Modern Chemical Exposures In Utero And In Infancy, And Their Impact Upon Early Neurodevelopmental Outcomes In The Barwon Infant Study, An Unselected Birth Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$138,353.00
Summary
I am a paediatric doctor interested in the effects of modern industrial chemicals on children’s development. Even in the womb babies are exposed to industrial chemicals and we know some, like lead, are harmful to developing brains. I am interested in other chemicals that are now suspected to affect development, including the polybrominated diphenyl esters (PBDEs), and I intend to investigate this as part of the Barwon Infant Study, which follows 1250 children from before birth to 3 years.
Developing An Early Life-course Population Mental Health Monitoring System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$68,779.00
Summary
I will lead the development of the first set of population mental health indicators, spanning birth to young adulthood (0-24 years). I bring 15 years' experience as a leader in high quality government surveillance to this work. I will review evidence for key indicators and will test implementation of seven connected surveys in two rural Victorian communities. My research will address known evidence gaps in the fields of mental health and epidemiology, as well as support community-level responses
Caregiving Practices And Child Development: A Cross-cultural Perspective.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$109,487.00
Summary
This program of research will investigate the cross-cultural differences in the types and prevalence of cognitive and socio-emotional caregiving practices in a community sample of parents in a low income country. The influence of cultural beliefs, caregiver distress and the common challenges experienced by caregivers will be explored and it will also test the effectiveness of an innovative psychological intervention to facilitate optimal child development.
“Genetics, epigenetics, and the environment” is often used to describe a complex that results in the production of a phenotype; the latter two usually blamed with missing heritability. We know that the environment affects dental development and dental caries susceptibility, but we have little information about the precise molecular mechanisms linking the environment to observed phenotypes. This study interorgates the role of epigenetics in dental development and dental caries.
Infant Motor Development Between 0-4 Months: A New Look At The Effect Of The ‘back To Sleep’ Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,182.00
Summary
An unexpected consequence of the Back to Sleep program is an increased incidence of deformational plagiocephaly (DP), or “flat head syndrome”, and concern about delayed development. It is not clear whether the current recommendation to provide ‘tummy-time’ play for infants when awake is the best way to prevent DP. Development of typical infants 0-4 months and infants with DP will be investigated and parents surveyed as a basis for development and trialling of a new DP prevention initiative.
Improving The Policy Development Process In Aboriginal Health: A Case Study Of Food And Nutrition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,845.00
Summary
This research investigates the process through which policy decisions are made in the field of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. In this project, nutrition will be used as a case study to examine the policy-making process. This research is important because nutrition is a significant public health issue for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. However, little is known about the process by which nutrition and other health issues become policy priorities for Government
A vaccine against the bacteria Group A streptococcus (‘strep’) could prevent common minor infections like sore throat and school sores as well as deadly ones like necrotising fasciitis (‘flesh eating disease’). It would also reduce long-term heart (rheumatic heart disease) and kidney problems. We are going to try and deliberately give a sore throat to adult volunteers under very close medical supervision so that we can learn more about immunity to strep and to help make and test new vaccines.
Evaluation Of A Healthy Lifestyle Intervention Targeting Young People Living In Out-of-home Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,099.00
Summary
Recent National findings reveal that on average, 45% of Australian children aged 5-14 years watch TV for at least 2 hours/day. Given the risk for adverse cognitive, behavioral and physical health outcomes related to excessive TV viewing, including childhood obesity, there is an urgent need to design effective interventions to reduce unhealthy TV habits in the early years. My project responds to this need.
Improving The Quantity, Quality, Relevance And Conduct Of Clinical Trials Of Medicines In Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$102,576.00
Summary
I am a specialist clinical trials pharmacist focussed on the challenges associated with the conduct of medicinal trials in children. My intention is to collect evidence to determine the best strategies for improving the quantity, quality and relevance of clinical trials in children. This will help to ensure safe and effective age-appropriate drug therapies for children and improve the health outcomes of our children.
Epilepsy And Stress: An Explanatory Electrophysiological Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,233.00
Summary
Epilepsy is one of the most common recurrent neurological disorders worldwide, affecting between 1 and 2% of the population. The cascade of events culminating in epilepsy, or the role of seizures in altering brain structures and circuits has been difficult to define. Previous work from our group has shown that stress markedly accelerates the process of epilepsy development. I am developing a model of brain functioning from observed brain cells to chart the changes associated with seizures, stres ....Epilepsy is one of the most common recurrent neurological disorders worldwide, affecting between 1 and 2% of the population. The cascade of events culminating in epilepsy, or the role of seizures in altering brain structures and circuits has been difficult to define. Previous work from our group has shown that stress markedly accelerates the process of epilepsy development. I am developing a model of brain functioning from observed brain cells to chart the changes associated with seizures, stress, and potential treatments.Read moreRead less