ProfessorJames Elliott

Project Opportunities

Title: Neuromuscular Mechanisms Underlying Poor Recovery following Head/Neck Trauma

Summary of opportunity:

My laboratory investigates the neuromuscular mechanisms underlying the transition from acute to chronic pain following musculoskeletal trauma (generally) and head/neck trauma (specifically) from a motor vehicle crash (MVC).

Many of our ongoing experiments focus on the use of structural and advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications to quantify the temporal development of muscle degeneration and altered spinal cord anatomy as potential cellular and molecular substrates of persistent pain following whiplash injuries.  Broad applications of our work includes preventing, diagnosing, and treating whiplash related pain and its sequelae.  This research is based on clinical and research experience and has expanded through interdisciplinary efforts involving the fields of magnetic resonance physics, radiology, biomedical engineering, speech pathology, neurophysiology and physiotherapy.

Other ongoing and developing experimental lines include the quantification of biologically based stress/immune processes that are driven by stress-induced changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression that may play a role in the recovery process following traumatic injury.

Opportunity synopsis:

Our research is focused on understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the transition from acute to chronic pain following traumatic injuries (generally) and whiplash injury from a motor vehicle collision (specifically).  We use structural and advanced magnetic resonance imaging applications to quantify the temporal development of altered spinal cord physiology and muscle degeneration as potential cellular and molecular substrates of persistent pain-related disability.

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Project Opportunities

Title: Harnessing Data for Better Health - Triangulating the patient's pain experience

Summary of opportunity:

My laboratory investigates the neuromuscular mechanisms underlying the transition from acute to chronic pain following musculoskeletal trauma (generally) and head/neck trauma (specifically) from a motor vehicle crash (MVC).

Many of our ongoing experiments focus on the use of structural and advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications to quantify the temporal development of muscle degeneration and altered spinal cord anatomy as potential cellular and molecular substrates of persistent pain following whiplash injuries.  Broad applications of our work includes preventing, diagnosing, and treating whiplash related pain and its sequelae.  This research is based on clinical and research experience and has expanded through interdisciplinary efforts involving the fields of magnetic resonance physics, radiology, biomedical engineering, speech pathology, neurophysiology and physiotherapy.

Other ongoing and developing experimental lines include the quantification of biologically based stress/immune processes that are driven by stress-induced changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression that may play a role in the recovery process following traumatic injury.

Opportunity synopsis:

Our research is focused on understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the transition from acute to chronic pain following traumatic injuries (generally) and whiplash injury from a motor vehicle collision (specifically).  We use structural and advanced magnetic resonance imaging applications to quantify the temporal development of altered spinal cord physiology and muscle degeneration as potential cellular and molecular substrates of persistent pain-related disability.

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Project Opportunities

Title: Predictors and mediators of swallowing and voice deficits following whiplash trauma: Is it biology or psychology?

Summary of opportunity:

My laboratory investigates the neuromuscular mechanisms underlying the transition from acute to chronic pain following musculoskeletal trauma (generally) and head/neck trauma (specifically) from a motor vehicle crash (MVC).

Many of our ongoing experiments focus on the use of structural and advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications to quantify the temporal development of muscle degeneration and altered spinal cord anatomy as potential cellular and molecular substrates of persistent pain following whiplash injuries. Broad applications of our work includes preventing, diagnosing, and treating whiplash related pain and its sequelae. This research is based on clinical and research experience and has expanded through interdisciplinary efforts involving the fields of magnetic resonance physics, radiology, biomedical engineering, speech pathology, neurophysiology and physiotherapy.

Other ongoing and developing experimental lines include the quantification of biologically based stress/immune processes that are driven by stress-induced changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression that may play a role in the recovery process following traumatic injury.

Opportunity synopsis:

Our research is focused on understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the transition from acute to chronic pain following traumatic injuries (generally) and whiplash injury from a motor vehicle collision (specifically). We use structural and advanced magnetic resonance imaging applications to quantify the temporal development of altered spinal cord physiology and muscle degeneration as potential cellular and molecular substrates of persistent pain-related disability.

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Project Opportunities

Title: Increase the understanding of degenerative cervical myelopathy and its most effective treatments.

Summary of opportunity:

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy is the leading cause of spinal cord injury. Unlike other spinal cord injuries, it is often without any traumatic event and occurs from ageing related changes that slowly compress on the spinal cord causing pain and impaired movement. In this project, you will work with a multi-disciplinary team of neurosurgeons, physiotherapists, neurologists, pain physicians, and other medical specialists. This project will focus on a combination of study designs (i.e., systematic reviews, clinical trials) to improve the quality of the evidence to improve outcomes for patients. You will also work with members of myelopathy.org and Cambridge University as part of an international collaboration.

The Masters/PhD will be completed in Sydney, with the main base at the Susan Wakil Health Building at the University of Sydney main campus. There will be an opportunity to work within the local health districts with a multi-disciplinary team of neurosurgeons, physiotherapists, pain physicians, and other medical specialists.

Opportunity synopsis:

You will complete a series of research works to increase the understanding of degenerative cervical myelopathy and what are the most effective treatments.