Bone and Mineral Research
Bone health in children and young people with epilepsy treated with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) - also offered as MBiomedSc
Supervisors: Profesor John Wark, Dr Peter Simm, Professor George Werther, Dr Sandra Petty
Project Site: Department of Medicine (RMH)
Contact: Professor John Wark T: 9342 7109 E: jdwark@unimelb.edu.au
Project Description: Epilepsy and the use of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are known to be associated with low bone mass and the risk of bone disease. In most patients, AED therapy once initiated is taken for many years if not for life. Moreover, it is well-established that AED therapy is a major cause of bone fractures in our community. However, there are still limited data concerning bone problems in children and adolescents taking these medications. We propose a novel study to explore their bone health looking at a number of measures, including analysing bone geometry and bone strength, which have not been described previously in this cohort. We will also follow these patients’ growth and development as well as their bone mass accrual and the number of fractures and other injuries that they sustain. These data will give great insight into the effects of epilepsy and its treatment on bone health and lead to improved management of bone health issues in young patients taking AEDs. The findings also will help us to establish a clinical model for the management of bone health in these patients.
Students undertaking this project will gain substantial experience in clinical study design, data collection and management, data analysis and interpretation, as well as translational aspects of biomedical research.
Real world assessment of falls risk using novel mobile technology - also offered as MBiomedSc
Supervisor: Prof John Wark, Dr Tharshan Vaithianathan, Dr Frances Batchelor
Project Site: Department of Medicine (RMH), National Ageing Research Institute, Parkville.
Contact: Professor John Wark E: jdwark@unimelb.edu.au
Project description: Comprehensive testing regimens for balance and falls risk require sophisticated, expensive laboratory resources and highly-trained staff. The test procedures also do not truly simulate daily living conditions where most falls occur. This project will comprise clinical testing of a novel approach to falls risk assessment using simulated daily living conditions and mobile sway detection technology incorporating low cost inertial sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers) developed by National ICT Australia (NICTA). The ability to detect age-related differences in performance and impairments, particularly in postural sway, associated with a history of falls will be evaluated and compared with conventional testing procedures. Students will gain first-hand experience in a wide range of functional motor testing, the use of novel motion-sensing technology including signal processing, and in the quantitative analysis of movement data.