Current funding opportunities for ASBAH Research
The current major funding opportunities for research projects approved by ASBAH's Medical Advisory Committee include:
Living with Hydrocephalus as an Adult
A new ASBAH -funded study, based at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, is analysing the challenges experienced by people with hydrocephalus as they move through adulthood, including both physical and psychological functioning. Aspects such as memory, language, attention, and mood will be examined in relation to everyday living, through a series of structured tests. The project will develop strategies for intervention, as well as information and guidance for dissemination. The study has been initiated at the request of adults with hydrocephalus, and will cost £26000.
Antenatal MRI Scans to Diagnose Spinal Abnormalities
This project combines high-tech equipment with high-level expertise, aiming to show that MR Imaging can provide highly detailed pre-natal information when a baby is thought to have a neural tube malformation such as spina bifida. In the initial stage, ASBAH is providing £36,000 to fund the scanning and related costs for 36 women referred to Sheffield University from all parts of England and Wales. The scan information is already proving invaluable to clinicians in planning the delivery and medical management of the baby. We hope that as a result of this study, MR Imaging will come to be accepted as the standard approach everywhere in detailed diagnosis of spina bifida.
Dietary Supplements to prevent Foetal-onset Hydrocephalus
The traditional explanation of hydrocephalus as solely the effect of mechanical pressure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the skull, causing damage to brain development, is now being challenged. This project has analysed the complex biochemistry of CSF, studying the proteins, enzymes and other components, believing that normal CSF contains all the elements required for the viability and differentiation of neural stem cells. Experiments suggest that early and correct supplementation might prevent the onset of fluid obstruction in susceptible foetuses, and so prevent hydrocephalus. ASBAH is providing financial support to the University of Manchester to help this study over 3 years.
Long-term Study of People with Spina Bifida in the Community
This unique study, supported by ASBAH, has followed a complete cohort of over 100 people born with severe spina bifida almost 40 years ago, who were all neurologically examined at birth. Useful information has consistently been provided on their medical, social and personal histories, their challenges and achievements. Interventions such as neurosurgery, urology and orthopaedics are recorded, and major outcomes interms of lifestyle, employment, independence and mobility. The 40-year stage of this internationally acclaimed study is being supported by ASBAH at a cost of £10,000.
Prevention of Spina Bifida by Inositol: Study by the Institute of Child Health, London.
ASBAH is co-operating with this important randomised clinical trial which is investigating whether the vitamin inositol can help prevent spina bifida and other neural tube defects (NTD). This stage of the study aims to recruit 100 women who have had a previous NTD pregnancy. While it is known that the vitamin folic acid can prevent two-thirds of cases of spina bifida, there is evidence that a deficiency of inositol may also play a part.
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