Research Group Reports Ageing: Monash Ageing Research Centre (MONARC)
ASPREE / ALSOP / SNORE-ASA. Investigators: Professor Barbara Workman, Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University; Professor Elsdon Storey - Department of Neurosciences and Van Cleef Roet Centre for Nervous Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; Dr Robyn Woods - Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; Professor John McNeil - Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and others. Outcome: ASPREE is ‘Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly’ being run by the Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at the Berman Center, Minneapolis. ASPREE sub- studies include: SNORE-ASA (Study of Neurocognitive Outcomes, Radiological and retinal Effects of Aspirin in Sleep Apnoea) which will investigate the long term impact of sleep apnoea on cognition, and whether any effect is modified by aspirin therapy. ASPREE-ALSOP aims to improve understanding of the problems of aging including: mobility, hearing, eyesight, dental care, diet, exercise.
Deep brain stimulation in patients
with advanced Parkinson’s disease.
Investigators: Professor Robert Iansek, Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University; Ms Dianne Cameron (Physiotherapist / Adjunct Research Fellow) - Clinical Research Centre for Movement Disorders and Gait, MONARC; Ms Mary Danoudis (Physiotherapist) - Clinical Research Centre for Movement Disorders and Gait, MONARC, Dr Thorlene Egerton Clinical Research Centre for Movement Disorders and Gait, MONARC. Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor Andrew Churchyard - School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University,
Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor Krishnarao Sitaramra Vaddadi - School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University, Assoc. Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis - School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University. Outcome: This study provides detailed quantitative information about each patient’s progress following deep brain stimulation, assisting in optimisation of the stimulation settings. The dissemination of results from the new techniques being used is an important facet for further improvements in technique and development of new technologies.
Normal walking patterns of adults
Outcome: This broad study aims to determine whether stride length is the key control variable used by the brain to initiate walking. The results will improve therapy management of neurological conditions affecting gait.
in Victoria.
Investigators: Professor Robert Iansek, Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University; Ms Dianne Cameron (Physiotherapist / Adjunct Research Fellow) - Clinical Research Centre for Movement Disorders and Gait, MONARC; Dr Anna Murphy, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University; Ms Mary Danoudis (Physiotherapist) - Clinical Research Centre for Movement Disorders and Gait, MONARC; Adjunct Clinical A/ Professor Barry Rawicki - Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University Outcome: This project will lead to the development of a database of normal walking patterns of adults in Victoria across a range of age groups. The database will be used to compare the walking of people with and without disability to assist in understanding how and why differences in walking occur in people with a particular diagnosis.
A systematic investigation of normal
and abnormal gait: What can the spatiotemporal parameters of walking tell us about central control of gait in healthy adults and in people with disorders involving the basal ganglia?
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Investigators: Professor Robert Iansek, Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University; Ms Dianne Cameron (Physiotherapist / Adjunct Research Fellow) - Clinical Research Centre for Movement Disorders and Gait, MONARC; Dr Anna Murphy, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University; Ms Mary Danoudis (Physiotherapist) - Clinical Research Centre for Movement Disorders and Gait, MONARC, Dr Thorlene Egerton Clinical Research Centre for Movement Disorders and Gait, MONARC.;
A RCT (Randomised Controlled Trial) to determine the optimum frequency of Botulinum Toxin injections to the calf in children with cerebral palsy.
Investigators: Professor H Kerr Graham - Murdoch Children’s Research Institute / Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Children’s Hospital; A/Prof Richard Baker - Murdoch Children’s Research Institute; Adjunct Clinical A/ Professor Barry Rawicki - Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University; Ms Tandy Hastings-Ison (Senior Physiotherapist) - Hugh Williamson Gait Analysis Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne; Ms Christine Blackburn - Centre for Developmental Disability Health Victoria, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University; Associate Professor Rory Wolfe - School of Applied and Clinical Public Health Sciences, Monash University / Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Outcome: This study will compare the effects over a two year period of annual Botulinum toxin A injections as against injections every four months. The primary outcome measure will be the rate of development of contractures over that period.
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