ACFRT Top-up Scholarship 2019
Project Title: Adverse Early Risk Factors for Adult Cardiovascular Disease in Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis
Name: Thomas Saunders
Institution: Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Duration: 3 years
Value: $5,000
Summary: Life with cystic fibrosis (CF) has undergone dramatic changes over the past decades, thanks to early interventions throughout childhood, including a high fat diet. Unlike previous generations, current CF children are living beyond their twenties, and now into their fifth or sixth decades. However the new medical challenges they will face are largely unknown. In particular, the impact of the leading causes of death worldwide, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD- heart attack and stroke), are unknown. Lung diseases similar to CF have much higher risks of CVD than the general population and there are increasing case reports of CF individuals developing CVD.
Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is thought to be largely preventable, especially when intervention starts in childhood. Risk factors such as inflammation, metabolic stress, and abnormal fat metabolism are all found in people with CF; but they are also prescribed high-fat diets, necessary to maintain good weight gain and growth. As CF life expectancy improves, and there are more and more instances of CVD in CF adults, novel studies aiming to detect it will be crucial.
This study investigates if CF children have early changes to blood vessels, biomarkers and immune system that may lead to atherosclerosis and CVD in adulthood. We will perform non-invasive ultrasounds looking at arteries, assess smaller vessels with retinal photographs, and measure specific biomarkers and immune cells in the blood.
This study is expected to show that CF children do have changes that suggest they may be at higher risk of atherosclerosis and CVD in the future. This will indicate if our current nutritional goals are sufficient, and guide changes to minimise the impact of CVD in CF adults. As people with CF live longer, it is critical that their increased survival also has improved quality of life with any treatment side-effects minimised. As such, this study will have a direct impact on how we treat people with CF in the future.
Reports: None due
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ACFRT Top-up Scholarship 2019
Project Title: Computer Modelling of the Root Cause of Cystic Fibrosis
Name: Miro Astore
Institution: The University of Sydney
Duration: 3 years
Value: $5,000
Summary: We will use physics based atomic models to develop our understanding of cystic fibrosis and find treatments for it. With a focus on those who cannot currently access existing treatments.
Reports: None due
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