Eye movements may be key to chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosis

Oculomotor testing in the lab

A Monash Central Clinical School scientist has been awarded $180,000 over three years to develop a way to help diagnose myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Associate Professor Joanne Fielding, from the Department of Neuroscience, is being funded  by the Judith Jane Mason & Harold Stannet Williams Memorial Foundation (the Mason Foundation) through Equity Trustees to conduct a project identifying objective behavioural markers for this debilitating disorder. Associate Professor Fielding is working with Dr Scott Kolbe and Dr Meaghan Clough, both from the Department, and co-investigator Dr Chris Armstrong from the University of Melbourne on the project.

Ending HIV transmission by Optimizing Pre-exposure prophylaxis in East Asia (HOPE) launch

Aim and methods of the HOPE network

Associate Professor Jason Ong was recently awarded $667,191 by the National Health and Medical Research Council for an NHMRC e-ASIA 2021 Joint Research Program, “Ending HIV transmission by Optimizing Pre-exposure prophylaxis in East Asia (HOPE)”.

The research program was launched this week. A/Prof Ong, a senior research fellow in the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, said that HIV is a very significant health issue in the Asia-Pacific region.

Participants sought: People with COPD for in-home nasal high flow air therapy

Participants with COPD sought for 8 day in-home study

EAGLE is a phase II trial to assess feasibility of using nasal high flow for breathlessness in participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who do not qualify for domiciliary long-term oxygen therapy.

We are seeking participants for our 8-day trial of in-home nasal high flow air therapy for COPD patients who experience breathlessness. The study aims to determine the effects of in-home nasal high flow air therapy on breathlessness, quality of life, and other symptom management. 

Contact Dr Amy Pascoe:

• email amy.pascoe@monash.edu 
• phone +61 3 9903 8930
  

Participants sought: Biomarkers in brain trauma

Healthy participants sought for concussion biomarker study.
Image: Shutterstock

Biomarkers in Brain Trauma (BIOBiT-III) - Diagnosis and follow-up of concussion after mild traumatic brain injury

Concussion is common, in particular, during combat training and contact sports, leading to disturbance in brain function caused by direct or indirect force to the head. Concussion typically results in the rapid onset of short-lived impairment of neurological function that resolves spontaneously in most cases. 

There are, however, no current tests that can reliably detect subtle changes from concussion or track brain recovery. 

Participants sought: Can exercise replace chest physiotherapy for people with cystic fibrosis?

Participants with CF sought for virtual discussion group on
how best to test if exercise can replace airway clearance.
See more: Study flier

Can exercise replace chest physiotherapy for people with cystic fibrosis? Partnering with consumers to address a research priority

People with cystic fibrosis (CF) have indicated that finding out if exercise can replace daily physiotherapy (airway clearance) is an area of research priority for them. However, the best way to test whether exercise can replace airway clearance is not clear. 

We are running a study to understand the thoughts and experiences of people with CF

MIME Seed Funding applications now open: 1 April affinity meeting

MIME Seed Funding applications now open:

Practical solutions for frontline clinical problems

The 2022 round of the Monash Institute of Medical Engineering (MIME) Seed Funding is now open! This year provides clinicians with the opportunity to seek funding of $50,000 for a solution for an unmet clinical need and work in partnership with IT/digital health, engineering and art/design researchers to discover new medical technologies. 

A Virtual Affinity Meeting will be held on April 1