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Clinical Research Projects Available

Epilepsy
Stroke
Outcomes
Neuroimaging / Neuroinformatics / Computational Neuroscience
Movement Control Mechanisms in Health and Disease
More Research Projects

Epilepsy

PhD/MD/Masters

Project: Clinical Relationship between two generalised epilepsies

Synopsis: Two apparently separate forms of common generalised epilepsy overlap in some families. We wish to carefully study the clinical and molecular relationships in large pedigrees
Supervisor: Professor Samuel Berkovic, s.berkovic@ unimelb.edu.au
Location: Epilepsy Research Centre, Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg.

Project: Maternal Inheritance of epilepsy

Synopsis: Evidence suggests that children of mothers with epilepsy more often have epilepsy than children of fathers with epilepsy. We wish to confirm this observation in our large collection of previously studied families and understand the biological basis
Supervisor: Professor Samuel Berkovic, s.berkovic@ unimelb.edu.au
Location: Epilepsy Research Centre, Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg.

Project: MRI changes in twins with epilepsy

Synopsis: We are using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in twins where only one twin has epilepsy to determine whether experiencing repeated seizures has any effect on the brain structure
Supervisor: Professor Samuel Berkovic, s.berkovic@ unimelb.edu.au
Location: Epilepsy Research Centre, Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg.

Project: Epilepsy syndromes in families

Synopsis:
Supervisor: Professor Ingrid Scheffer, scheffer@ unimelb.edu.au
Location:Epilepsy Research Centre, Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg.

Project: Comparison of age of onset to distinguish two severe epilepsy syndromes of early childhood

Synopsis:
Supervisor: Professor Ingrid Scheffer, scheffer@ unimelb.edu.au
Location:Epilepsy Research Centre, Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg.

Project: Endophenotyping of absence epilepsy in children

Synopsis:

Supervisor: Professor Ingrid Scheffer, scheffer@ unimelb.edu.au
Location:Epilepsy Research Centre, Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg.

Collaborative partner

Stroke

PhD/Prof Doc/Masters

Project: MR Imaging in acute stroke

Synopsis: MR is an exciting imaging modality used within the first hours of stroke onset and may be used to determine the likelihood of the presence of still viable tissue (the ischaemic penumbra). The concept of the ischaemic penumbra is still evolving, particularly with reference to its evolution over the passage of time. A number of projects testing hypotheses about its extent, duration and outcome are underway in both an observational and clinical trial setting.

Supervisor: Professor Geoffrey Donnan gdonnan@ unimelb.edu.au

Location: National Stroke Research Institute,Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg

Project: PET Imaging in stroke

Synopsis: Amyloid plaques may now be imaged using PET techniques (PIB PET). It has become clear that there is an increase in PIB uptake after stroke but its genesis is poorly understood. A number of projects are underway to dissect this issue out further with the opportunity to also study this in parallel in animal models of stroke.

Supervisor: Professor Geoffrey Donnan gdonnan@ unimelb.edu.au

Location: National Stroke Research Institute,Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg

Project: Imaging Analysis

Synopsis:MR imaging is evolving rapidly and there are now more sophisticated methods of assessing the presence of viable ischaemic tissue after the onset of ischaemic stroke. New analysis techniques which may allow smaller lesions to be imaged (Lacunes) are in the process of being developed and represent an opportunity for students to become expert in this field.

Supervisor: Professor Geoffrey Donnan gdonnan@ unimelb.edu.au

Location: National Stroke Research Institute,Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg

Project: Monitoring physical activity patterns of acute stroke patients

Synopsis:As part of the developmental work for AVERT, a large, multi-centre trial of very early rehabilitation after stroke, we have gathered data from a large number of acute stroke patients. AVERT Phase III commenced in July 2006, and a new question is “Are physical activity patterns changing as a result of a co-located clinical trial focused on very early mobilisation?” The study is important, novel and has scope for further development of methods to monitor physical activity patterns of acute patients

Supervisors: Dr Julie Bernhardt, Dr Janice Collier, avert@nsri.org.au

Location: National Stroke Research Institute, Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg.

Honours/AMS

Project: Predictors of recovery of walking following stroke

Synopsis: Getting people up and out of bed very early after stroke may reduce death and disability at three months. In Phase II of A Very Early Rehabilitation Trial (AVERT), stroke patient randomized to very early mobilization were compared to those who received standard care. This study will examine the walking recovery patterns of patients who participated in the trial, and determine the predictors of walking recovery.

Supervisor: Dr Julie Bernhardt, Dr Janice Collier avert@nsri.org.au

Location: Clinical Trials, National Stroke Research Institute, Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg. http://www.nsri.org.au/clinical-trials.htm

Project: The relationship between schedule of therapy and stroke outcome at three months

Synopsis: This study also examines data from the Phase II trial of very early mobilisation (AVERT) in which stroke patient were randomized to very early mobilization and compared to those who received standard care. For this project, the scheduling and content of therapy delivered within the first two weeks post stroke will be examined to identify the potential relationship between therapy delivered and stroke outcome

Supervisor: Dr Julie Bernhardt, Dr Janice Collier avert@nsri.org.au

Location: Clinical Trials, National Stroke Research Institute, Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg. http://www.nsri.org.au/clinical-trials.htm

Project: Nurses attitudes to involvement in research: identifying barriers and solutions.

Synopsis: This study will employ qualitative and quantitative methods to examine the evolution of attitudes to participation in research throughout the conduct of the very early rehabilitation trial
Supervisor: Dr Julie Bernhardt, avert@nsri.org.au

Location: Clinical Trials, National Stroke Research Institute, Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg. http://www.nsri.org.au/clinical-trials.htm

Project: Systematic review of the effect of rehabilitation in animal models of stroke

Synopsis: There is a growing body of literature examining the response of stroke-induced animals to a range of environmental and physical interventions designed to aid rehabilitation. This research base is varied, and before sound protocols can be developed to help test new rehabilitation approaches in animals, a thorough review is needed. The student will work within the CAMARADES framework to develop a high quality systematic review in this field
Supervisor: Dr Julie Bernhardt, avert@nsri.org.au

Location: Clinical Trials, National Stroke Research Institute, Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg. http://www.nsri.org.au/clinical-trials.htm

Project: Clinical utility of TCD in the diagnosis of Vasospasm secondary to SAH. (Retrospective and prospective study)

Synopsis: TCD monitoring has been performed in 100 patients with SAH since 1997. You will review the TCD database and clinical records of these, and newly admitted cases, to answer the following research questions: 1) Does TCD detect vasospasm before clinical evidence of cerebral ischaemia, thereby providing a window of opportunity for treatment? 2) Does vasospasm detected by TCD correlate with the vasospasm detected by cerebral angiography?
Supervisor: A/Prof Brian Chambers, brc@bigpond.net.au
Location: Neurosonology, Department of Neurology, 6th Floor Austin Tower, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg.For more information click here

Project: Role of TCD and Diffusion-Perfusion Imaging (MRI) in the assessment of Vasospasm secondary to SAH. (Prospective study)

Synopsis: Vasospasm of the cerebral arteries appears 3 to 4 days after SAH, reaches peak at about 8 days, and regresses after 12 to 14 days. Symptomatic vasospasm in SAH leads to delayed neurological deficits due to cerebral ischemia. Serial TCD measurement of blood flow velocity in major intracranial vessels helps in the management of SAH patients. However TCD orcerebral angiography does not differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic vasospasm. Diffusion (DWI) and perfusion (PWI) weighted MRI are able to detect areas with a diffusion-perfusion mismatch i.e. areas of misery perfusion where the tissue is ischemic but not yet infarcted. Very little information is available regarding the role of TCD and diffusion-perfusion MRI in the assessment of vasospasm in SAH. The objective of this project is to correlate the severity of vasospasm detected by TCD in SAH patients with diffusion-perfusion mismatch. Techniques: Daily TCD monitoring of SAH patients, treated by aneurysm clipping or endovascular coiling, or untreated, until the velocities become normal. If they develop symptomatic vasospasm then they will undergo diffusion-perfusion MRI. A repeat DWI scan will be done after 7 days. The patients clinical data, SAH clinical grading, CT grading of SAH and treatment will be collected. Outcome will be assessed using the modified Rankin scale.
Supervisor: A/Prof Brian Chambers, brc@bigpond.net.au
Location: Neurosonology, Department of Neurology, 6th Floor Austin Tower, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg. For more information click here

Collaborative partner

Outcomes

Project: Long-term psychosocial outcome after temporal lobectomy.

Synopsis: Our clinical program has followed a large cohort of patients who had surgical resection of their temporal lobe seizure focus. We aim to assess long-term psychosocial post-surgical outcome in this group.
Supervisor: Dr Anne McIntosh, a.mcintosh@ unimelb.edu.au
Suitable for: PhD/Masters student in nursing, psychology, medicine.

Project: Epileptic falls (drop attacks - prevention, management)

Synopsis Some individuals experience sudden uncontrollable falls as part of their seizure disorder. These patients are at high risk of injury. We wish to examine this phenomenon in further detail, including possible prevention and management.
Supervisor: Prof Mary Galea, m.galea@ unimelb.edu.au, Dr Anne McIntosh, a.mcintosh@ unimelb.edu.au
Suitable for: PhD/Masters student in physiotherapy, nursing, medicine.

Project: Employment and rehabilitation issues after diagnosis of epilepsy

Synopsis New onset epilepsy in adulthood can impact on activities such as driving, employment and leisure. We will examine psychosocial issues related to a new diagnosis of epilepsy.
Supervisor: Dr Anne McIntosh, a.mcintosh@ unimelb.edu.au
Suitable for: PhD/Masters student in nursing, psychology

Project: Pre-operative seizure localization and effect on seizure outcome after lobectomy

Synopsis Some characteristics or pre-operative epilepsy may be prognostic of poor post-operative seizure outcome. We will examine one or two characteristics of potential significance.
Supervisor: Dr Anne McIntosh, a.mcintosh@ unimelb.edu.au
Suitable for: Honours student in nursing, science, medicine.

Project: Epilepsy surgery: accuracy of pre-operative clinical predictions of post-operative seizure and psychological outcome

Synopsis This study will review the use and accuracy of pre-surgical clinical predictions of outcome used in the pre-operative assessment protocol.
Supervisor:Dr Anne McIntosh, a.mcintosh@ unimelb.edu.au
Suitable for: Honours/Masters student in nursing, psychology.

Neuroimaging / Neuroinformatics / Computational Neuroscience

PhD/Masters

Projects: Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Physics development and applications in Neurosciences Research

Synopsis: download pdf [1.1mb]
Supervisor: Professor Alan Connelly, a.connelly@ brain.org.au
Location: Brain Research Institute, Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg

PhD/Honours

Projects: Advanced Imaging Methods for Mapping Human Brain Function

Synopsis: download pdf [75kb]
Supervisor: Dr David Abbott, d.abbott@ brain.org.au
Location: Brain Research Institute, Repatriation Hospital, Heidelberg.

Brain Research Institute
Collaborative partner

Movement Control Mechanisms in Health and Disease

PhD/MD/Masters/Honours/AMS

Project: Lifespan Gait

Synopsis: click here
Supervisor: Dr Noel Lythgo nlythgo@ unimelb.edu.au
Location: Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre, Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Austin Hospital, Kew

Project: Sensorimotor integration in the hand

Synopsis: look for this project
Supervisor: Professor Mary Galea, m.galea@ unimelb.edu.au Dr Clarissa Martin
Location: Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre, Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Austin Hospital, Kew

Project: Amputee Gait

Synopsis: click here
Supervisor: Professor Mary Galea, m.galea@ unimelb.edu.au
Location: Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre, Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Austin Hospital, Kew

Project: Muscle stiffness reduction in healthy and pathological populations

Synopsis: click here
Supervisor: Professor Mary Galea, m.galea@ unimelb.edu.au
Location: Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre, Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Austin Hospital, Kew

Project: Assessment of hand function in stroke patients using the NK Dexterity Board

Synopsis: look for this project

Supervisors: Ms Kimberly Miller, Professor Mary Galea m.galea@ unimelb.edu.au

Location: Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre, Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Austin Hospital, Kew