The University of New South Wales

A game-based intervention developed by the University of New South Wales has shown potential as a drug-free treatment for chronic pain. HOW IT WORKS Called PainWaive, the neurofeedback intervention includes a kit with an EEG headset and a tablet preloaded with a game application. The game app trains users to regulate abnormal brain activity associated with chronic nerve pain. It responds in real time to shifts in brain wave patterns, which are tracked via the EEG headset. The user data is uploaded and transmitted to the research team for remote monitoring. Additionally, mental strategies are also provided to help users optimise their brain activity. According to UNSW, the research team developed their own EEG headset through 3D printing, as existing commercial systems were either costly or did not meet the quality needed for the project. A research team from UNSW and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) recently conducted the first trial of the intervention with four participants. FINDINGS Based on findings published in Elsevier's The Journal of Pain, the neurofeedback intervention caused a "medium effect on pain severity and interference across participants." However, it was also noted that the "variability in outcomes highlights the need for future research to better understand individual responses and optimise the intervention effect." At the individual level, three of the four participants had significant reductions in pain following the intervention. "Restrictions in the study’s size, design and duration limit our ability to generalise the findings or rule out placebo effects. But the results we’ve seen are exciting and give us confidence to move to the next stage and our larger trial," stressed research co-lead Dr Negin Hesam-Shariati of UNSW’s NeuroRecovery Research Hub. Researchers hope that the program could one day be offered as an at-home pain management solution for those with limited or no access to traditional treatments. For now, the research team is preparing a broader trial, aiming to recruit 224 patients dealing with nerve pain from a spinal cord injury. THE LARGER TREND The PainWaive project builds on the seminal research into brain changes associated with nerve pain by UNSW professor Sylvia Gustin. "The brainwaves of people with neuropathic pain show a distinct pattern: more slow theta waves, fewer alpha waves, and more fast, high beta waves. We believe these changes interfere with how the thalamus talks to other parts of the brain, especially the sensory motor cortex, which registers pain," she said. Last month, Mobihealth News reported on a study co-led by Prof Gustin demonstrating the potential of a digital therapeutic to retrain the brain's processing of emotions related to chronic pain. That study and the PainWaive project are two of more than a dozen collaborations by UNSW and NeuRA centred on Prof Gustin's research. Another project utilises virtual reality and real-world touch stimulation to help patients with complete spinal cord injuries relearn to feel. UNSW and NeuRA are now preparing for trials of two neuromodulation technologies: one will investigate its potential to reduce chronic spinal pain, and the other will explore its use in treating chronic neuropathic pain in people with a spinal cord injury.

$2M funding for carers of CALD people with dementia Independent non-profit National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) has received federal grant funding for its project enabling digital support for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people with dementia. It obtained A$2.9 million ($1.8 million) from the Medical Research Future Fund for its five-year project, which will trial the iSupport program, an online skills and training program for informal carers of people with dementia developed by the World Health Organization. NARI will convene an advisory group of carers, policymakers, and service providers who will govern and facilitate access to iSupport. The digital intervention program is available in six languages, including English, and comes with a companion version for carers. "We're working to address challenges for CALD Australian carers of people with dementia who lack caregiving skills and have trouble accessing culturally appropriate services," explained Tuan Nguyen, associate professor and NARI principal research fellow and project lead. AI-powered silicosis breath test developed in NSW Researchers from the University of New South Wales have developed an AI-enabled breath test for the early diagnosis of silicosis. The lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of silica dust has been a major occupational health concern in Australia. UNSW Sydney researchers created the rapid breath test, which combines mass spectrometry and AI, to support large-scale silicosis screening of the increasingly incurable yet preventable condition. They demonstrated through a study the ability of the breath test to differentiate between individuals with silicosis and those who are unafflicted with high accuracy. The screening process takes less than five minutes, showing potential use for routine check-ups of at-risk workers in mining and construction. The research team at UNSW Sydney are now validating the AI-driven silicosis test further in a study involving larger cohorts. Wellumio enters AI integration partnership New Zealand-based medical device company Wellumio has partnered with stroke AI solution provider Nicolab from the Netherlands for technology integration. Under their memorandum of understanding, the companies will integrate Nicolab's AI-powered clinical decision support system for diagnosing stroke into Wellumio's portable MRI device. The Nicolab stroke AI platform was recently deployed across Queensland public hospitals as part of the statewide telestroke service. They will also explore funding opportunities and regulatory pathways for the potential deployment of their integrated solution. Queensland startup to roll out eye screening AI in India TeleMedC, an eye health startup in Queensland, has recently entered into a strategic partnership to expand across India. With backing from Trade and Investment Queensland, its partnership with local startup AND Healthcare aims to promote and deploy its AI-powered solution for screening eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular diseases. TeleMedC has also recently formed collaborations with Aravind Eye Hospital and other medical institutions in the country through the support of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund. Moreover, the startup is in talks with small and medium enterprises to integrate AI-based eye screening into their corporate social responsibility programs.

SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AdvanCell, a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company developing innovative cancer therapeutics, today announced $18M in Australian Federal Government Funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Frontiers Initiative for ‘Defeating Prostate Cancer with Targeted Alpha Therapy’. One out of eight men develops prostate cancer. With the support from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Frontiers Initiative, the goal of the multidisciplinary multi-institutional investigator team is to transform the clinical management of prostate cancer by leveraging leading therapeutic radiopharmaceutical technology paired innovative clinical development and a deep understanding of tumour biology to improve the lives of patients with prostate cancer. The research program is enabled by AdvanCell’s proprietary (Lead-212) 212Pb alpha isotope production technology along with the delivery of a first-in-field clinical platform trial to accelerate the translation of 212Pb-based targeted alpha therapies, one of the most exciting breakthroughs in cancer treatment. Dr. Anna Karmann MD PhD, AdvanCell Chief Medical Officer said: "On behalf of all Co-Investigators, I would like to thank the Australian Government and MRFF Frontiers Initiative committee for this prestigious award. Targeted alpha therapies are among the most promising in oncology. We believe this MRFF-funded research can be practice changing and have a lasting positive impact on the lives of patients with prostate cancer. We highly value the support and opportunity this funding provides to fast-track translation and accelerate the development of novel combination therapies in an industry-academic partnership." AdvanCell is collaborating with world-leading experts in Australia and globally, underpinning the transformative nature of the important clinical research. The clinical PIs include internationally renowned physician scientists Prof. Louise Emmett (St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney and University of New South Wales) and Prof. Shahneen Sandhu (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne). Prof. Louise Emmett: "This collaborative Frontiers grant gives us the tools to deeply evaluate optimal combinations with targeted alpha therapy in prostate cancer – aiming for longer better lives using great technology in a smart way." Prof. Shahneen Sandhu: "Our MRFF grant will accelerate the development of innovative targeted alpha therapy combinations designed to enhance patient care and clinical outcomes." Scientific investigators include Prof. Richard Payne (The University of Sydney), Prof. Matt Trau, Dr. Alain Wuethrich, Dr. Kevin Koo (The University of Queensland), Dr. Scott Lovell (University of Bath), A/Prof. Serigne Lo (Melanoma Institute Australia) and Dr. Thomas Kryza and Dr. Simon Puttick (AdvanCell). Prof. Stephen Rose, Head of Translational Medicine and Clinical Science at AdvanCell, highlighted the importance of the MRFF funding. "The MRFF funding supports Australian innovation to drive the establishment of sovereign manufacturing capabilities to accelerate clinical translation of 212Pb-targeted alpha therapy." About AdvanCell AdvanCell is dedicated to developing innovative cancer therapies that harness the power of targeted alpha-emitting radionuclides. By combining advanced manufacturing capabilities with cutting-edge science and clinical development capabilities, AdvanCell aims to deliver novel treatments that improve outcomes for cancer patients globally. For more information, visit www.advancell.com.au.