Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR)


http://www.waimr.uwa.edu.au

Recruiting Now

In order to achieve our goals, we rely heavily on the assistance of members of the public who are willing to join our clinical trials. The research projects listed below are currently recuiting volunteers:


Trial Details
ACDDR In order to develop targeted preventative treatments for diabetes, genetic risk factors must first be identified. This process requires access to a large number of samples. The Australian Childhood Diabetes DNA Repository (ACDDR) was developed to collect DNA from families effected by diabetes nationally and make DNA available to all qualified Australian researchers enhancing their ability to identify causes of diabetes. Further information is available from the ACDDR website.

Volunteer Details: The ACDDR is searching for 3000 children diagnosed with Type 1 or child-onset Type 2 diabetes to participate with their parents. To find out more information, please contact the Network Co-ordinator, Sarah Dye, on (08) 9224 0340.

Drinking Tea This study will examine the long term effects of drinking tea on blood vessel function, blood pressure and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Further information is available in this media statement.

Volunteer Details: The research team is searching for 100 men and women between the age of 35 and 75 years old to take part in this project. To find out more about the study or to take part, please contact the Centre for Food and Genomic Medicine on (08) 9224 0313.

IBIS II The aim of the worldwide IBIS II study is to find out whether the medication Arimidex, or anastrozole, can reduce the incidence of breast cancer in post-menopausal women who have an increased risk of developing the disease. For the next five years, the IBIS II study will monitor 6,000 women across the globe. Further information is available in this media statement.

Volunteer Details: If you are a post-menopausal woman aged between 40 and 70 and have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, please call Suzanne on 1800 640 709.

QoLCog Study The Quality of Life in Dementia project is seeking to understand how some key factors in dementia, such as forgetfulness, might impact the quality of life of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Further information is available in this media statement or from the QoLCog Study webpage.

Volunteer Details: People diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease aged over 65 who are living in the community, and healthy volunteers aged over 65 with no obvious signs of memory problems, should phone Pascalle Bosboom on 9224 3417 or Cheryl Ackoy on 9224 2855 for further information.

STOPAT The STOPAT Trial (Systematic Termination Of Pharmaceutical Agents Trial) will trial safely easing patients off medications they no longer need, either because the medical condition the drugs were prescribed for is no longer present or because they have been incorrectly prescribed in the first place. Further information is available in this media statement or from the STOPAT webpage.

Volunteer Details: Eligible volunteers for the STOPAT Trial need to be aged 50 or older and taking blood pressure, heart, fluid or pain killing medicine which they are concerned may be unnecessary. Potential volunteers should call Ms Rhana Arnold on 9224 1338.

VITA-D The purpose of this randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial is to investigate whether supplementation with vitamin D for 18 months in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment who have low vitamin D levels, can help to reduce future cognitive decline. Further information is available from the VITA-D webpage.

Volunteer Details: Anyone over the age of 65 who is concerned about their memory should phone Cheryl Ackoy on 9224 2855 for further information.

DIRECT The underlying idea of DIRECT is that the quality of care given to residents with dementia affects their quality of life. While quality of life is a subjective concept, we all intuitively know that it measures one of the most important areas of a person's health. Therefore, we wish to test the idea that if education is delivered to those who care for people with dementia, then it will have a positive impact on the happiness and satisfaction that residents feel. Further information is available from the DIRECT webpage.

Volunteer Details: If you are a General Practitioner, Residential Aged Care Facility staff member, caregiver, or a person living with dementia, we invite you to contact us about being involved in this large scale project, the first of its kind in Australia. Please phone Kelly Banz on 9224 8440 for further information.

Pagets Disease WA scientists are looking for volunteers for further research that has already delivered an important discovery which could uncover new treatments for chronic bone diseases. The study investigating the genetic causes of Paget's disease of the bone (PDB) - a painful condition that causes bone inflammation and deformity - has revealed a new mutation in a gene linked to the disease. The mutation was detected in a WA patient. Further information is available in this media statement.

Volunteer Details: People affected by Pagets should call Lynley Ward on (08) 9346 2370.

PACE There is some suggestion that in older adults increased participation in mentally stimulating leisure activity (eg. reading; completing crossword puzzles) is associated with better cognitive (mental abilities) performances and a reduced risk of dementia. The purpose of the PACE study is to further explore this issue and to investigate whether a cognitive activity program, especially designed for older adults with mild memory problems, is beneficial for memory and well being. Further information is available from the PACE webpage.

Volunteer Details: Older adults aged 65 and over, who are concerned about their memory, and are interested in participating in the project, are invited to call Cheryl Ackoy on 9224 2855 between 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.