The human brain has many subdivisions (�areas�) that are dedicated to vision, but in many cases their functions remain unclear. This project will study an area located deep in the brain, about which very little is known, and which appears to be affected from early stages in conditions such as Alzheimer�s disease. By understanding the patterns of electrical activity of cells in this region, and their connections with other brain areas, we hope to decipher their contribution to sensory cognition.
Vision problems in young children can impact on educational attainment, employment opportunities and quality of life. Although severe eye disease is recognised shortly after birth, there are no Australian population-based data on the magnitude, frequency and risk factors for conditions causing moderate or milder levels of visual impairment in one or both eyes, particularly refractive error, amblyopia and strabismus. There is widespread evidence that mild or unilateral visual impairment in young ....Vision problems in young children can impact on educational attainment, employment opportunities and quality of life. Although severe eye disease is recognised shortly after birth, there are no Australian population-based data on the magnitude, frequency and risk factors for conditions causing moderate or milder levels of visual impairment in one or both eyes, particularly refractive error, amblyopia and strabismus. There is widespread evidence that mild or unilateral visual impairment in young children is frequently unrecognised and that this can sometimes lead to important adverse health outcomes. While recent data suggests that early detection and treatment could reduce development of permanent and more severe disability in the long-term, there is no consensus that screening is cost effective. The proposed study will estimate the frequency and examine risk factors and impacts from a number of childhood vision conditions in over 4,000 children, aged 6 months to under 6 years. The population sample will be derived by performing door-to-door counts of children in a random cluster sample of census districts in the Sydney region, following letter box and media publicity. Based on similar surveys we have conducted, we expect to examine at least 75% of eligible children. They will have detailed vision and eye tests using standardised methods. We will align these to methods used in a large sister US study. The project will have sufficient power to provide accurate and reliable information about conditions affecting vision in young children. These data will inform debate and assist in designing interventions to reduce disability in children from visual impairments. The multidisciplinary team has expertise in epidemiology, paediatric eye disease and in conducting vision assessments, plus a strong track record in population-based research.Read moreRead less
Development Of A Novel Intervention For Training Stepping Ability To Reduce The Risk Of Falls In Older Adults.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,393.00
Summary
Stepping is often the last protective option to prevent a fall. This study will first modify and validate an interactive system for training stepping ability in older adults. The system will be also provide the capability of acquiring indeices of stepping ability in the home. We will investigate the effect of an in-home training program using this system on stepping ability and falls risk. Findings will inform future interventions for preventing falls.
Brain Plasticity Following Changes In Sensory Input
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$312,576.00
Summary
The research proposed here will investigate the mechanisms our brains use to adapt to changes in sensory input, as occurs following blindness, deafness, nerve damage or loss of a limb. The information gathered will help develop treatments for diseases associated with sensory loss, as well as those associated with deficits in our ability to learn and remember, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Fatigue, Attention And Sleep Disturbance After Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$328,050.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of disability in young people. A major obstacle to the rehabilitation of these young people and their return to work or study is their susceptibility to fatigue post-injury. Sleep disturbance is also often reported following TBI and this may accentuate fatigue. Suprisingly, little research has been conducted on the nature, causes or progression of fatigue and sleep disorders following TBI and their possible interrelationships. This study aims to inve ....Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of disability in young people. A major obstacle to the rehabilitation of these young people and their return to work or study is their susceptibility to fatigue post-injury. Sleep disturbance is also often reported following TBI and this may accentuate fatigue. Suprisingly, little research has been conducted on the nature, causes or progression of fatigue and sleep disorders following TBI and their possible interrelationships. This study aims to investigate the incidence and extent of fatigue in a large group of people who have experienced a TBI compared to a control group, how fatigue changes over time and its impact on daily life. The study will also address whether higher fatigue levels are associated with decreased attention and speed of information processing. Changes in sleep patterns will also be investigated using both subjective measures, such as sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, and objective physiological measures, such as the time of dim light melatonin onset and polysomnography, comparing the head injured group with controls. The interrelationships between fatigue and sleep changes will then be examined and also their association with injury severity, the location of the brain injury, the time since the injury, age, the presence of any cognitive impairments and the incidence of depression. The project has the potential to provide valuable information to healthcare professionals on the diagnosis of fatigue and sleep disorders in head injury patients. The investigation of the nature, causes and impact of fatigue and sleep disorders could also provide a basis for therapy. For example, fatigue and problems with attention and slowed information processing can be minimized by restructuring lifestyle demands and simple and effective treatments are available for many sleep disturbances, such as bright light therapy and-or exogenous melatonin.Read moreRead less
Impaired Stepping As A Risk Factor For Falls In Older People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$564,727.00
Summary
Stepping is often the last protective option to prevent a fall. This study will investigate stepping responses as a risk factor for falls. Complementary studies of physiological and psychological contributions to stepping will also be conducted. A path model will be used to examine the relative importance of physiological, psychological and behvioural factors. An exercise program to imrpove stepping responses will be trialed. Findings will inform future interventions for preventing falls.
What Is The Burden Of Dementia In Urban Dwelling Indigenous Australians?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,571,527.00
Summary
The main aim of this research project is to determine what proportion of Aboriginal people aged 45 years and older who live in urban areas of NSW, have dementia. We hope to establish what types of dementia occur amongst Aboriginal people, what the causes are, and how we can best measure dementia. We will also focus on what types of problems dementia causes for both people with the condition and their carers. What is the meaning of dementia for Aboriginal people themselves?
Dynamic Postural Stability And Falls Prediction In Older People During Walking In Real-world Environments.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$680,793.00
Summary
The increased occurrence of falls with advancing age (33-50% of people aged >65 years) is a significant cause of mortality (1014 deaths in 1998), morbidity, and disability, affecting not only the individuals concerned, but the health care system (45,069 fall related hospitalizations in 1998 in Australia) and the broader community (National falls Prevention Initiative, 2004). Although there are a number of falls risk tests, most rely on determination of body sway while standing when the body i ....The increased occurrence of falls with advancing age (33-50% of people aged >65 years) is a significant cause of mortality (1014 deaths in 1998), morbidity, and disability, affecting not only the individuals concerned, but the health care system (45,069 fall related hospitalizations in 1998 in Australia) and the broader community (National falls Prevention Initiative, 2004). Although there are a number of falls risk tests, most rely on determination of body sway while standing when the body is static rather than in motion. Given that up to 70% of falls occur during walking and performing transfers, there is a clear need to develop tests of falls risk prediction that incorporate indices of postural stability measured during more dynamic activities. Test development needs to be underpinned by clear evidence of how age-related sensory and motor deficits affect postural stability during walking. The studies outlined in this application will develop and utilise new accelerometer-based technologies to determine the fundamental mechanisms underlying balance control during walking in older people. Specifically, this project will aim to develop a clear understanding of how changes in factors as vision, neuromuscular function (strength, stiffness) and proprioception contribute to the overall decline in stability and balance during walking in older people. Combined with physiological assessment measures developed by the research team, the research will allow the development of a more definitive predictive test of stability and falls risk. This test will be able to be used by health professionals for assessment of older people to determine the most effective therapeutic and-or exercise interventions to target those individuals at risk. This technology will also be adaptable to a biofeedback device to allow individuals to monitor their own stability.Read moreRead less
Early Detection Of MCI And Dementia Using Multidimensional Analysis Of Structural MRI By Computational Methods
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,601.00
Summary
Dementia in elderly is a major public health problem, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), is even more common. We propose to use recent computational anatomy algorithms from our group to develop novel multidimensional imaging biomarkers for early detection of brain anatomical changes due to MCI-dementia. We aim at identifying early signatures of MCI-dementia, thus making early treatment possible. The completion of our research will provide clinicians with new methods for the early diagnosis.
Determining The Cognitive Sequelae Of Adolescent Cannabis Use: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$259,731.00
Summary
Adult cannabis users have problems with memory and attention, but it is not known to what extent these cognitive deficits relate to premorbid intellectual functioning or underlying personality features. Further, it is not known to what extent cannabis use during adolescence (when the brain is still developing), may lead to greater cognitive impairment. This study will directly address these questions utilising a large sample of adolescents followed since entry to high school.