Understanding Childhood Speech And Language Disorders: What Goes Wrong, When And Why It Matters?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,849.00
Summary
My vision for the next five years is to improve greatly the diagnosis, prevention and management of childhood communication impairments. Making a difference for these children and their families means improving our understanding of how speech and language develops, what goes wrong, when, and why it matters. My research program will target each of these topics and outline a plan for translation, that is how to get the new knowledge and best evidence into practice.
The Relationship Between Cognition And Interictal Discharges: Language Organization And Spike Localisation In BECTS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$216,500.00
Summary
Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS, rolandic epilepsy) is a common cause of seizures in primary school children. Despite this it is poorly understood. Although seizures are infrequent, brainwave recordings (electroencephalography, EEG) reveal striking abnormalities present much of the time. Large, sharply contoured brain waves (spikes) are seen frequently, increasing during sleep. The pattern of the spikes, and the characteristic nature of seizures have suggested the epilepsy ari ....Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS, rolandic epilepsy) is a common cause of seizures in primary school children. Despite this it is poorly understood. Although seizures are infrequent, brainwave recordings (electroencephalography, EEG) reveal striking abnormalities present much of the time. Large, sharply contoured brain waves (spikes) are seen frequently, increasing during sleep. The pattern of the spikes, and the characteristic nature of seizures have suggested the epilepsy arises near the face area of the motor cortex, but this remains unproven. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a safe and non-invasive way of imaging cerebral function, to reveal the brain at work . The technology is contributing to major advances in understanding of basic human functions such as language. Recent developments at the Brain Research Institute in Melbourne mean it is now possible to record EEG during fMRI. This has permitted visualisation of spike activity in the brain. The BRI is the only centre in Australia, and one of only a handful in the world that is able to perform such studies. One purpose of this study is reveal the location of spikes in BECTS. Recent studies have revealed subtle language and learning difficulties in BECTS children. Our preliminary EEG-fMRI studies have suggested spikes arise from brain regions adjacent to important language areas. It is possible that the frequent spikes of BECTS are interfering with adjacent cognitive processes. In addition to spike mapping, we will perform functional imaging of language to look for interactions between spike and language areas, and compare with patterns of language activation seen in normal children. The demonstration of spike related affects on cognition may lead to a reassessment of current epilepsy management strategies, which focus predominately on seizure control. This study, with researchers in Cairns and Melbourne, shares the benefits of world class research with regional Australia.Read moreRead less
Towards improved communication for medication safety: addressing the complexities of managing medications in hospitalised children. This study considers how health professionals, children and family members communicate about the management of medications in hospital. Comprehensive insights into the complexities involving communication processes will inform policies and programs directed at promoting and maintaining optimal management of medications in hospitalised children.
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.
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.
The aim of this proposal is to evaluate a novel therapy option for children with a genetic disorder called mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS). MPS arise from the build up of complex carbohydrates in cells within the body due to the deficiency of an enzyme required for their degradation. By decreasing the synthesis of carbohydrate we can manipulate the level of stored carbohydrate and alleviate the pathology associated with MPS. The novel therapy is based on a chemical modification of glucose that inhib ....The aim of this proposal is to evaluate a novel therapy option for children with a genetic disorder called mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS). MPS arise from the build up of complex carbohydrates in cells within the body due to the deficiency of an enzyme required for their degradation. By decreasing the synthesis of carbohydrate we can manipulate the level of stored carbohydrate and alleviate the pathology associated with MPS. The novel therapy is based on a chemical modification of glucose that inhibits carbohydrate synthesis and is termed substrate deprivation therapy.Read moreRead less
Investigating Autism Spectrum Disorder: Causes And Efficacious Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,501.00
Summary
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a growing public health concern, but we know little about the causes nor treatments for the condition. During the period of this Fellowship I will seek to make significant inroads into these unknowns, by performing large-scale international research into the genetic, biochemical and neurological causes of ASD, and conducting a series of clinical treatment trials in collaboration with research groups from across the world.
The Cherbourg Project: Building Capacity For FASD Screening And Diagnosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$717,501.00
Summary
The House of Representatives 2012 Inquiry into Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) noted the particular need for research, training and capacity-building relating to FASD in ATSI communities.This project, in collaboration with Cherbourge community in Queensland and the WHO, addresses several Inquiry recommendations by providing: training to increase local capacity to screen/diagnose FASD; community education; diagnostic service for FASD; FASD prevalence data; and data to inform service provi ....The House of Representatives 2012 Inquiry into Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) noted the particular need for research, training and capacity-building relating to FASD in ATSI communities.This project, in collaboration with Cherbourge community in Queensland and the WHO, addresses several Inquiry recommendations by providing: training to increase local capacity to screen/diagnose FASD; community education; diagnostic service for FASD; FASD prevalence data; and data to inform service provision and prevention programs.Read moreRead less
Centre For Research Excellence In Speech And Language Neurobiology (CRE-SLANG)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,491,340.00
Summary
Half a million Australian children have a speech/language disorder, tripling their changes of poor academic outcomes, limited employment options and social isolation. Current speech therapy is limited, focusing on symptoms and ignoring evidence on underlying aetiologies. By identifying and translating findings on new genes and brain pathways leading to speech and language disorders, we will transform detection, diagnosis, prognosis and genetic counselling of affected children and their families.
Cumulative Harm: Reducing child abuse through improved decision-making. In 2005/06 56,000 cases of child abuse were substantiated in Australia, and this figure is rising exponentially. Disillusionment is growing with an incident based approach to children's safety which fails to either acknowledge or intervene effectively in the cumulative effects of harm to the child's development and well-being. This project uses the leverage of new legislation to re-focus on an earlier intervention with vulne ....Cumulative Harm: Reducing child abuse through improved decision-making. In 2005/06 56,000 cases of child abuse were substantiated in Australia, and this figure is rising exponentially. Disillusionment is growing with an incident based approach to children's safety which fails to either acknowledge or intervene effectively in the cumulative effects of harm to the child's development and well-being. This project uses the leverage of new legislation to re-focus on an earlier intervention with vulnerable children at risk of cumulative harm within a hospital setting. An interdisciplinary lens is bought to the development of new knowledge to provide a better and healthier start to life for this group of children.Read moreRead less