Understanding Gene-environment Interactions In Relation To Risk Of Age-related Cataract
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,514.00
Summary
Age-related cataract is the clouding of the lens, a leading cause of visual impairment among older persons. The burden of this common eye disease will only increase as the population ages. Besides age, other environmental and genetic risk factors that increase the risk of cataract have been identified. The aim of this research is to examine how the interplay of genes and environment contributes to age-related cataract formation, using population-based data of established studies.
Accelerated Longterm Forgetting In Children With Genetic Generalised Epilepsy: An Investigation Of The Temporal Trajectory And Contribution Of Executive Skills.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,204.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to determine which factors influence forgetting in typically developing children and in children with epilepsy. Specifically, we want to establish how forgetting occurs over time and whether it is influenced by other cognitive/thinking skills, such as strategies used to remember information, attention or resistance to interference. Moreover, we are interested in whether retention rates are affected by different types of learning materials (i.e. visual versus verbal).
There is strong evidence of an increased falls risk associated with cataract, a primary cause of vision impairment in older Australians. This research will determine factors contributing to increases in falls risk in people aged 70 years and older with cataract before surgery, between first and second eye surgery, and after second eye surgery. The findings can inform the optimal management of older people with cataract and limit negative health impacts of cataract-related injury and falls.
A Systematic Evaluation Of The Neurosurgical Application Of Peri-operative And Intra-operative MR Tractography In Different Paediatric Disease States
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,910.00
Summary
My research investigates changes in brain nerve fibre tracts/white matter in paediatric disease states and changes related to surgery by using nerve fibre tract imaging before, during and after surgery. It will also generate an imaging atlas to help understand white matter pathway development. It then serves as normative comparison to better understand aberrations in diseased neural pathways. The outcome will aid understanding in brain development, recovery and plasticity, and helps improve whit ....My research investigates changes in brain nerve fibre tracts/white matter in paediatric disease states and changes related to surgery by using nerve fibre tract imaging before, during and after surgery. It will also generate an imaging atlas to help understand white matter pathway development. It then serves as normative comparison to better understand aberrations in diseased neural pathways. The outcome will aid understanding in brain development, recovery and plasticity, and helps improve white matter lesion localisation.Read moreRead less
Understanding Predictors Of Fatigue After Brain Injury In Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$98,459.00
Summary
This research will examine what factors predict the fatigue children will experience after brain injury. This study is important because fatigue is one of the most commonly reported and challenging symptoms after traumatic brain injury. It significantly impacts on well being and quality of life after injury. We will assess fatigue of 120 children who suffer brain injury, from Toronto and Melbourne. This study will improve our understanding of the factors that predict fatigue following brain inju ....This research will examine what factors predict the fatigue children will experience after brain injury. This study is important because fatigue is one of the most commonly reported and challenging symptoms after traumatic brain injury. It significantly impacts on well being and quality of life after injury. We will assess fatigue of 120 children who suffer brain injury, from Toronto and Melbourne. This study will improve our understanding of the factors that predict fatigue following brain injury.Read moreRead less
Determinants Of Cardiovascular Health Over The Lifecourse In A Population-based Cohort Study Of Australian Families
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,161.00
Summary
This unique project will examine the heart health of roughly 3500 11-12 year olds in Australia's only nationally-representative children's study. It will then examine factors that may contribute to differing heart disease progression. We will characterise established factors (such as cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes), as well as measures of infection burden and inflammation to examine the innovative theory that childhood infection and/or its treatment contribute to poorer heart health.
Improving The Long-term Outcomes Of The Australian And New Zealand Fontan Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$89,836.00
Summary
The Fontan procedure is the last of a series of operations offered to children born with hearts with a single pumping chamber. Without this procedure these children would die, however, with this procedure their long-term expectations are still uncertain. This study will investigate the long-term outcomes of the Australian and New Zealand Fontan population and how these outcomes can be improved.
Invasive Staphylococcus Aureus Disease In Children; Epidemiology, Treatment And Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
This project will involve a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCT) on the treatment Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) as well as a local WA retrospective review to quantify disease burden, trends and outcome. A prospective 2-year multicentre Australian review will then identify variables that can predict complicated and uncomplicated SAB. This information will then be used to design a RCT protocol on risk-stratified treatment approaches for SAB in paediatrics.
Prevention Of Otitis Media With Probiotics In Indigenous Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,531.00
Summary
The project is searching for ‘good’ bacteria in the upper airways of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (A&TSI) children that have the ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria that causes middle ear disease. These ‘good’ bacteria constitute a possible probiotic and will be matched to commercially available probiotic strains. These probiotic strains will then be used to recolonise the upper airways of A&TSI children to determine whether we can reduce the recurrence of middle ear disease.
Cervical Auscultation In The Diagnosis Of Aspiration In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,183.00
Summary
Accurate assessment of aspiration risk is critical to prevent respiratory illness & recurrent hospitalisations in children.Current clinical tests have poor reliability in detecting aspiration.Cervical auscultation(CA) is a portable,low-cost instrumental technique that may improve the accuracy of clinical test.This research aims to determine accuracy & reliability of CA in detecting aspiration, compared to objective radiological evaluations.CA may improve aspiration detection & subsequently minim ....Accurate assessment of aspiration risk is critical to prevent respiratory illness & recurrent hospitalisations in children.Current clinical tests have poor reliability in detecting aspiration.Cervical auscultation(CA) is a portable,low-cost instrumental technique that may improve the accuracy of clinical test.This research aims to determine accuracy & reliability of CA in detecting aspiration, compared to objective radiological evaluations.CA may improve aspiration detection & subsequently minimise health system costs.Read moreRead less