Neuroscience researchers support Brain Cancer Awareness month

by Dr Loretta Piccenna, Department of Neuroscience

(L-R): Ms Katrina Kan, Dr Mastura Monif (group leader) and
 Mr Matthew Drill. Dr Monif did a podcast for The Aftershock,
and explains more about her research in a video. 

This month is Brain Cancer Awareness Month, a time of the year for raising awareness of brain cancer or tumours and the need for greater research to discover safe and effective new treatments. 

Brain cancers may be rare, but there are more than 100 different types of brain cancer. This requires a collective effort by lots of researchers, clinicians, patients and their families to understand brain cancers at a molecular level to help find a cure. 

Dr Mastura Monif and her research team (pictured) from the Department of Neuroscience within the Central Clinical School study the most common form of primary brain cancer or tumour, called glioblastoma. She said, 

“We must ensure that every person who develops cancer is given the best possible chance of surviving and living well”.

Diabetes and dementia: exploring the links

Professor Velandai Srikanth and Associate Professor Chris Moran
tease out the connections between type 2 diabetes and dementia in
their recent review. See also a recent video presentation from them.

by Anne Crawford

Studies have linked type 2 diabetes with dementia in later life for some years but the connection between the two conditions, causal or otherwise, is still to be clarified.

A review by researchers from the Department of Geriatric Medicine, Peninsula Health and Medicine, Central Clinical School has highlighted the need to further explore the potential mechanisms and pathways linking the two conditions.

Monash Department of Diabetes shines in research awards

L-R: Dr Muthukumar Mohan, Professor Karin Jandeleit-Dahm
and Dr Carlos Rosado have each been awarded funds under the
2022 Diabetes Australia Research Program (DARP)

Congratulations to the Department of Diabetes’ Professor Karin Jandeleit-Dahm, Dr Muthukumar Mohan and Dr Carlos Rosado who have each been awarded funds under the 2022 Diabetes Australia Research Program (DARP).

The Department of Diabetes recipients were among 31 Victorian-based researchers, including eight from Monash University, awarded more than $2 million under DARP this year.

17-23 May 2022 Central Clinical School recent publications

Indigenous data sovereignty and governance raises its own special issues:

Nature Medicine correspondence on the Australian TBI National Data

project from NTRI authors and others. Image: Danielle Mate

Recent publications featuring research as notified by PubMed during 3-16 May 2022 from Central Clinical School affiliated researchers in the following departments. The below is not a comprehensive list.

The most recent validated publications for the school and departments can be seen on their publications pages, linked to from the headings below. Otherwise, read down the entry for recent notifications.

Monash-led PADDI trial wins award

ACTA clinical trials 2022 awards were made on 20 May 2022,
International Clinical Trials Day. Professors Andrew Forbes (left)
and Tomas Corcoran (right) accepted the award for 'Excellence in
Trial Statistics' on behalf of the PADDI trial investigators.

The Perioperative Administration of Dexamethasone and Infection (PADDI) trial has been honoured by the 2022 Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA) Excellence in Trial Statistics Award.

The award was presented on International Clinical Trials Day, which is held on 20 May each year to recognise the outstanding contribution of the sector in developing and leading investigator-led clinical trials.

Nerve stimulation may be potential therapy for leaky gut diseases

Stimulating the vagal nerve may improve
gut permeability: study

by Anne Crawford

Research by Monash Central Clinical School scientists has suggested that stimulating the vagal nerve transcutaneously improves gut permeability and could potentially counter diseases caused by intestinal barrier dysfunction or ‘leaky gut’.  

Intestinal barrier dysfunction is likely to initiate diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Crohn’s disease.

3-16 May 2022 Central Clinical School recent publications

What is the estimated burden of healthcare associated infections
in Australian public hospitals? Study suggests it's high and
recommends robust, national coordinated surveillance.
Image: Public Health Notes

Recent publications featuring research as notified by PubMed during 3-16 May 2022 from Central Clinical School affiliated researchers in the following departments. The below is not a comprehensive list.

The most recent validated publications for the school and departments can be seen on their publications pages, linked to from the headings below. Otherwise, read down the entry for recent notifications.