Diabetic neuropathy causes severe disability, with pain, loss of sensation and weakness. The current project will assess the utility of a new testing method, known as nerve excitability assessment, as a method of detecting early changes in nerve function in diabetic patients. If this technique proves useful in detecting early nerve damage, it will assist in the development of therapeutic and preventative treatments for neuropathy in diabetic patients.
Effects Of Pharmacological Modification Of Ion Channel Activity On The Excitability Of Normal And Diabetic Nerves.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,232.00
Summary
Neuropathic disturbances due to diabetes can destroy the quality of life and place a major cost burden on society. This project will provide insight into the actions of specific pharmaceutical agents on human nerves in both healthy subjects and diabetic patients with a view to establishing how these drugs reduce neuropathic symptoms in real life. The study will provide information regarding the underlying causes of neuropathic symptoms in diabetes and may help guide future treatments.
Assessment Strategies, Treatments And Risk Factors In Neuropathy And Neuromuscular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,034.00
Summary
Neuropathy and neuromuscular disorders provide a major public health challenge. My research efforts are targeted at improving strategies to assess neuropathy and neuromuscular disease, measuring the impact of disease and translating these approaches into clinical trials and clinical practice. The project will identify the best assessment strategies for early detection of nerve damage, determine the impact of nerve disorders in Australia and determine how best to address these disorders.
Evidence For Interventions That Improve Cardiovascular Outcomes In Chronic Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,747.00
Summary
The many Australians with kidney disease experience higher rates of cardiovascular events. Some of the highest rates of cardiovascular events and mortality are seen in people with kidney failure. Currently available treatments are inadequate at reducing this risk indicating an urgent need for new therapies. The program will investigate the effect of little used but readily available, promising interventions to assess their potential to reduce cardiovascular events for people with kidney disease.
Genomic Investigation Of Major Human Diseases And Lifespan
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,652.00
Summary
I am focused on finding disease genes for major human neurological diseases that increase with age. In my future research I will use human population genetics data combined with animal research to find genes that can block pain perception, or promote long life while preserving brain function in the elderly. My research efforts can help provide a better basic understanding of age-related diseases, and may help us identify new therapies to help us live productive, long lives.
Distinguishing Self From World: Understanding The Neural Basis Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,307.00
Summary
Self-generated sensations - such as tickling oneself - typically evoke less activity in the EEG than physically identical, externally-produced sensations. Schizophrenia patients do not exhibit this “electrophysiological self-suppression” (ESS), which accounts for their characteristic tendency to misattribute their own thoughts and actions to other people. This project aims to rectify ESS levels in schizophrenia by artificially altering patients’ sensory feedback to self-generated actions.
Multisensory Determinants Of Postural Instability And Falls In Older Adults; Prevention And Rehabilitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
With an increased longevity of the population, age-related health problems, such as falls, are a significant socioeconomic issue to be addressed. Many sensory systems (e.g. vision, hearing, balance) are known to gradually become disrupted as a consequence of ageing. This project will investigate the consequences of declining sensory systems for balance control in older adults and to develop technology to prevents falls in them.
Neuroimmune Interactions In Functional And Organic Gastrointestinal Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are chronic, incurable diseases of the lower gastrointestinal tract with unknown causes and poor treatment options. Both the immune and nervous systems are altered in GI disease, but have traditionally been studied in isolation. My research investigates how the neuro-immune axis is altered in these diseases, using animal models and human tissue samples to identify novel treatment options for these debilitating diseases.
Identifying The Underlying Causes Of Chronic Visceral Pain And Discovering Novel Therapeutic Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
Chronic pain is a major, but under appreciated social, clinical and economic challenge. Globally >1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain. In the USA alone pain is the leading cause of disability, affecting 115 million adults and costing >$630 billion, more than cancer, heart disease and diabetes combined. By using pre-clinical models and translational science this proposal will identify the key mechanisms underlying chronic pain and also identify novel targets for new therapeutic trea ....Chronic pain is a major, but under appreciated social, clinical and economic challenge. Globally >1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain. In the USA alone pain is the leading cause of disability, affecting 115 million adults and costing >$630 billion, more than cancer, heart disease and diabetes combined. By using pre-clinical models and translational science this proposal will identify the key mechanisms underlying chronic pain and also identify novel targets for new therapeutic treatmentRead moreRead less