Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 100,000 Canadians. The disease involves the degeneration of nerve cells that produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) that transmits messages between cells. Insufficient dopamine interrupts the message flow, leading to loss of motor function. Various drugs are used to treat Parkinson’s, but they can cause debilitating side effects and become less effective after prolonged use. Patients with Parkinson’s disease often experience major depression. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which is widely used to treat depression, appears to improve the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s as well. Elissa Strome is investigating whether ECT has beneficial effects in the brain regions associated with Parkinson’s disease. She aims to determine how ECT affects transmission of brain signals and improves motor symptoms. This research could reveal if ECT is an effective treatment for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Research Location: University of British Columbia - Point Grey
Motuporamine C: a novel compound to examine the intracellular pathways governing neuronal outgrowth
About 36,000 Canadians live with a spinal cord injury. Lifetime cost of treating these injuries range from $1.25 million to $25 million per person, depending on the level of injury. Following a spinal cord injury, the traumatized area of the body prevents nerve cells from regenerating. Kenneth To is studying how nerve cells move from the spinal cord to various locations in the body, and which proteins guide these cells to their final destination. Identifying the proteins responsible for nerve cell movement could enable regeneration of nerve cells after a spinal cord injury. As a long-term goal, Kenneth aims to identify new targets for promoting nerve cell regeneration following a spinal cord injury.
A randomised controlled trial of a home based strength and balance retraining program in older persons presenting to the emergency department with a fall or related injury
In BC, falls are the most common cause of injury leading to hospitalization of people over 65. Older people with fall-related injuries severe enough to require a visit to an emergency department are at particularly high risk of falling again and incurring further injuries. Current treatment guidelines encourage an extensive and costly course of care for these individuals, including physiotherapy, ophthalmology, family physician support and occupational therapy. Meghan Donaldson’s research has shown that many at-risk patients do not receive this course of care. Meghan is investigating whether a home-based strength and balance retraining program can prevent subsequent falls in people who have already been treated in an emergency department for a fall. The research could provide evidence that a simple and cost-effective exercise program, involving fewer referrals than what current guidelines call for, could successfully reduce falls in older adults at risk of injury due to falls.
Bone-conduction auditory steady-state response thresholds: Effects of maturation and hearing loss
Tests to detect hearing loss measure the ability of sound vibrations at different frequencies to reach the brain. Hearing tests measure the ability to hear either air-conducted sounds (sounds that reach the inner ear through the ear canal) or bone-conducted sounds (sounds transmitted through bones in the ear and skull). Susan Small received a 2001 MSFHR Trainee Award to study an emerging method for testing hearing focused on auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs), which objectively measure response to sound stimuli. Studies show that ASSRs can accurately estimate hearing levels for air-conducted sounds. However, there is no data on the effectiveness of ASSRs in measuring hearing levels in infants for bone-conducted sounds. Susan is building on her earlier research by estimating bone-conduction hearing thresholds for infants when using ASSRs. Results from this research could improve hearing assessments and early diagnosis of hearing loss in infants.
Patterns of social anxiety in Chinese and European Canadian populations
Many people experience the social anxiety of being uncomfortable in certain social situations. But social anxiety can develop into social phobia, a clinical condition characterized by excessive fear related to attention and scrutiny by others that can significantly impair quality of life. Surveys in Asia have shown Asians experience considerably less social phobia than Western populations. But North American studies show Asians report higher levels of social anxiety than Caucasians. Lorena Hsu is examining two possible explanations for this discrepancy: Asians are less impaired by social anxiety and therefore less likely to develop social phobia, or Asians are less likely to openly admit to symptoms of social phobia. Using data collected from questionnaires and interviews of Chinese and European Canadians, Lorena will determine which explanation provides a better account of the discrepancy. This study could help explain how people in different cultures experience and express social anxiety, and contribute to development of culturally appropriate mental health services.
Assessing the role of neighbourhoods in the school readiness of kindergarten children in British Columbia
Research has documented that a child’s immediate surroundings affect early development. Neighborhood variables such as socioeconomic status, cohesion, safety, and access to community resources (e.g. childcare, libraries) are amongst those factors that can affect child health and development. However, there is little Canadian research that addresses this connection. Vanessa Lapointe wants to fill that gap by studying how neighbourhood conditions affect the developmental health of British Columbian kindergarten children across five developmental categories: physical health and well-being; social competence; emotional maturity; language and cognitive development; and communication skills and general knowledge. This research will be helpful in designing early intervention programs to assist children who may otherwise lack the developmental foundation needed to be successful as they begin school.
The role of peer relationships in physical activity motivation and participation among young adolescents
Physical activity provides numerous health benefits, but most Canadian youth are not active enough to receive these benefits. The growing trend of inactivity has serious health implications for youth now and into adulthood. A number of theories on motivation suggest that peer relationships influence adolescents’ motivations and behaviour, but little research has explored the influence of peers on physical activity. Meghan McDonough is surveying 500 high school students to determine the role of peer relationships in physical activity motivation and behaviour. She also aims to identify specific elements of peer relationships that are key influences of physical activity motivation and behaviour. Results from the research could contribute to development of programs that motivate youth to participate in physical activity.
An analysis of the structure of life satisfaction as an indicator of adolescent quality of life in context of health
Quality of life has become an important outcome of health care practice and research. Quality of life measurements are increasingly being used to determine the appropriateness of various treatment approaches. However, quality of life research has focused primarily on adult and senior populations, with little research examining quality of life among adolescents. In a study targeting adolescents aged 13 to 19 who attend BC high schools, Richard Sawatzky is researching the effectiveness of the Multidimensional Student Life Satisfaction Scale in measuring adolescent quality of life. Using data obtained with the scale, he is examining how differences in perceived and observed physical and psychological health affect adolescents’ perceptions of family life, friendships, school life, living environment and themselves. Health professionals could use findings from the research to develop health promotion initiatives and treatments that address the particular needs of adolescents.
Effects of acute and chronic exercise on mental health, sexual functioning and hormone level in premenopausal women
Regular aerobic exercise can significantly improve physical and mental health. Exercise helps prevent and treat heart disease, hypertension and stroke. It also alleviates stress, anxiety and depression. Yet little research has been undertaken to access the impact of exercise on sexual functioning in women, even though sexual health is increasingly recognized as an important part of overall well-being and quality of life. Research involving men suggests regular aerobic exercise can enhance sexual desire, frequency and satisfaction. Amanda LaMarre is investigating how short-term and regular aerobic exercise affects sexual arousal and functioning in women, with a focus on physical, hormonal and psychological changes created by exercise. The results could help women with satisfactory sexual functioning and those experiencing sexual difficulties learn how to enhance their sexual, physical and emotional health.
Examining day-to-day stress and coping among individuals with spinal cord injury: effects on mood, functional ability and health status
Spinal cord injuries lead to a variety of outcomes because of the unique nature of such injuries. Although the level of injury accounts for many of the differences in recovery among people with spinal cord injuries, it doesn’t fully explain differences in functional ability and adaptation to life after an injury. Evidence suggests the way people cope with a life-altering spinal injury may be as important to their recovery and health status as the extent of their injury or the care received. Sharon Lee is studying the impact of different coping behaviours on rates and extent of physical and mental recovery from spinal injury. Through face-to-face and telephone interviews, Sharon is investigating the relationship between stress, coping strategies and social support in people with spinal cord injuries. Results from the research could be used to develop therapies that help newly injured individuals cope and readjust to life with the best possible health status.