Birth defects can have devastating consequences for individuals and their families, and improving our ability to diagnose and screen for these disorders has implications for treatment and reproductive options. We are using the mouse as a model to discover genes important in a new class of birth defects caused by dysfunction of a hair-like cellular projection known as the cilium.
The Contribution Of Maternal Obesity And Gestational Weight Gain To Preschool Child Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,213.00
Summary
Obesity affects more than 43 million children 0-5 years world-wide, and 21% of Australian children 2-3 years of age. The intra-uterine environment plays a key role in the development of later health and disease, representing a critical period in the subsequent programming of obesity. We will evaluate health outcomes (including growth/adiposity) for infants at 3 years, whose mother’s participated in a randomised trial evaluating an antenatal dietary intervention to limit gestational weight gain.
Quantifying The Role Of Epigenetic Factors In Neurocognitive Outcomes: A Twin Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,516,790.00
Summary
We aim to identify the environmental factors in early life that contribute towards an individual brain development using MRI brain scans and related psychological skills measured in late childhood. We are using twins to better understand differences in their early life environments independent of genetics.
Limbic Maturational Changes In Adolescence And Young Adulthood (LIMCA) - A Longitudinal Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,897.00
Summary
Structural and cognitive changes of the limbic regions have been linked to number psychiatric disorders. A thorough understanding of the dynamics of healthy maturation of these brain areas with age is necessary. The main aim of this research is to longitudinally study and model the neuro-developmental changes of the limbic region during adolescence and young adulthood. These will provide an invaluable template in identifying deviant patterns of limbic development in children with neuropsychiatri ....Structural and cognitive changes of the limbic regions have been linked to number psychiatric disorders. A thorough understanding of the dynamics of healthy maturation of these brain areas with age is necessary. The main aim of this research is to longitudinally study and model the neuro-developmental changes of the limbic region during adolescence and young adulthood. These will provide an invaluable template in identifying deviant patterns of limbic development in children with neuropsychiatric disorders.Read moreRead less
The Effect Of Probiotics On The Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Of Preterm Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,068,804.00
Summary
Premature infants are at increased risk of abnormal development, meaning problems with their ability to walk, talk, think, hear and see. Giving premature babies ‘good bacteria’ (probiotics) may help them survive, but little is known about how probiotics affect long-term development. This is the first large study to assess the development of children who were involved in a trial of probiotics following their premature birth.
The Lililwan Project: Prevalence Of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders In The Fitzroy Valley
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$777,758.00
Summary
Alcohol use in pregnancy is widespread in Australia. Alchohol may cause physical and developmental problems in the developing child including the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). This collaborative project, initiated and led by Aboriginal leaders in the Fitzroy Valley in the remote East Kimberley, WA, will establish the prevalence of FASD, health and developmental problems in a population of primary school-aged, predominantly Aboriginal children and develop strategies for service deliver ....Alcohol use in pregnancy is widespread in Australia. Alchohol may cause physical and developmental problems in the developing child including the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). This collaborative project, initiated and led by Aboriginal leaders in the Fitzroy Valley in the remote East Kimberley, WA, will establish the prevalence of FASD, health and developmental problems in a population of primary school-aged, predominantly Aboriginal children and develop strategies for service delivery, prevention and education.Read moreRead less
The Burden Of Late Preterm Birth On Brain Development And 2 Year Outcomes – A Prospective, Longitudinal Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$838,690.00
Summary
80% of preterm babies are born from 32-36 weeks’ gestation, and are late preterm (LPT). LPT children have more learning problems, but why this occurs is unknown. This study aims to understand the effect of LPT birth on brain development. We will do brain scans at term and assess development at 2 years of age of 200 LPT and 200 full-term children. We expect LPT babies will have subtle alterations in brain development compared with term controls which will be associated with delayed development.
Neurodevelopmental Outcome After Sevoflurane Versus Dexmedetomidine/remifentanil Anaesthesia In Infancy: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$825,787.00
Summary
Evidence in animals show that some anaesthetics affect the developing brain. Some human data also show a link between childhood surgery and poorer neurodevelopmental outcome. It is unknown if this association is due to the anaesthetic. Our recent GAS trial showed no evidence for toxicity after 1 hour of anaesthesic but many children have longer anaesthetics. We plan to enrol 420 infants in a study comparing neurodevelopmental outcome after 2 different anaesthetics for surgery lasting >2 hours ....Evidence in animals show that some anaesthetics affect the developing brain. Some human data also show a link between childhood surgery and poorer neurodevelopmental outcome. It is unknown if this association is due to the anaesthetic. Our recent GAS trial showed no evidence for toxicity after 1 hour of anaesthesic but many children have longer anaesthetics. We plan to enrol 420 infants in a study comparing neurodevelopmental outcome after 2 different anaesthetics for surgery lasting >2 hours.Read moreRead less
Aberrant Ependymal Development And The Formation Of Hydrocephalus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$660,005.00
Summary
Foetal hydrocephalus is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition associated with severe intellectual impairment. Breakdown of the ependymal cell layer, which acts as a barrier between brain tissue and the ventricular space, is a major cause of hydrocephalus. Despite the importance of these cells, we have little understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate their production. This project will identify critical signalling pathways governing the establishment of the ependymal layer.
Motor problems, ranging from clumsiness to cerebral palsy, are one of the most common adverse outcomes in children born early. This study will investigate the motor development of children born <30 weeks’ gestation compared with peers born at term from birth to 5 years. We will determine whether early clinical evaluations or neuroimaging in the newborn period can predict later motor impairment at 5 years to be able to identify those who will benefit most from early intervention.