Dr Jamie Bellinge
Multimodality Imaging of the Sympathetic Nervous System for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment
The University of Western Australia
Funding: $99,850
Coordinating Principal Investigator: Dr Jamie Bellinge
Co-Investigators: Professor Markus Schlaich, Professor Carl Schultz, Professor Paul Parizel, Dr Matthias Jung, Dr Louise Woodhams, Dr Jeremy Ong
Our bodyʼs “fight or flight” system helps us respond appropriately to stress, but when inappropriately overactive, it causes raised blood pressure and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
It is difficult to reliably measure the “fight or flight” system in people, and therefore, it is difficult to know how and when to intervene.
This study is exploring new, safe and accurate ways to measure the “fight or flight” system, so that those at greatest risk can be identified and offered preventative treatment. Using advanced scans such as MRI and PET, this study aims to assess whether changes in a bundle of nerves in the abdomen reflect abnormalities in the activity of a personʼs “fight or flight” system.
Participants with varying levels of predicted “fight or flight” dysfunction, based on their medical conditions, will undergo these scans. The results could provide a breakthrough tool to guide care and reduce the burden of heart disease and stroke in the community.