Discovery And Validation Of Alzheimer�s Disease Biomarkers In Human Plasma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,126.00
Summary
With life expectancy increasing Alzheimer�s disease (AD) poses a rising medical and socioeconomic challenge, emphasising the need for the development of prevention and treatment strategies. Such strategies will be most effective if administered early in the disease process, making early diagnosis critical to their success. The identification of biomarkers in this project, which are altered during the development of AD, will lead to the development of such a means to diagnosis AD at an early stag ....With life expectancy increasing Alzheimer�s disease (AD) poses a rising medical and socioeconomic challenge, emphasising the need for the development of prevention and treatment strategies. Such strategies will be most effective if administered early in the disease process, making early diagnosis critical to their success. The identification of biomarkers in this project, which are altered during the development of AD, will lead to the development of such a means to diagnosis AD at an early stage, when interventions will have the most impact.Read moreRead less
Investigating The Association Between Incarceration While Pregnant And Maternal And Infant Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,500.00
Summary
The number of women incarcerated within Australian prisons has doubled over the last ten years. Prisons contain large numbers of women from Indigenous backgrounds, women with a mental illness, women with violent partners and women with substance abuse problems. As such they constitute one of the most disadvantaged groups within Australian society and their children are unlikely to experience a healthy start to life. At any one time around 5-10% of women inside Australian prisons are pregnant. Th ....The number of women incarcerated within Australian prisons has doubled over the last ten years. Prisons contain large numbers of women from Indigenous backgrounds, women with a mental illness, women with violent partners and women with substance abuse problems. As such they constitute one of the most disadvantaged groups within Australian society and their children are unlikely to experience a healthy start to life. At any one time around 5-10% of women inside Australian prisons are pregnant. There has been no Australian research into the effect incarceration has upon pregnant women or their babies. Some believe that women who are incarcerated during their pregnancy may have better outcomes as they are outside their normal milieu with restricted access to alcohol and illicit drugs and separated from abusive partners. Others argue that the stress of incarceration and separation from family and friends could result in poorer pregnancy outcomes. This study will investigate whether being imprisoned while pregnant results in better or worse pregnancy and birth outcomes for Australian women and their babies.Read moreRead less
Novel Retinal Architectural Vascular Signs And Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease: The AusDiab Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$754,254.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes are major health problems. Identifying 'people at risk' is critical to design preventative strategies. We have developed new computer software to measure detailed characteristics of retinal vessels. By appling this system to predict CVD or diabetes in the AusDiab Study we aim to find 'the best combination of risk factors' to predict CVD and diabetes. This will open up the possibility of new risk assessment using a simple 'eye scan.'
Validating And Optimising The Analysis Of Magnetic Resonance Physiology Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$91,725.00
Summary
Combined electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is used to detect the anatomical areas in the brain that show electrical activity. Several centres worldwide use this technique to localise the seizure focus in patients with epilepsy. However, there is a lack of validation of the currently applied techniques. Current analysis methods have been developed and validated for other fMRI paradigms, such as motor tasks. It is not known whether the same principles ar ....Combined electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is used to detect the anatomical areas in the brain that show electrical activity. Several centres worldwide use this technique to localise the seizure focus in patients with epilepsy. However, there is a lack of validation of the currently applied techniques. Current analysis methods have been developed and validated for other fMRI paradigms, such as motor tasks. It is not known whether the same principles are applicable and optimal for fMRI-EEG data. The proposed project aims at validating and optimising the analysis strategies for fMRI-EEG data.Read moreRead less
Incidence And Risk Factors For Cancer After Liver And Cardiothoracic Transplantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$301,220.00
Summary
We will examine the incidence of cancer in patients before and after heart, lung, and liver transplantation. We will also examine the risk factors for cancer in these populations, including viral infection, time since transplantation, and the cause of organ failure. We will do this by linking data held by world-class Australian transplantation registries and the national cancer registry. Comparisons with other immune-deficient populations will allow valuable insight into the causes of cancer.
Chronic Disease Outcomes And Enhanced Primary Care In Seniors: A Cross-Jurisdictional Linkage Project
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,077,766.00
Summary
This project will provide evidence on how best to use the efforts of Australian GPs to obtain better outcomes in patients aged 65+ years who suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, asthma and emphysema, seizures and stomach disorders. It will also examine the best way that GP visits can promote healthier ageing in all older seniors, aged 75+ years. For each disease and in older seniors, the study will be able to detect which of the following factors ....This project will provide evidence on how best to use the efforts of Australian GPs to obtain better outcomes in patients aged 65+ years who suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, asthma and emphysema, seizures and stomach disorders. It will also examine the best way that GP visits can promote healthier ageing in all older seniors, aged 75+ years. For each disease and in older seniors, the study will be able to detect which of the following factors are the most important for better patient health: (i) seeing a GP more times, (ii) seeing a GP at more even intervals, (iii) seeing the same GP, or (iv) seeing a GP with a lot of experience in chronic diseases. Separate investigations will be made in older people living in hostels and nursing homes, because their needs may be different. The study will also evaluate the benefits of a major change that occurred to Medicare in 1999, when GPs were paid to perform health assessments and to prepare health plans (with other health workers) for patients with chronic health problems. The results will enable this important initiative to be further improved. The study will use a unique and new Australian research facility, which has brought together health data on the entire population of WA from both the State and Commonwealth levels, including information on Medicare use, pharmaceuticals, hospital stays and deaths. The facility works in such a way as to preserve patient and GP privacy. A strong feature of this research will be the degree of involvement of a representative and voluntary group of older Australian patients who attend GP clinics, and the GPs themselves, in advising the researchers on what's important to consumers and GPs.Read moreRead less
Opioid Dependent Persons In Pharmacotherapy: Blood Borne Viruses And Cancer Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$88,495.00
Summary
Opioid dependent persons in pharmacotherapy in NSW are at increased risk of death from cancer. We will examine the occurrence of infection with hepatitis and HIV among this high-risk population using data linkage. We will define the relationship between infection, the duration, frequency and type of pharmacotherapy, and cancer risk. The findings will guide effective strategies that will reduce cancer incidence and mortality among this group, and minimise the associated health care costs.