Respiratory-control Deficits In A Model Of Sleep Apnoea During Early Development: Mechanisms And Associations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$206,717.00
Summary
A recent study showed that it is possible to induce changes in the respiratory control system of piglets after birth. This new study will examine the mechanism of that change, and develop diagnostic tools that can detect whether similar changes have occurred in babies. The results will help to diagnose the complications of respiratory problems in young babies, and will guide research regarding the potential site of the abnormalities that predispose to SIDS. Piglets have very similar development ....A recent study showed that it is possible to induce changes in the respiratory control system of piglets after birth. This new study will examine the mechanism of that change, and develop diagnostic tools that can detect whether similar changes have occurred in babies. The results will help to diagnose the complications of respiratory problems in young babies, and will guide research regarding the potential site of the abnormalities that predispose to SIDS. Piglets have very similar development of the brain and respiratory system to human infants during early development after birth. This study uses piglets to model exposure to factors that occur during infancy, and thus model some of the common respiratory diseases, including risk factors for the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For example, infants may have upper-airway obstruction during sleep, or may get their face trapped in bed clothes so that they breath a mixture of lower oxygen and higher carbon-dioxide than that found in fresh air. We recently found that, during early development of piglets, repeated exposure to these types of gas mixes depressed respiratory responses tested later. Thus, respiratory responses become less vigorous over time, and this finding could explain how the exposures complicate infants' respiratory problems, or increase their risk for SIDS: Less vigorous responses mean the infant does not wake or move, the exposure becomes more severe, and may finally cause death. This study will examine piglets after such repeated exposure to: 1. find out whether heart-rate variability is reduced, in the same way as babies who later died from SIDS 2. develop a new diagnostic tool, to show the site where the abnormality is located 3. determine whether brain chemical alterations could explain the change in breathing 3. find out if exposure to cigarette smoke, known to increase respiratory problems in babies, causes even more severe disturbance of respiratory control in piglets.Read moreRead less
Repeated Prenatal Corticosteroids: Effects On Childhood Development, Behaviour, Growth And Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$265,900.00
Summary
Infants born preterm are at high risk of needing help with their breathing to survive. Corticosteroids given to the mother prior to preterm birth can substantially reduce these risks, although the beneficial effects of these drugs only seem to last seven days. Because of this there has been a tendancy to repeat the dose of prenatal steroids after seven days in women who remain at continued risk of very preterm birth. There has been no formal assessment of whether or not repeating the dose of pre ....Infants born preterm are at high risk of needing help with their breathing to survive. Corticosteroids given to the mother prior to preterm birth can substantially reduce these risks, although the beneficial effects of these drugs only seem to last seven days. Because of this there has been a tendancy to repeat the dose of prenatal steroids after seven days in women who remain at continued risk of very preterm birth. There has been no formal assessment of whether or not repeating the dose of prenatal corticosteroids is beneficial or harmful. In this clinical trial we will test what effect, if any, repeat doses of corticosteroids given to women who remain at risk of preterm birth, have on children at the age of two years Women are eligible for the trial if at of less than 32 weeks of pregnancy, they have received corticosteroids seven or more days ago, and they are considered to be at continued risk of preterm birth. Women are randomised to one of the two treatment groups. Half the women will receive a weekly intramuscular injection of corticosteroids up to the time of birth or 32 weeks gestation, whichever is earlier, whilst the risk of very preterm birth remains. The other half of the women will receive a saline placebo injection. Chance will decide which treatment the women receives. In this study all children who survive to 2 years corrected age will be assessed to see if they have any problems with their health, growth and development. In particular we will assess how well they can walk, talk, understand, see and hear. The trial will be able to assess whether repeat doses of prenatal corticosteroids are helpful or not for infants at risk of being born very preterm by comparing the short term effects on infant health after birth and whilst in hospital with the effects on the child's later health, growth and development. An economic assessment of repeat doses of prenatal corticosteroids will be made in these children.Read moreRead less
GABA Excitotoxicity, Neuroprotection And The Perinatal Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,970.00
Summary
Approximately 3.5% of babies die each year from brain damage due to perinatal asphyxia, a shortage of oxygen to the developing brain. Babies that survive face lifelong neurological disabilities, placing enormous burden on health, social and economic resources. Current treatments are inadequate. We will examine what occurs when there is a shortage of oxygen to the developing brain and investigate pathways to hypoxic brain injury that offer opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
The Astrocyte: A Crossroads In Cerebral Malaria Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,598.00
Summary
Malaria is an infectious disease that kills over 1 million people each year. It is prevalent in the Australian region, e.g. PNG and SE Asia. One of its most serious complications is cerebral malaria (CM), which affects the brain and is often fatal. This project will determine whether a very important cell in the brain, the astrocyte, is involved in the disease processes that lead to CM. This is highly relevant to the development of therapies that can be given along with anti-malarial drugs.