An International Comparison Of Systems Of Care, Risk Stratification And Outcomes In TIA And Minor Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,189,790.00
Summary
Transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs: self-limited brief episodes of stroke symptoms) are high-risk events with an approximately 15% risk of stroke within 90-days. Current practice calls for specialist treatment within 1-7 days. But this recommendation (based on 20 year old overseas evidence) may not apply in contemporary Australia. We will conduct a study of patients with TIA that will document their interactions with Australian health systems and inform contemporary Australian practice.
Targeting Necroptosis Signalling To Counter Stroke-induced Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,809.00
Summary
The origins of the brain injury that arises from stroke remain a matter of enormous interest. Our work suggests that a poorly understood form of cell death, termed necroptosis, contributes to injury to the brain following stroke. In addition to developing an advanced understanding of this process, we will use drugs developed at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute to test whether blocking this process might be a plausible therapeutic strategy in stroke patients.
Improving Stroke Outcomes: Attenuating Progression And Recurrence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,331,996.00
Summary
Stroke is the second most common cause of death and major cause disability. There are few proven interventions, so we need to introduce new ones. We developed a bench to bedside program to introduce new stroke therapies and its early secondary prevention. Our general goal is to provide evidence for their effectiveness and safety. We will use animal stroke models, markers in the blood to help diagnose and predict stroke outcome and imaging to help select patients for several clinical trials.
IMPROVING STROKE OUTCOMES: NEW TARGETS AND THERAPIES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,212,064.00
Summary
Previously we established a unique collaboration of researchers from the basic and clinical sciences.. The main aim of this ' vertically integrated ' model was to develop new therapies to improve stroke outcomes. We developed a system to identify ' off-the-shelf ' compounds which protect the brain after stroke onset. This involves data assimilation (meta-analysis) in a unique way, an approach which has attracted attention internationally. We are also completing an important clinical trial using ....Previously we established a unique collaboration of researchers from the basic and clinical sciences.. The main aim of this ' vertically integrated ' model was to develop new therapies to improve stroke outcomes. We developed a system to identify ' off-the-shelf ' compounds which protect the brain after stroke onset. This involves data assimilation (meta-analysis) in a unique way, an approach which has attracted attention internationally. We are also completing an important clinical trial using the clot dissolving agent tPA to extend the time during which the drug may be effective beyond the three-hours currently used. In the next phase of our program we plan to expand the basic science component to identify parts of brain cells (axons and dendrites) which may yield important information about new drugs to protect the brain. We will use our novel summary data technique to test drugs in animal models more appropriate to the human stroke paradigm than have been used in the past In clinical studies we will follow our theme of identifying new targets for therapy using sophisticated PET and MRI imaging techniques, both in patients who are at great risk of stroke recurrence after a minor warning stroke and those with stroke caused by bleeding within the brain. These studies will provide information about predictors of recurrent and worsening stroke which may be modified by new therapies. The final stage in identifying new therapies is the Phase III clinical trial. We will complete one of these in which the most appropriate drug preventing further strokes in a major new stroke subtype will be identified. Toward the end of the program, we will commence phase 3 studies of drugs we have selected as being most likely to protect the brain based on our animal experiments. The main benefit of this unique collaborative research model is to efficiently identify new therapies to reduce the burden of stroke, currently the second most common cause of death globally.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Protein Kinases And Their Substrates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,000.00
Summary
Western communities are experiencing an obesity epidemic with up to half the population being overweight. Sedentary life styles and high caloric intake are the cause and will contribute to the development of age onset diseases including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and neurodegeneration. This project is investigating an enzyme that plays a pivotal role in controlling the body s response to exercise and diet. The key enzyme involved in this process is called the AMP-activated ....Western communities are experiencing an obesity epidemic with up to half the population being overweight. Sedentary life styles and high caloric intake are the cause and will contribute to the development of age onset diseases including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and neurodegeneration. This project is investigating an enzyme that plays a pivotal role in controlling the body s response to exercise and diet. The key enzyme involved in this process is called the AMP-activated protein kinase. This work will increase our understanding of the health benefits of diet and exercise. This new knowledge will play a vital role in developing new therapies for promoting exercise and mitigating the effects of diet that will improve health during the ageing process.Read moreRead less