Christchurch researchers investigate health issues

News Release
 

7 June 2007

STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL THURSDAY 7 JUNE 2007

Christchurch researchers investigate major NZ health issues

Heart injury and mental health are two significant health issues to be investigated by Christchurch researchers following the latest funding round results announced by the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) today.

HRC Sir Charles Hercus Research Fellow, Dr Chris Pemberton from the University of Otago’s Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences (CSMHS), is researching a promising new biomarker in the blood which could specifically and rapidly identify heart injury.

Dr Pemberton and the team at the University’s Christchurch Cardioendocrine Research Group have been working on a peptide biomarker which has great potential to reduce the time of diagnosis for heart injury, as the peptide peaks in blood much earlier than current measures.  This project will extend the research currently underway.  

Professor Douglas Sellman, also based at CSMHS, will undertake a study into “alcoholic depression”; depression in alcohol dependent people. Despite being very common, it is unclear how best to treat people with this combined problem. The national study will investigate the combination of antidepressants with anti-craving medications for “alcoholic depression”.

Funding has also been extended to two major Christchurch-based research programmes. Longitudinal studies in mental health and wellbeing, led by Professor David Fergusson at CSMHS, have received an additional $3.8 million. These include the Christchurch Health and Development longitudinal study, a major, internationally recognised longitudinal study which has tracked the health and wellbeing of more than 1000 children born in Christchurch in 1977; the Canterbury Suicide project; and the Early Start Field Trial – a trial of a family support programme for at risk families with young children.

The Mental Health Clinical Research Unit lead by Professor Peter Joyce at CSMHS has received $3.3 million additional funding. The programme will continue its trials into bipolar disorder and bulimia and the genetics of depression.

Dr Robin Olds, HRC Chief Executive, says this year’s funding round was very competitive and the successful research teams showed the potential to conduct world-class research.

“The HRC is pleased to continue its funding to the world-class research groups based at CSMHS,” he says.

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