An Integrated Approach To Inotropic Support In Preterm Neonates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$694,449.00
Summary
Poor cardiovascular function in preterm babies can lead to inadequate blood flow to the brain and brain injury. Current treatments to improve heart function are often ineffective. This study will examine the effects of treatment on different parts of the cardiovascular system, and how these effects interact. It will identify reasons for the lack of effectiveness and provide insight which will help to design better treatments for preterm babies.
A Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomised Trial (SMART) Of Nursing Interventions To Reduce Pain Associated With Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$713,418.00
Summary
Modern chemotherapy treatments can result in damage to the peripheral nerves, resulting in a condition called peripheral neuropathy. This condition is characterised by a range of sensory and functional changes that can cause pain and reduced ability to perform daily activities. This project will test various non-pharmacological pain management measures to determine if they are effective in improving the quality of life of patients who experience this problem.
Enhanced Sensory Perception Via Jitter Reduction And Neural Synchronisation Evoked By Subsensory Electrical Noise Stimulation – Restoring Sensitivity In Peripheral Neuropathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,473.00
Summary
The elderly and patients with diabetes are at high risk of losing sensation in their feet and currently no treatment for this condition exists. This loss of feeling leads to falls, fractures and foot ulcers, which in many cases end with amputation. We have developed a new subsensory stimulation technique which for the first time restores lost sensation. Development of this novel treatment is made possible by a multi-disciplinary team of engineers, neuroscientists, physiologists and podiatrists.
The Final Common Channel: Measurement Of Nerve Excitability In Epilepsy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$301,376.00
Summary
Epilepsy may be due to either one single genetic mutation or a combination of several gene-environment interactions, affecting how ion channels function. It is not possible to directly interrogate channels in the living human brain but, because similar channels are found in peripheral nerve, much may be learned about aberrant channel function from peripheral nerve. This project aims to measure peripheral nerve excitability in epilepsy patients, using it as a marker of the final common pathway of ....Epilepsy may be due to either one single genetic mutation or a combination of several gene-environment interactions, affecting how ion channels function. It is not possible to directly interrogate channels in the living human brain but, because similar channels are found in peripheral nerve, much may be learned about aberrant channel function from peripheral nerve. This project aims to measure peripheral nerve excitability in epilepsy patients, using it as a marker of the final common pathway of channel dysfunction.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Role Of Regulatory T Cells In Chronic Pain Following Nerve Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$587,046.00
Summary
Neuropathic pain is a debilitating condition of chronic pain that develops after damage to the nervous system, and lacks an effective treatment. This project focuses on the novel hypothesis that the immunosupressive regulatory T cells and their mediators play a critical role in controlling neuroinflammation and pain hypersensitivity following peripheral nerve injury. This study promises to enhance our understanding of the neuroimmune activation in neuropathic pain and offers novel approaches for ....Neuropathic pain is a debilitating condition of chronic pain that develops after damage to the nervous system, and lacks an effective treatment. This project focuses on the novel hypothesis that the immunosupressive regulatory T cells and their mediators play a critical role in controlling neuroinflammation and pain hypersensitivity following peripheral nerve injury. This study promises to enhance our understanding of the neuroimmune activation in neuropathic pain and offers novel approaches for pain management.Read moreRead less
Blocking The Factor XII- Kallikrein Pathway To Limit Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,995.00
Summary
Artery weakening is present in 2-5% of older adults and is an important cause of sudden death. The investigators have generated substantial preliminary data from a previous NHMRC project implicating the contact pathway in the process of artery weakening. In the current project the investigators will examine the ability of agents which are currently available or being developed for patient use in limiting the process of artery degeneration using established pre-clinical models.
Assessment Of The Efficacy Of A Brief Behaviour Intervention Designed To Improve Physical Activity In Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$691,206.00
Summary
The treatment options for patients with poor peripheral blood supply are currently limited. In particular there are limited means to help patients' to change poor health behaviours. This trial assesses the efficacy of a validated means to improve physical activity using motivational interviewing techniques in patients with poor peripheral blood supply.
Fenofibrate In The Management Of AbdoMinal Aortic AnEurysm (FAME)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,713.00
Summary
Approximately 5% of men and 1% of women aged over 60 years develop weakening of the main abdominal artery. Currently the management of artery weakening is focused on surgery with no effective medications available. In this study we will assess whether a drug which limits artery weakening in pre-clinical testing also shows evidence of inhibiting processes important in artery damage in patients. We believe this is a critical next step in the assessment of a promising new treatment.
A Pharmacological Approach To Define The Contribution Of Nav1.7 To Pain Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$501,467.00
Summary
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects the life of one in five Australians and has significant socioeconomic impact. Currently available pain killers often do not work, or have intolerable side effects. We have discovered the most selective blocker for a specific type of sodium channel that is a known pain target and will use this novel molecule to gain insight into the mechanisms of pain and to develop new pain killers.
Gene Identification For Inherited Peripheral Neuropathies By Applying Next Generation Sequencing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,058.00
Summary
Our goal is to study the biology underlying the death of motor and sensory nerves by identifying novel genes causing Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathy. Using massively parallel sequencing we will systematically analyse the novel DNA changes througout the genome in CMT families in which the underlying gene mutation is unknown. Discovery of genes causing inherited peripheral neuropathies will elucidate mechanisms causing neurodegeneration and lead to targeted therapeutic treatment strategies to ....Our goal is to study the biology underlying the death of motor and sensory nerves by identifying novel genes causing Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathy. Using massively parallel sequencing we will systematically analyse the novel DNA changes througout the genome in CMT families in which the underlying gene mutation is unknown. Discovery of genes causing inherited peripheral neuropathies will elucidate mechanisms causing neurodegeneration and lead to targeted therapeutic treatment strategies to prevent the death of motor and sensory nerves.Read moreRead less