Impact Of Extreme Prematurity Or Extreme Low Birthweight On Young Adult Health And Well-Being: The Victorian Infant Collaborative Study (VICS) 1991-92 Longitudinal Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$725,496.00
Summary
Significant advances in medical care have increased survival of the tiniest and most premature babies. Those who have benefited from modern medicine are now in their mid-20s. We know they have more problems in childhood and adolescence compared with those born full term. However, we know little about their health problems in adulthood. This study will inform us of adult health problems in this vulnerable group and provide vital information about the best care for this increasing group of adults.
A Population-based Birth Cohort Study Of The Development Of Atherosclerosis In Early Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,067.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke) are leading causes of death and illness in adults in Australia. The changes in blood vessels that lead to these conditions begin before birth. This project investigates the factors that contribute to these early changes from birth onwards, and will facilitate development of targeted prevention in high-risk groups to reduce cardiovascular disease in later life.
A European DNA Bank For Deciphering The Missing Heritability Of Alzheimer's Disease (EADB)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,556,995.00
Summary
Understanding the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the best ways of improving our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of disease development. There is evidence that genetic factors account for up to 80% of the risk for AD. Recent advances in genetics still explain <50% of this risk. This proposal will help two major Australian studies to partner with a large European consortium in trying to understand the “missing” heritability, using existing and novel genetic data.
Mechanisms Of Escape From Progesterone-induced Suppression: Role In Normal And Preterm Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,970.00
Summary
Prematurity caused by preterm birth is the leading cause of death and disease among newborns in Australia. Here we will define how the length of pregnancy is determined by the opposing actions of progesterone, which maintains pregnancy, and prostaglandins, which induce labour. We will demonstrate the mechanism by which the actions of the two hormones are balanced in normal pregnancy and disrupted in preterm labour. We will show that preterm birth can be prevented by correcting the disorder.
Epigenetic Regulation Of Inflammatory Genes In The Fetal Membranes: Role In Term And Preterm Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,534.00
Summary
Preterm birth is the leading cause of death among newborns and the biggest contributor to disability among infants. Here we propose research to define the mechanism that controls the length of pregnancy and is disrupted in preterm birth. Specifically, we will determine what causes the repression of the labour-promoting inflammatory genes in the uterus during pregnancy and what activates them at labour. We will identify new targets for interventions to block or prevent preterm birth.
Premature birth is a major cause of neonatal death and intellectual and other handicaps among the survivors. While neonatal intensive care has improved the survival of premature babies, there has been no reduction in the number of premature babies born, in fact the numbers are increasing. Our inability to reduce premature birth is partly related to our lack of knowledge of the physiological processes that lead to normal labour. As a result many of our drugs for women in premature labour are not ....Premature birth is a major cause of neonatal death and intellectual and other handicaps among the survivors. While neonatal intensive care has improved the survival of premature babies, there has been no reduction in the number of premature babies born, in fact the numbers are increasing. Our inability to reduce premature birth is partly related to our lack of knowledge of the physiological processes that lead to normal labour. As a result many of our drugs for women in premature labour are not very effective. We have recently identified a novel pathway that regulates the activity of the muscle cells that form the uterus. This project seeks to understand the biochemical processes that change a muscle cell so that it begins to contract actively at the end of pregnancy. Specifically the project will examine two proteins called HSP20 and HSP27. These proteins have recently been reported to play a critical role in the contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle cells in the heart and blood vessels. We have identified for the first time that these proteins are also present in the muscle of the human uterus. It is likely that they play a critical role in regulating the contractions of the uterus. By understanding this process better we may be able to design better treatments to prevent premature birth.Read moreRead less
Premature birth is a major cause of neonatal death and intellectual and other handicaps among the survivors. While neonatal intensive care has improved the survival of premature babies, there has been no reduction in the number of premature babies born, in fact the numbers are increasing. Our inability to reduce premature birth is partly related to our lack of knowledge of the physiological processes that lead to normal labour. As a result many of our drugs for women in premature labour are not ....Premature birth is a major cause of neonatal death and intellectual and other handicaps among the survivors. While neonatal intensive care has improved the survival of premature babies, there has been no reduction in the number of premature babies born, in fact the numbers are increasing. Our inability to reduce premature birth is partly related to our lack of knowledge of the physiological processes that lead to normal labour. As a result many of our drugs for women in premature labour are not very effective. Our work has shown that a hormone called corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) made in the placenta plays a critical role in determining the length of a pregnancy. We have measured the levels of this hormone in the blood of pregnant women and shown that it increases more rapidly than normal in women who deliver prematurely and more slowly than normal in women who deliver late. It acts as a kind of clock to determine the length of pregnancy. What is not known is how this hormone acts to bring on labour. What is particularly puzzling is that some of the actions of the CRH seem likely to cause the uterus to relax rather than to contract. We wish to test the idea that the rapidly rising levels of this hormone in late pregnancy cause changes in the uterus that stop the pathways to relaxation and lead to contraction. To perform these studies we will use small pieces of uterus donated with informed consent from women undergoing caesarean section. The results of these studies may allow us to design better ways of preventing premature birth and prevent many cases of cerebral palsy and intellectual handicap.Read moreRead less
The Australian Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes And Practice Patterns Study (PDOPPS)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$489,749.00
Summary
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a form of home dialysis that is both substantially cheaper and associated with better early survival than standard hospital-based haemodialysis. Its use in Australia has been severely limited by poor outcomes compared to the rest of the world. This international study aims to identify “real world” PD centre practices that will lead to better outcomes for Australian patients, greater uptake of home dialysis and health savings of tens of millions of dollars annually.
Australian Longitudinal Study Of Heroin Dependence: An 18-20yr Prospective Cohort Study Of Mortality, Abstinence, And Psychiatric And Physical Health Comorbidity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,210,319.00
Summary
The burden associated with heroin dependence is undeniable. But little is known about the natural history and long-term course of heroin dependence; knowledge that is critical for informing the development of new treatment interventions, health care planning and service delivery. We propose to extend our study of 615 Australians with heroin dependence, recruited in 2001-2002, to 18-20 years follow-up to answer critical questions about the long-term impact of this condition.
This project will test if the ratio of the two different estrogens found in the blood of pregnant women is the critical factor in determining the onset of contractions in the uterus at labour. The studies will also determine the role of a newly discovered receptor for estrogens in allowing powerful contractions at labour. Results will allow development of new treatments to prevent premature birth that block the actions of estrogen at this new receptor or change the ratio of the two estrogens.