The Diagnosis Of Depression In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$361,000.00
Summary
During the next 3 decades the number of persons older than 85 years will more than double, and the health care need of this burgeoning population are assuming greater importance. Among the most significant but often overlooked conditions in the elderly is depression, which is associated with marked disability, functional decline, risk of hospitalization, diminished quality of life, caregiver burden, increased service utilization, and mortality from comorbid medical conditions or suicide. The Wor ....During the next 3 decades the number of persons older than 85 years will more than double, and the health care need of this burgeoning population are assuming greater importance. Among the most significant but often overlooked conditions in the elderly is depression, which is associated with marked disability, functional decline, risk of hospitalization, diminished quality of life, caregiver burden, increased service utilization, and mortality from comorbid medical conditions or suicide. The World Health Organization predicts that by 2020 depression will be second only to heart disease as a cause of disability and premature death in established market economies. Depression is missed in approximately half of all elderly persons with mood disorder, and this frequency is certainly higher among individuals with dementia. The strategy to diagnose depression in dementia needs to be revised. Patients' reports are often unreliable due to memory problems and lack of full insight into their mood and behavioural changes. Caregivers may overestimate patients' symptoms of depression, especially when they themselves are depressed and overburdened, and clinicians' diagnoses are sometimes based on biased information and short observation periods. The situation in nursing homes is even worse, and there is a shortage of studies on how to diagnose depression in institutionalised patients with dementia. Using specific instruments to assess mood, behaviour and cognition we will develop valid and reliable criteria to diagnose depression in the different stages of dementia, and for patients living in different settings. This will facilitate the early recognition and adequate treatment of depression in individuals with dementia, it will greatly improve patient's quality of life, and will have a positive impact on caregivers' psychological well-being.Read moreRead less
Relaxin family peptides are small proteins that have numerous essential biological roles in the vascular system, brain and gut. The hormone relaxin is currently in Phase III clinical trials to treat heart failure and the other peptides show great potential as drugs to treat diseases including mental illnesses and obesity. My research focuses on developing drugs targeting the receptors for these important peptide systems and understanding how these drugs can be best used therapeutically
Novel Candidate Genes, Lung Function And Allergic Airways Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,892.00
Summary
We propose to study airway remodelling (structural changes to the airway) and in asthma using human samples and rodent models of asthma. We are particularly interested in investigating the role of trefoil peptide 2 and relaxin, two genes identified as determining lung function. To do this we need to understand the mechanisms of airway remodelling and its impact on disease severity in the patient. A strength of this study is availability of samples from a large study of human asthma.
The Role Of Interferon Signalling In The Regulation Of Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,381.00
Summary
This project focuses on the role that inflammation plays in the progression of the type of neural injury seen in stroke victims. This project targets a specific pathway that is thought to be involved in the regulation of general inflammation but has not been greatly investigated in terms of the neural injury seen in stroke. Understanding the actions of this pathway may lead to future therapies that can be used to prime the brain to react in a positive way to stroke.