitation hospitals, this study is designed to provide guidance for hospitals, policy-makers and clinical practice guideline developers on whether occupational therapy homevisits improve the level of community participation after stroke.
Antibody Targeted Thrombin-activatable ?-plasminogen Fusion Proteins And Nanocapsules For The Treatment Of Acute Thrombosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$536,951.00
Summary
The clinical consequences of atherosclerosis such as myocardial infarction and stroke are the major cause of mortality and morbidity in Australia. Clot dissolving agents have been proven to be beneficial in patients with acute myocardial infarction, vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke. However, the currently available drugs have major limitations in efficacy and in safety. The aim of this project is to develop novel drugs that have the potential to improve both significantly.
Affordable Technology To Improve Physical Activity Levels And Mobility Outcomes In Rehabilitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,465,653.00
Summary
Repetitive exercise is a crucial part of rehabilitation for people with impaired mobility but current exercise levels are insufficient for optimal outcomes. Affordable exercise-based video- and computer game technology could enable additional exercise for rehabilitation patients at a relatively low cost. We propose a randomised trial to establish the impact on physical activity and mobility of the addition of these technologies to usual care for people admitted to rehabilitation wards.
Better Targets And Drugs For Improving Stroke Outcome?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,085,972.00
Summary
Infection is highly prevalent and is one of the leading causes of death in stroke. It is now recognised that stroke impairs the immune system, raising the possibility that reversing this impairment can decrease the rate of infection after stroke. Therefore, the focus of this project is to identify the signalling pathways that underlie abnormal immune function after stroke and also assess the potential of a novel pharmacological approach for reducing bacterial infection in stroke patients.
Healthy Living After Stroke: An Online Intervention For Improving Stroke Survivor Health Behaviours And Quality Of Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,958.00
Summary
This study will test whether an online healthy lifestyles program helps survivors of stroke to live healthier lives, improve their quality of life and prevent a second stroke.
Post-stroke Hyperglycaemia – Treatment With Exenatide In Acute Ischaemic Stroke (TEXAIS) Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,266,149.00
Summary
Raised blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia) after a stroke is common. It reduces the efficacy of stroke treatments and results in worse outcomes. Insulin is not useful as a treatment for this as it causes frequent hypoglycaemia and does not improve clinical outcomes. Exenatide is a common diabetes drug that is simple to use and lowers blood glucose without hypoglycaemia. It will be tested in the Treatment with Exenatide in Acute Ischaemic Stroke (TEXAIS) trial.
An Australasian, Multi-centre, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial Of The Efficacy Of Fluoxetine In Improving Functional Recovery After Acute Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,306,367.00
Summary
Stroke is one of the top three causes of disability. Treatments that improve recovery after stroke are lacking. We reviewed the world literature and found a number of very small studies which, together, suggest that the antidepressant drug, fluoxetine, may improve the recovery in stroke patients. AFFINITY is a large trial in 1600 Australians and New Zealanders with stroke which aims to find out whether taking fluoxetine for 6 months after a stroke improves recovery compared to a placebo.