The Department of Neuroscience at Barwon Health conducts research into the brain and the nervous system. Participating in large-scale global and national clinical trials as well as investigator initiated studies, we are held in high regard with our contribution to research into stroke, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND), headaches and migraines, and autoimmune encephalitis.
Barwon Health is the primary centre for the national Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research database, which has patients registered from all over Australia from the 13 major MND clinics.
We are also involved in investigating new therapies for MS, which are evolving rapidly. Due to their complexity, these therapies require a high level of testing and oversight and the department has a dedicated MS Nurse who monitors patients receiving these and other experimental therapies.
Research Areas
MND is a rare disease with no known cure.
We have been one of the lead sites in developing the MiNDAUS Registry which has replaced the Australian Motor Neurone Disease Registry (AMNDR) since 2020. Patient clinical data is captured and stored in the secure database at each clinic appointment with the treating Neurologist. Patients can also access, view and contribute health information about their needs and care directly into the MiNDAUS Registry if they choose to.
Information in the MiNDAUS Registry can be shared with the Sporadic ALS Australia- Systems Genomics Consortium (SALSA_SGC) project, enabling the linking of genotypes with clinical phenotypes.
Data from participation in the MiNDAUS Registry provides a national picture of MND, including patterns of disease presentation and progression. It aims to improve research into better treatments, provide patient-centred care, and one day a cure for MND.
This project is funded by National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia) (NHMRC) and is a collaboration with Deakin University and MND Australia.
For more information, please visit MiNDAUS
The trial developed by Professor Julie Bernhardt and a large team of collaborators through the Florey Institute is an international, investigator-led clinical trial developed in Australia. The trial is recruiting patients from acute hospitals across 7 countries around the world. Barwon Health has been recruiting patients since 2019 alongside 14 other Hospitals in Australia.
There is an ongoing uncertainty around the world about the safest and most effective early training approaches after stroke. The trial is testing a range of evidence-informed mobility-based treatment protocols to determine the optimal approach. Physiotherapists and nurses deliver the training, starting within 48hours post stroke onset and throughout the patient’s acute stay.
The protocols developed will be suitable for adoption in clinical practice in developed and developing countries to help reduce the burden of stroke-related disability, optimise post stroke recovery and improve quality of life, and close the gap around uncertainties in timing of early mobility training post stroke.
In addition, there is a range of Biomarker (genetics and imaging) sub-studies included for selected sites to examine recovery processes.
The NHMRC are funding the project. For more information please see: https://florey.edu.au/research-project/avert-dose-determining-the-most-effective-mobility-training-program-early-after-stroke/
Barwon Health is an associate site for the Autoimmune Encephalitis Consortium project- a partnership of nation-wide experts led by Dr Mastura Monif, Alfred Health, Monash University, Department of Neuroscience. The Australian Autoimmune Encephalitis Consortium will raise the profile of autoimmune encephalitis with the aim of gaining a better understanding of disease mechanisms, clinical manifestations, identification of biomarkers for accurate diagnosis, and optimising patient outcomes and quality of life.
The Consortium project has been funded by NHMRC MRFF. To find out more please visit https://www.monash.edu/medicine/autoimmune-encephalitis
Research Team
- Professor Paul Talman, Consultant Neurologist
- A/P Ben Clissold, Consultant Neurologist
- Dr Cassie Nesbitt, Consultant Neurologist
- Ms Katrina Sangster, Clinical Research Nurse
- Ms Michelle Hiddleston, Stroke Coordinator, Stroke Services
Research Grants
- MiNDAUS NHMRC partnership. Motor Neurone Disease: Patient centred care for a progressive neurological disease-evidence driving policy. Professor Paul Talman, 3 years
Featured Publications
| Vucic, S., Wray, N., Henders, A., Henderson, R., Talman, P., et al. (2022). MiNDAUS partnership: a roadmap for the management and cure of Motor Neurone Disease. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and frontotemporal degeneration. 23: 321-28 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/21678421.2021.1980889?needAccess=true |
| Bhattarai, A., Egan, G., Talman, P., et al. (2021). Magnetic resonance iron imaging in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. 55 (5), 1283-1300. |
| Talman, P., Duong, T., Vucic, S., Mathers, S., et al. (2016). Identification and outcomes of clinical phenotypes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Motor Neuron Disease: Australian National Motor Neuron Disease observational chart. BMJ Open; 6. https://doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012054 |
| Nesbitt, C., Rath, L., Yeh, W. Z., Zhong, M., Wesselingh, R., Monif, M., Richards, J., Minh, V. B., Jokubaitis, V. G., Skibina, O., Butzkueven, H., & van der Walt, A. (2020). MSCOVID19: Using social media to achieve rapid dissemination of health information. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2020.102338 |
| Nesbitt C, Rath L, Zhong M, Cheng AC, Butzkueven H, Wesselingh R, Skibina O, Monif M, Yeh W, Brotherton JM, Reddel S, Van Der Walt A. (2021) Vaccinations in patients with multiple sclerosis: review and recommendations. Med J Aust. May; 214(8):350-354. https://doi:10.5694/mja2.51012 |
| Roos, I; Diouf, I; Sharmin, S; Horakova, D; Havrdova, EK; Patti, F; …. Shaw, C; et al. (2023). Comparative effectiveness in multiple sclerosis: A methodological comparison. Multiple Sclerosis Journal. Vol. 29, pp. 326-332 https://hdl.handle.net/10779/DRO/DU:22421632.v1 |
| Saul, AM; Taylor, BV; Blizzard, L; Simpson-Yap, S; Oddy, WH; Shivappa, N; … Shaw, C; et al. (2023). A pro-inflammatory diet in people with multiple sclerosis is associated with an increased rate of relapse and increased FLAIR lesion volume on MRI in early multiple sclerosis: A prospective cohort study. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, Vol. 29, pp. 1012-1023 https://hdl.handle.net/10779/DRO/DU:23621223.v1 |
| Cadilhac DA, Kim J, Tod EK, Morrison JL, Breen SJ, Jaques K, Grimley R, Jones B, Cloud GC, Kleinig T, Hillier S, Castley H, Lindley RI, Lannin NA, Middleton S, Yan B, Hill K, Clissold BB, Mitchell PJ, Anderson CS, Faux SG, Campbell BCV. (2021). AuSCR COVID-19 Reporting Consortium Group. COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Care for Stroke in Australia: Emerging Evidence From the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry. Front Neurol. Feb 26; 12: 621495. https://doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.621495 |
| Lim, A., Singhal, S., Lavallee, P., Amarenco, P., Rothwell, PM., Albers, G., Sharma, M., Brown, R., Ranta, A., Maddula, M., Kleinig, T., Dawson, J., Elkind, M., Guarino, M., Coutts, S., Clissold, B., Ma, H., Phan, T. (2020). An International Report on the Adaptations of Rapid Transient Ischaemic Attack Pathways During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases. 29 (11) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105228 |
Support Our Research
Participate in a clinical trial
To find out about clinical trials currently underway at Barwon Health, click here.
Donate
Clinical trials require ongoing investment and there are several ways to support this amazing work.
You can make a donation today and contribute to an item on our research wish list, consider a bequest in your will, or establish a lasting legacy fund in your name. No matter what size, your philanthropic support with deliver an immediate impact.
To donate now or for more information and further discuss your support, please contact the Barwon Health Foundation.
Wish List
To fund a 3 year Clinical Research Nurse position for clinical trials implementation in MND and stroke: >$20,000
Page last updated: December 23, 2024