Source: University of Otago
Blood tests for early Alzheimer’s disease detection, bowel cancer risk reduction in New Zealand, and better sexual health service access for Māori and Pacific youth are now in sight.
That is thanks to this year’s round of NZ Lottery Health Grants supporting 22 University of Otago researchers, allocating them a share of $1,894,414 in total.
Across New Zealand, a total of $4,134,300 in funding was allocated.
Of the Otago recipients, 21 are from the Division of Health Sciences, and one is from the Otago Business School.
Associate Professor Joanna Williams
After dedicating 10 years of her life to the important Alzheimer’s research, Associate Professor Joanna Williams, from the Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, says it feels fantastic to be among the recipients.
She received $89,421 from the Translational Research Project funding round towards her study which seeks to develop a blood test that can detect people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
It would allow for intervention before the tell-tale symptoms of memory loss begin – a time in the disease where therapies are most likely to be effective, she says.
More than 70,000 New Zealanders are directly affected by Alzheimer’s disease and this is predicted to increase to 150,000 by 2050 and cost more than $1.7 billion per annum.
A therapy that delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by as little as one year will reduce associated costs by $300 million per annum but is only possible with early detection of the disease.
Associate Professor Williams says her research team has already shown that small molecules called microRNA found in blood plasma change as the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease get worse.
But Alzheimer’s disease begins long before people notice problems with their memory and knowledge of what these ‘biomarkers’ look like before symptom onset is very limited.
Associate Professor Williams, alongside Scientific Officer Diane Guévremont, from the Department of Anatomy, and colleagues in Australia, will now assess the levels of microRNA biomarkers in plasma donated by people who have changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease, but their memory is not yet affected, she says.
Research Associate Professor Brian Cox
This year’s Translational Research Project funding round will also see Research Associate Professor Brian Cox, from the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Otago Medical School, receive $75,958.
It means he and his research team can continue their 15-year long research into the causes of bowel cancer in New Zealand, which has the second highest incidence of bowel cancer in the world, he says.
“This research will apply that knowledge to information we will obtain from a survey of people in Southland to specifically determine to what degree these factors increase the risk of bowel cancer in Southland.”
Research Associate Professor Cox says his team is focusing on Southland as this is where the incidence of bowel cancer has consistently been the highest in New Zealand for several decades.
“The funding is essential to provide the people of Southland with the knowledge necessary to take action to reduce their risk of bowel cancer.”
The funding will also enable a template to be established for communities to reduce their risk of bowel cancer throughout New Zealand.
Research Associate Professor Cox says this is necessary because cancer control action needs to be tailored to particular regions and populations for it to be effective.
“This initiative recognises the approach required for cancer control to be effective in New Zealand.”
Dr Sally Rose
Also receiving funding from this year’s Translational Research Project round is Dr Sally Rose, from the Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington.
She was awarded $118,339 for her research which seeks to improve access to sexual health services for Māori and Pacific young people, using strategies that are co-designed by rangatahi and Pasifika youth.“With small changes and better access to services at the right time, we could see improvement in outcomes for young people with regards to unintended pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), safe and healthy sexual encounters,” Dr Rose says.
“Young people have a right to safely explore and enjoy their sexuality, but need to be prepared with knowledge, skills and access to services to help make positive informed decisions.”
Dr Rose says, through this research, her team has shifted the focus to empower young people to take charge of their own health, by seeking their ideas about improving access to information and services.
“We are excited to be able to embark on this meaningful work and hope we can make small, incremental changes in this often-overlooked area of primary health care service provision.”
The NZ Lottery Health Grants recipients are:
Dr Kate Thomas, Department of Surgical Sciences, Otago Medical School, Division of Health Sciences – $102,277The influence of exercise and intermittent fasting on a neuroprotective factor for brain health.
Associate Professor Joanna Williams, Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences – $89,421A blood test to detect preclinical Alzheimer’s disease
Dr Tim Chambers, Department of Public Health, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington – $12,604Nitrate levels in groundwater are increasing in many parts of New Zealand and emerging evidence suggests it could have health implications. A nitrate sensor will facilitate community testing of water supplies to produce an audit of nitrate levels in unregistered supplies (non-city supplies).
Associate Professor Diane Kenwright, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington – $33,320Understanding the causes of cancer so it can be treated more effectively.
Dr Matthew Jenkins, Department of Psychological Medicine, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington – $86,033Co-design of a healthy lifestyle intervention for people experiencing first episode psychosis.
Miss Madhuriksha Reddy, Pharmacovigilance Centre (NZPhvC), Division of Health Sciences – $120,000Pharmacovigilance of Natural Health Products in New Zealand.
Dr Arlene Ozanne, Department of Economics and Commerce, Otago Business School – $87,957A culturally sensitive approach in developing guidelines to facilitate access and utilisation of healthcare and social services for Pacific peoples.
Dr Kim Meredith-Jones, Department of Medicine, Otago Medical School, Division of Health Sciences – $99,851Streaming before dreaming: are digital media really destroying our children’s sleep and wellbeing?
Dr Tania Slatter, Department of Pathology, Otago Medical School, Division of Health Sciences – $68,512Can a new type of MRI benefit brain tumour patients?
Dr Rose Crossin, Department of Population Health, Christchurch School of Medicine, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Christchurch – $70,472Understanding the health implications of on-demand app-based delivery services of unhealthy commodities.
Associate Professor David McBride, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Otago Medical School, Division of Health Sciences – $102,897A pathway to care for New Zealand military veterans with pain and distress.
Dr Timothy Prickett, Department of Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Christchurch – $119,755New approaches to early detection and prevention of heart disease in the community.
Professor George Baxter, School of Physiotherapy, Division of Health Sciences – $115,366Supportive care needs in prostate cancer: A mixed-methods study of unmet needs of prostate cancer survivors and their partners/caregivers (SUPPRO).
Professor Rhonda Rosengren, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences – $88,099ChemiDocMP and Olympus BX53.
Dr Moira Smith, Department of Public Health, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington – $90,410It’s just a game? The nature and extent of New Zealand children’s e-gaming, its convergence with gambling and impact on children’s well-being
Dr Adele Woolley, Department of Pathology, Otago Medical School, Division of Health Sciences – $58,278Olympus BX63 microscope.
Associate Professor Brian Cox, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Otago Medical School, Division of Health Sciences – $75,958Reasons for increased risk of bowel cancer in Southland.
Dr Sally Rose, Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington – $118,339Improving access to services for sexual health using strategies co-designed by Maori and Pacific young people.
Dr Kirsty Danielson, Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington – $17,387APD Assy, Violet 16 Channel with Small Particle Enhanced Performance (V-SPE).
Dr Sean Coffey, Department of Medicine, Otago Medical School, Division Health Sciences – $119,740Pressure modification in aortic stenosis.
Associate Professor Gisela Sole, School of Physiotherapy, Division of Health Sciences – $119,717Implementation and evaluation of a FRAmework for maNaging Concussions in Secondary schools (FRANCS).
Dr Charlie Mentzel, Department of Psychological Medicine, Otago Medical School, Division of Health Sciences – $98,021Active controlled trial of ketamine-assisted group psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder.
