Genetic And Environmental Determinants Of Tobacco And Alcohol Use Trajectories Into Adulthood:a Prospective Twin Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$172,875.00
Summary
Problems associated with the long-term use of tobacco and the abuse of alcohol permeate society. The development of effective programs for both the prevention and cessation of tobacco use and alcohol abuse requires an understanding of the natural history of the use of these substances. Most studies of the natural history of tobacco and alcohol use have followed individuals through secondary school and into the early 20s. These studies tell us about the psychosocial influences on these behaviours ....Problems associated with the long-term use of tobacco and the abuse of alcohol permeate society. The development of effective programs for both the prevention and cessation of tobacco use and alcohol abuse requires an understanding of the natural history of the use of these substances. Most studies of the natural history of tobacco and alcohol use have followed individuals through secondary school and into the early 20s. These studies tell us about the psychosocial influences on these behaviours but not about the role of genes on initiation and escalation of substance use. Yet recent advances in the neurophysiology of nicotine and alcohol receptivity and molecular genetics research suggest that genes play at least some role in determining the use of alcohol and tobacco. This proposal is for funding to continue a study designed to investigate the natural histories of alcohol and tobacco use among a sample of 1400 young Australian twins from adolescence to adulthood (early 30s). The study involves a telephone survey of these twins about their smoking and drinking behaviours, and among other things, their attitudes about smoking and drinking, the use of tobacco and alcohol by family and friends and presence of smoking bans at home and work. Because this study explicitly examines the influence of social and psychological factors on tobacco and alcohol use we will be able to determine the relative contribution of genes and psychosocial factors in tobacco and alcohol use. The proposed study is unique in its use of twins, its longitudinal design and its integration of genetics into psychosocial models of behaviour. The results of this study will help to clarify the role of genes in the development of tobacco use and alcohol abuse. Importantly the results of this study will help to identify those social and psychological factors that increase the likelihood of a genetically susceptible individual becoming dependent on nicotine and-or abusing alcohol.Read moreRead less
Early Detection Of Infants And Young Children With Autism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$268,250.00
Summary
Autism is a severely handicapping condition adversely affecting social interaction, communication, behaviour, interests, and activities. Autism requires treatment at an early age (before 4 years). Despite finding that parents notice problems with their child's development within the first 2 years, on average diagnoses are made around 6 years of age. Treatment for autism should begin as early as possible to improve outcome. Diagnosis requires specialist assessment and these services are limited. ....Autism is a severely handicapping condition adversely affecting social interaction, communication, behaviour, interests, and activities. Autism requires treatment at an early age (before 4 years). Despite finding that parents notice problems with their child's development within the first 2 years, on average diagnoses are made around 6 years of age. Treatment for autism should begin as early as possible to improve outcome. Diagnosis requires specialist assessment and these services are limited. Therefore it is not possible to undertake such assessments with all children who have developmental problems. This project therefore proposes to evaluate a method for screening large populations of children for autism, thus enabling timely and more appropriate referral to assessment services. Previous work by the investigators has developed a potential screening tool (DBC Early Screen) for autism in young children under 4 years with developmental delay that has high levels of accuracy in identifying those infants and children who are at risk of autism and require specialist assessment. This project proposes to undertake a community field trial to assess the accuracy and reliability of this early screen and to establish its suitability for wide use as a population screening tool. The preliminary testing of DBC Early Screen demonstrated that a community field trial was feasible. The results of this study will facilitate the referral of infants and young children to specialist autism assessment services, thus enabling the commencement of appropriate early intervention for children and their families from an early age.Read moreRead less
Long-term Efficacy Of An Oral Health Promotion Program In The Prevention Of Early Childhood Caries.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$165,664.00
Summary
The aim of the project is to test the long-term efficacy of oral health promotion program, the purpose of which is to lower the prevalence of tooth decay among young children. Tooth decay affects approximately 1 in 6 children by age of 3 years and 1 in 2 children by age of 5 years. The disease negatively influences all aspects of quality of life of child. Tooth decay is associated with infection, pain, and frequent hospitalisation. The proposed project is a follow-up of an randomised controlled ....The aim of the project is to test the long-term efficacy of oral health promotion program, the purpose of which is to lower the prevalence of tooth decay among young children. Tooth decay affects approximately 1 in 6 children by age of 3 years and 1 in 2 children by age of 5 years. The disease negatively influences all aspects of quality of life of child. Tooth decay is associated with infection, pain, and frequent hospitalisation. The proposed project is a follow-up of an randomised controlled trial (RCT), which started with enrolment of pregnant women. They were randomised into the test and control groups. Mothers in test group received 3 round of preventive oral health information in the form of anticipatory guidance, the first round at enrolment, the second and third at 6, 12 months of age of child respectively. The information was mailed to their home address. All children were examined at age of 20 months of age. The children in the test group had lower prevalence of tooth decay compared to children in control group, (test group 1,7%, control group 9.6%). While the oral health information was effective in preventing decay at 20 months, longer-term follow-up is highly desirable. Therefore, we plan to follow-up the oral health of the children at 5 - 6 years old. It is anticipated, that 75% mothers from the trial will be contactable and will continue with their participation in the study. A third comparative group of children at the same age will be drawn from database of the South Australian School Dental Services to check if the children in the trial are representative of all SA school children. All children will be examined by dentists or school dental therapists after they enter school. The prevalence of the tooth decay and its mangement will be examined and compared among children from test and control groups and children from community.Read moreRead less
Attracting, preparing, and sustaining quality teachers in early education. This project aims to address the chronic shortage of early childhood teachers in Australia, which is compromising quality and return on investment in early education. The project expects to generate new understandings about this specialist teacher workforce through an innovative, ecological, longitudinal design that will track early childhood teachers’ career trajectories and develop a world-first tool to assess early chi ....Attracting, preparing, and sustaining quality teachers in early education. This project aims to address the chronic shortage of early childhood teachers in Australia, which is compromising quality and return on investment in early education. The project expects to generate new understandings about this specialist teacher workforce through an innovative, ecological, longitudinal design that will track early childhood teachers’ career trajectories and develop a world-first tool to assess early childhood teacher quality. Findings are expected to inform policy— including the Australian Government-endorsed 10-year national Workforce Strategy and the Australian Government's Early Years Strategy— to support the future sustained supply of a quality early childhood teacher workforce and improve outcomes for young children.Read moreRead less
Identification Of The Molecular Hallmarks Of Naevi Progressing To Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Melanomas are amongst the most commonly occurring cancers in Australia with >136,000 people living with a previous melanoma diagnosis. One of the highest risk factors for developing melanoma is having a high number of moles (or naevi). It is therefore important to fully understand how and why naevi develop into melanoma. It is hoped that early detection markers will be identified which will help identify early melanomas and as such improve patient outcome.
Early Detection And Early Intervention For Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,088,220.00
Summary
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is Australia’s 5th expensive health condition. Early Detection and effective early interventions are vitally needed to improve long-term outcomes. This fellowship develops and tests novel interventions to optimise neuroplasticity by improving early detection and physical, cognitive, psychological and health outcomes in children with CP. Earlier accurate detection of CP will ensure effective treatments utilise critical periods of brain development.
Enabling Personalised Risk Assessment For Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Bowel cancer screening will be most effective in disease prevention if it is applied proportionately to individual person's risk. Risk-based screening requires a risk calculator to assess personal risk. By utilising existing large, international datasets, I will identify the risk factors specific for different bowel cancer types and incorporate them to upgrade the prediction model that I have developed. This will achieve more accurate risk prediction to enable personalised risk-based screening.
Peer Delivered Early Intervention For Infants At High Risk Of Cerebral Palsy In Indigenous Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$286,891.00
Summary
This study explores the effectiveness of early detection and intervention for infants at risk of cerebral palsy in Indigenous Australia. Infants will be detected by 3 months, and randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups; home-based peer-delivered multi-domain intervention, or health advice. Infants receiving the novel intervention are expected to have improved developmental outcomes, and caregivers improved mental health.
Development Of Effective Biomarkers For The Diagnosis And Prognosis Of Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,062,585.00
Summary
Every year ~20,000 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 3,000 die of this disease. The current PSA test for the diagnosis of prostate cancer is not specific and this can result in incorrect diagnosis, unnecessary biopsies and lead to wrong treatments. We have discovered a novel change in the biology of prostate cancer. We will use this information to develop new tests for prostate cancer, which provide early accurate detection and can predict disease progression.