Current research

The last 1000 days with chronic kidney disease: supporting treatment decision making in Tasmania

Project team: Professor Matthew Jose (CIA), Dr Kim Jose, Professor Jan Radford, Associate Professor Rajesh Raj, Dr Laura Cuthbertson, Lisa Shelverton and Dr Carolyn Baker.

The research team has critical new information about the health outcomes and personal burden of different treatment options for Tasmanians with chronic kidney disease. The team would like to find out if including this new information into consumer decision and education aids helps decision making by consumers, caregivers and health professionals. This project will be conducted over 2023 and 2024.

Uncovering the genetic drivers of brain cancer in Tasmanians

Project team: A/Prof Owen Marshall, Prof Rosemary Harrup, Prof Joanne Dickinson, A/Prof Nova Thani, A/Prof Liesel FitzGerald, Dr Ankush Gupta, Dr Adam Byrne, Dr Joshua Ragg.

Glioblastoma, the most aggressive brain cancer, has devastating outcomes. In some Tasmanian families, the disease strikes multiple members, suggesting a hidden genetic cause. This project unites Royal Hobart Hospital clinicians with Menzies Institute for Medical Research scientists to search for these genes. By studying the DNA of affected families, we our dedicated researchers will identify genetic culprits and then use innovative animal models to rapidly confirm their role in causing cancer. This critical work aims to provide answers for families, identify those at highest risk, and may ultimately uncover new targets for treatments, bringing much-needed hope to our community.

Generously supported by Luke Cunningham Research Grant.

Next Moves – Piloting of a new post-diagnostic support program for people with Parkinson’s

Project team: Ms Christy Dorward, Prof Jane Alty, Dr Frank Nicklason, Dr Larisson Bartlett, Dr Sarah Hewer, Ms Bridget Lange, Ms Melissa Roach, Ms Sarah Black, Ms Claire Myers, Ms Celeste Holden.

For people with Parkinson’s (PwP), support at the time of diagnosis and first years are critical in shaping future outcomes. International guidelines recommend education and referral to a multidisciplinary team right from the time of diagnosis to slow progression of symptoms, reduce falls, and optimise quality of life. However, in Tasmania this isn’t happening. Our researchers will collaborate with people with Parkinson’s Tasmanian Health Service, University of Tasmania and Parkinson’s Tasmania are collaborating with PwP, their care partners, and their families on this project to co-design, implement and evaluate a ‘Next Moves’ interdisciplinary program to improve care and ensure people with Parkinson’s PwP are supported at this critical time.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): assessing the effectiveness of prophylactics in Tasmania

Project team: Dr Christopher Atkinson, A/Prof Louise Cooley, Dr Nick Fountain-Jones.

This project will track RSV in Tasmania to see whether the virus develops genetic changes that could make it resistant to new vaccines and antibody treatments. At the same time, we our researchers will measure how well these tools prevent RSV-related hospitalisations in infants. By combining genetic surveillance with real-world data on vaccine and antibody effectiveness, this project will deliver vital evidence on the long-term strength of RSV preventatives. The results will help ensure that these new tools continue to reduce the serious health and economic burden of RSV on Tasmanian families, hospitals, and the wider community.

Screening for multiple sclerosis in high-risk populations: A pilot feasibility study and cost-effectiveness model

Project Team: Dr Yi Chao Foong, Dr Justin NG, Dr Glen Henson, Dr Valery Fuh-Ngwa.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic autoimmune neurodegenerative disease of young adults in Australia and a leading cause of lifelong disability. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to reducing long-term disability. There is now evidence that treating MS during the pre-symptomatic phase, termed radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS), prevents conversion to clinically definite MS by 70-80%. There is an identifiable high-risk population – first degree relatives (FDR) of people with MS (pwMS), who have a 2-10% chance of developing MS. As the state with the highest prevalence of MS, Tasmania is best placed for a pilot study of MS screening.

Developing a non-invasive screening test to detect the risk of Alzheimer's disease development

Project Team: Dr Jane Alty, A/Prof Lynette Golding, Dr Edward Hill, Dr Katherine Lawler, Dr Anju Bhagwat, Nadeeshani Fernando, Dr Larissa Bartlett, Mr Aidan Bindoff, A/Professor Quan Bai, Prof/ James Vickers.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is responsible for 70% of all dementia cases, starting to harm the brain over a decade before memory issues surface. Detecting AD earlier is crucial to lowering dementia rates. Our team, with 200 patients and 10,000 research participants, aims to create a test that identifies early AD through analysing hand movements and speech.

This project holds significant importance for society, health, and the economy. The planned test will non-invasively identify AD pathology, allowing individuals with early-stage AD to take proactive measures before irreversible brain damage occurs. This includes starting intensive risk modification efforts, which can slow or prevent 40% of dementia cases, and participating in drug trials. Early diagnosis will reduce hospital admissions and associated costs. These efforts contribute to curbing the escalating dementia care expenses, which already exceed $15 billion annually in Australia. Leveraging our national and international networks for widespread implementation, the project's outcomes are poised to have a global impact, transforming the landscape of dementia prevention.

Closing the Health Gap: Precision Care for Men with Prostate Cancer (PC4PC-TAS)

Project team: Dr Kelsie Raspin, Prof Jo Dickinson, Dr Jessica Roydhouse, Dr Matthew Wallis, Dr Sionne Lucas, Dr Liesel FitzGerald, A/Prof Rosemary Harrup, A/Prof Marketa Skala, A/Prof Louise Nott.

In Australia, precision medicine is delivering significant improvements in outcomes for several common cancers, yet such innovation for prostate cancer (PrCa) lags significantly behind, particularly in regional areas like Tasmania. This study will undertake the consumer-focused work necessary to design and deliver patient-centred genomic medicine in PrCa. This project is being conducted from 2023 to 2025.

Improving outcomes for Tasmanians diagnosed with lung cancer

Project team: Dr Ingrid Cox, Dr Nick Harkness, A/Prof Pieter Van Dam, Prof Andrew Palmer, Dr Barbara de Graaff, Mr Petr Otahal, Prof Martin Hensher, Dr Renae Grundy, Dr Emma Ball, Dr Allison Black, Dr Elizabeth Witherden.

Tasmanian lung cancer patients experience some of the worst outcomes nationally. Timely diagnosis and treatment improve survival and quality of life. To address this, the research team will investigate patient/service delivery factors that influence outcomes with the aim of co-designing and piloting strategies to improve outcomes for Tasmanian lung cancer patients.

Improved respiratory monitoring for preterm infants

Project team: Dr Andrew Marshall, Prof Peter Dargaville, Dr Tim Gale, Dr Brian Salmon. Dr Hanumesh Kenchapla.

Almost all preterm infants born with less than 30 weeks gestation experience frequent life-threatening pauses in respiration. Existing monitoring technologies are unable to detect these events with the accuracy and reliability necessary to prevent their harmful effects. Through this project our researchers aim to develop three respiratory monitoring sensors for use in preterm infants and develop improved signal processing algorithms capable of more accurately detecting respiratory pauses by combining data from diverse sensors.

A CNS Tumour Biobank for Tasmanians

Project team: A/Prof Rosemary Harrup, Prof Jo Dickinson.

This study will commence a biobank of primary CNS tumour samples to provide a resource for local researchers and facilitate linkages into the national Brain Cancer Biobanking Australia (BCBA) Bank to grow capacity and opportunities for Tasmanian brain cancer researchers and also provide future benefits for Tasmanian brain cancer patients.

Generously supported by BeGIN the cure

Shaking up our approach to detecting dementia: using tremor analysis to develop a new pre-cognitive test of dementia risk

From Reduction to Optimisation: Integrating an Alert System for Anticholinergic Medication in the Elderly

Project team: Dr Mohammed Salahudeen, D/Prof Gregory Peterson, Dr Blair Adamczewski, Dr Andrea Wilson, Mr Glen Bayer, Dr Woldesellassie Bezabhe, Dr Daniel Hoyle, Dr Elizabeth Webber, Dr Colin Curtain.

The safe and quality use of medicines is a new National Health Priority Area, with significant health consequences, particularly for older people. This innovative project will implement and evaluate a sticker alert system in the patient’s progress notes to optimise anticholinergic medication therapy to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes.

Are literacy skills recorded during history taking in mental health services? An objective assessment of practice.

Project team: A/Prof Amanda Neil, Prof David Castle, Prof Kimberley Norris, Dr Adriana Nevarez Flores, Dr Isabelle Bartkowiak-Theron, A/Prof Rachel Kornhaber, Dr Heather Bridgman, A/Prof Kate MacIntyre, Rosalie Martin, Prof Brett McDermott.

This project aims to find out if mental health clinicians record patients' language-literacy skills. Why does this matter? We Our researchers believe a person’s speech, and reading and writing skills can affect their mental health. Further, these skills can affect their engagement with clinicians and treatment. If health providers are aware of their patients' skills and needs, they can better understand and support them.

Addressing the disease burden and health resource cost of pancreatitis in Tasmania

Project team: Prof Richard Turner, Dr Sauro Salomoni, A/Prof Amanda Neil, Dr Joshua Blum, Dr Matthew Hutchinson, A/Prof Savio Barreto, Prof Minoti Apte.
Initial analysis of a Tasmania-wide selection of pancreatitis cases revealed significant links between socioeconomic disadvantage and acute pancreatitis. Cases were also rising over time, at a disproportionately higher rate for more disadvantaged groups.

Our researchers are applying advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to sociodemographic, clinical, and pathology variables contained in the original 12-year group (2007-2018), merged with a 5-year extension (2019-2023), provided by the Tasmanian Data Linkage Unit. This will inform more holistic, community-based management strategies.

Optimising Oral Anticoagulant Use in Hospitalised Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: An Opportunity Enhancement Intervention.

Project team: Dr Woldesellassie Bezabhe (CIA), D/Prof Greg Peterson, Dr Nathan Dwyer, Dr Corinne Mirkazemi, Dr Andrew Black, Dr Andrea Wilson, Camille Bond, Dr Mohammed Salahudeen, Prof. Jan Radford, Mr Belayneh Gelaw, Chanelle Brodie, Melinda Rose, Dr. Tristan Ling.

Appropriate use of oral anticoagulants (OACs) reduces the risk of stroke and death by 64% and 25%, respectively, in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A study comparing OAC prescribing at admission (community) and discharge (hospital) confirmed that, in routine care, the RHH team improved the guideline appropriateness of OAC use in patients with AF.

However, half of the patients with guideline-inappropriate OAC prescribing at admission were discharged without correction.

The efficiency of correcting inappropriate OAC use varied significantly across RHH wards. An intervention that enhances the likelihood of the RHH care team to correct inappropriate OAC use is required.

Linking brain to behaviour: Understanding neuroanatomical changes in the early stages of dementia

Project team: A/Prof Mark Hinder, Ms Sarah Kemp, Dr Pierre-Louis Bazin, A/Prof Jane Alty, Dr Rebecca St George, D/Prof James Vickers.

Dementia is the leading cause of death in Australian women. Intervention and treatment when provided in early dementia can improve the disease trajectory and prolong quality of life. However, early symptoms can vary, posing substantial challenges for clinicians.

This project investigates neuroanatomical differences in previously collected MRI scans of a large group of Tasmanians either with, or at risk of, dementia. By identifying MRI biomarkers and linking them to specific clinical behaviours or symptoms, the project will improve MRI scanning and analysis techniques to inform earlier diagnosis and more accurate dementia risk.

Bloodborne virus and sexually transmissible infections testing in Tasmania: a data linkage study

Project team: A/Prof Nicola Stephens, Ms Grace Bennett-Daly, A/Prof Louise Cooley, C/Prof Louise Owen, A/Prof Barbara de Graaf, Dr Jennifer Ayton, Dr Shannon.

Improving sexual and reproductive health remains a global health priority. A barrier is that many bloodborne viruses and sexually transmissible infections remain undiagnosed and untreated. A key strategy is to increase diagnoses through wider testing. This study will link all BBV and STI tests conducted in Tasmania from 2014 to 2023, to explore testing trends. The findings will enable targeted advice to healthcare providers and at-risk populations. Increased testing will lead to reduced mortality and morbidity, minimise personal and social impacts, and increase the likelihood of eliminating HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B and congenital syphilis in Tasmania.

Prevalence and costs of Parkinson’s Disease in Tasmania and Australia

Project team: A/Prof Barbara de Graaf, A/Prof Jane Alty, A/Prof Michele Callisaya, Dr Rebecca Heath, Dr Ting Zhao, Dr Karen Wills.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive, chronic neurological condition of ageing, causing major disability, with no cure or treatment to slow disease progression. Globally, the number of people living with PD has increased substantially, however, it isn’t known how many Tasmanians are living with PD. Similarly, in the US, PD costs around $500billion annually, but no economic evaluation has been conducted locally. Without understanding this, it is difficult to design cost effective health services that meet the needs of people with PD. This study will provide estimates of prevalence and costs for PD in Tasmania and nationally.

Geriatric Antipsychotic Stewardship (GApS) Program for Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms for Dementia and Delirium: a pilot study

Project team: Dr Daniel Hoyle, D/Prof Gregory Peterson, Dr Matthew Fasnacht, Dr Blair Adamczewski, Dr Mohammed Salahudeen, Prof Janette Radford, Dr Elizabeth Webber, A/Prof Lise Clinnick, Mr Jackson Crawn, Miss Jessica Spokes, Mr Amirezza Zobdeh.

The high prevalence of antipsychotic use in aged care has led to concern of inappropriate sedation. Emerging evidence suggests that hospitalisation is contributing to this issue. This study trials a geriatric antipsychotic stewardship program for non-psychiatric admissions of older people to improve antipsychotic use and review during and after hospitalisation.

Burnout in Health Professionals: The relationship between burnout, wellbeing and cognition, and directions for future research.

Project team: Dr Clare Ramsden, A/Prof Rene Stolwyk, Ms Caitlin Foley, Dr David Ladyman, Dr Toby Newstead.

Burnout is known to impact on healthcare workers, the healthcare system and on clinical outcomes for patients. Research suggests that burnout can affect thinking across several cognitive domains, and several studies identify self-reported cognitive changes are associated with burnout. This study aims to investigate the relationship between burnout, assessed cognitive changes and self-reported cognitive changes in health professionals, to establish a feasible method for assessing cognition in this health professional cohort, and consider impacts on healthcare delivery.

Targeted relief for chronic plantar heel pain: Investigating shockwave therapy for bone marrow lesions in the BALSA trial

Project team: Dr Jason Rogers (CIA), Prof Tania Winzenberg, Prof Graeme Jones, Dr Andrew Halliday, Dr Karen Wills.

In a controlled trial, our researchers will check if a treatment called shockwave therapy, which targets the bone, is safe and works for people with chronic plantar heel pain caused by a 'bone-bruise' (bone marrow lesion). The trial will be compared with a placebo treatment (sham shockwave) to see how well the treatment really works.

Generously supported by Hansen Yuncken

Reacting fast to detect dementia

Project team: Ms Xinyi Wang, A/Prof Jane Alty, Dr Rebecca St George, Dr Katherine Lawler, Dr Lara Ruthnam, Dr Jessica Collins, Kaylee Rudd.

Slight shaking in older people’s hands has generally been considered part of normal ageing. However, recent work suggests this ‘late-onset tremor’ indicates increased dementia risk – years before memory decline. Our researchers will precisely analyse hand tremors compared to a blood biomarker of neurodegeneration to determine how tremor predicts dementia risk.

Selection of Patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Rehabilitation

Project team: Prof Thomas Marwick, Ms Kittani Morrison, Dr Heath Adams, Dr Bill Martin

Many patients continue to have reduced exercise capacity after undergoing heart valve replacement. The potential causes of this are numerous, and some of them respond to exercise training. The problem is that while exercise training is slightly effective overall, some patients respond, and others do not. As training is expensive and difficult to deliver, and the results are uncertain, this is not offered as a routine. In this study, our researchers are undertaking exercise training in about 60 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement, to try to identify patterns that allow them to predict who will benefit.

Thiopurine metabolite monitoring for myasthenia gravis

Project team: Dr Yi Chao Foong, Dr Jennifer MacIntyre, Dr Casey Linton

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorder characterised by fatigable muscle weakness. Whilst it is uncommon, it causes significant disability and can be a life-threatening condition. Azathioprine is the current recommended first-line steroid-sparing agent. However, the practical use of azathioprine is difficult, with nearly 40% discontinuing treatment and significantly underdosing. This results in unnecessary use of steroids, IVIG and other rescue therapies, which come at significant cost to the patient and health system. By utilising thiopurine monitoring, we can potentially improve the use of azathioprine in MG.

Incorporating patient-reported outcome measures for Tasmanian children and adolescents into the Australian Cystic Fibrosis Data Registry

Project team: A/Prof Sean Beggs, A/Prof Rasa Ruseckaite, Ms Anne Rose, Ms Frances Palaya.

Our researchers aim to identify associations between clinical and demographic variables, and health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.