$19 million for brain and spinal cord injury research

05 Feb 2009

Media Release: 05 February 2009

Victorians will lead four teams of neurotrauma experts that have today received a total of almost $19 million for additional research in brain and spinal cord injury.

Minister for the TAC Tim Holding said the research programs funded by the Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative (VNI) cement the state’s reputation as a centre of neuroscience excellence.

"This funding boost will help improve health outcomes for people with brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries are debilitating and require lifelong care and are often the unfortunate result of motor vehicle accidents," Mr Holding said.

"Victorian medical experts will lead teams from 30 different research departments from universities and hospitals in Victoria, across Australia and in the United Kingdom and Canada."

Approximately 290 new cases of severe spinal cord injury occur in Australia every year with 43 per cent caused by motor vehicle accidents. In addition, there are about 30,000 new hospital admissions from traumatic brain injury each year with 66 per cent caused by motor vehicle accidents.

The fourth round of funding was launched in February 2008 and attracted twenty-five expressions of interest. Twelve of these programs were subsequently awarded funds to facilitate the development of a full funding proposal. Following a rigorous evaluation process, the $19 million in funding was awarded as follows:

• Professor John Furness, The University of Melbourne, $4.9 million
  Autonomic dysfunction in spinal cord injury: a strategy for improved treatment and understanding of bowel, blood pressure and bladder disorders.
• Associate Professor Russell Gruen, The University of Melbourne, $4.4 million
  Improving evidence-based care and the outcomes of patients with traumatic brain injury through a program to facilitate knowledge transfer and exchange.
• Professor Mary Galea, The University of Melbourne, $4.7 million.
  SCIPA (Spinal Cord Injury and Physical Activity): Intensive exercise from acute care to the community
• Professor Robert Pierce, Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, $4.9 million
  Optimising Sleep in quadriplegia: mechanisms and management.

"These projects are a great example of how the Victorian Government can encourage further collaboration between neurotrauma researchers, clinicians and facilities," Mr Holding said.

The VNI is a $63 million health research fund that supports research into Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) conducted by Victorian scientists in collaboration with national and international colleagues. It was established in 2005 with funding from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.

For program details, visit VNI's website