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News Items

New Funding for Sleep Research in Tetraplegia.21/09/06

IBAS researcher Dr David Berlowitz has been awarded funding for important research investigating sleep disordered breathing in spinal cord injury.

New COPD educational course..01/08/06

IBAS have developed a new course aimed at providing an update on COPD - the 'next Australian lung disease epidemic'.

Australia on brink of 'lung disease epidemic'.16/11/05

Australia faces a lung disease epidemic, particularly among women, new research shows (article from The Australian)

Sleep deprivation, alcohol and driving.01/11/05

The combined effects of alcohol consumption and sleep deprivation on driving ability have been assessed by IBAS researchers with some surprise findings.

Should oxygen be used whilst driving?.07/10/05

This important research aims to answer the question of whether people who use supplemental oxygen need to use it whilst driving.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea..15/03/04

This is one of the major research initiatives that senior IBAS researchers have been busy planning for the institute's research program over the coming years.

Lifestyle Modification in Patients with Sleep Disorders..15/03/04

This research proposal aims to systematically assess the effectiveness of lifestyle modification in treating mild to moderate sleep apnoea.

New quality assurance initiative in respiratory measurement..22/05/03

IBAS has announced a unique, externally coordinated quality assurance project in the assessment of interlaboratory variability in respiratory function testing.

Successful fundraising luncheon.05/03/03

The first IBAS fundraising luncheon was held on 19/2/2003 and raised over $10,000 for IBAS research initiatives.

HealthBreak is here.05/03/03

HealthBreak, a major IBAS initiative aimed at preventing workplace injury, accidents and illness in the transport industry, is up and running.

David Parkin to speak at IBAS luncheon.10/01/03

Multi-premiership AFL coach David Parkin will be guest speaker at our fundraising luncheon to be held at the Melbourne Town Hall on February 19, 2003.

Brain research in obstructive sleep apnoea.21/11/02

IBAS has been awarded a 3-year NHMRC grant to use state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging to investigate brain function in patients with OSA.

A Healthbreak for Transport Drivers.25/10/02

IBAS and the Transport Workers Union will provide a free health assessment for heart disease and sleep disorders for thousands of transport drivers from January 2003.

Professor Pierce Returns from Sabbatical.23/10/02

Following a successful sabattical leave spent researching in Boston, Mass., IBAS CEO Rob Pierce has recently returned to Melbourne.

Sleep disorders in the transport industry.02/11/01

IBAS, the TWU and the Victorian Workcover Authority are involved in a large epidemiological investigation of sleep disorders in transport workers.

Sleep quality matters after spinal injury..02/11/01

New drug therapies for COPD..02/11/01

In collaboration with Boehringer-Ingelheim, IBAS will be involved in a multicentre research trial investigating novel treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, starting early in the new year.

Brain imaging in sleep disorders.02/11/01

Professor Pierce announced a new funding alliance with ResMed, a major supplier of sleep related breathing disorder equipment.

New Funding for Sleep Research in Tetraplegia
21 September 2006
IBAS researcher Dr David Berlowitz has been awarded funding for important research investigating sleep disordered breathing in spinal cord injury.
David has received funding from the Victorian Trauma Foundation to investigate the utility of CPAP treatment in managing sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in tetraplegia - a condition resulting from spinal cord injury where there is loss of functioning in both arms and legs. Whilst CPAP is the most effective treatment in obstructive sleep apnoea, the feasibility of its use in tetraplegia has not been previously assessed. This research project will objectively determine the impact of this treatment on quality of life and functional outcomes of sleep.

Dr Berlowitz is also in the process of finalizing funding details for a second, larger project designed to determine the incidence of sleep disturbances in Victorians with tetraplegia. David plans to document the frequency, nature and severity of sleep disturbances both by questionnaire, and by conducting full polysomnography in the home. This is the first systematic investigation of its kind in the world and its findings will provide the framework from which future research and treatment of neurotrauma can be directed. By detecting and treating sleep disturbances these studies will provide direct and immediate benefits for the subjects involved and in addition, they will reduce the cost to the community for these profoundly disabled individuals. More details on the Sleep Health in Tetraplegia research program may be obtained from David via the link below.