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University of Sydney researcher wins neuroscience award

Friday July 27, 2007

University of Sydney researcher Dr Janette Vardy , has been awarded a Pfizer Australia Neuroscience (NSR) grant worth up to $55,000 for research into the effects of chemotherapy on cognitive functioning in patients with bowel cancer.

Dr Vardy was acknowledged at the 5 th Annual Pfizer Australia NSR awards ceremony at the Sydney Hilton on Friday, July 27.

An Australian Physicians Independent Committee (APIC) determined the winning NSR grants for proposals for basic and clinical research across the broad field of neuroscience, including but not necessarily confined to psychiatry, pain medicine and neurology.

Dr Vardy, who recently returned from Canada, where she was working on this study, said her research is aimed at determining the underlying cause of cognitive impairment in patients with colorectal cancer.

Dr Vardy said: “cancer survivors experience cognitive difficulties as a side effect of treatment that negatively impacts their functioning and quality of life. We are looking at both male and female patients and exploring, among others the possibility that cognitive decline results from the release of cytokines during chemotherapy.”

For more information on the Pfizer Australia NSR Grants visit www.nsrgrants.com.au

Pfizer Australia is the nation’s leading research-based health care company. It develops, manufactures and markets innovative medical treatments for both humans and animals. Pfizer Australia is investing more than $45 million in local research and development. For more information visit the links on this website.