Senior Research Fellow
The Menzies Research Institute
Macquarie Street 23,
Hobart TAS 7001
T + 61 (03) 6226 7710
Publications
Google Scholar: I van der Mei
PubMed: van der Mei IA
Research Interests
Dr van der Mei focuses her work on factors (eg sun exposure, infection load, EBV infection, diet, stress) that influence the onset of Multiple Sclerosis and factors that modify the progression of the disease. She also examines how genes and environmental factors interact with each other to cause disease. Lastly, her work focuses on vitamin D deficiency in Australians.
Information on Vitamin D levels for People with Multiple Sclerosis
Clinical trial
The Menzies Research Institute
The Immune Disorders and Neuroscience Unit includes work that is aimed at preventing the onset or impact of various chronic diseases of the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, and also immune disorders, such as childhood asthma. The largest program of work is in the area of multiple sclerosis. The Menzies Research Institute commenced work on the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in 1998.
AUSImmune Study
The Menzies Research Institute has joined forces with other Australian research bodies to study the influence of environmental factors on the immune system in a national study. The AusImmune Study aims to examine whether there is a latitudinal gradient of increasing first demyelinating episode (FDE) incidence with increasing latitude in Australia during 2003-2006. In addition it will assess whether particular lifestyle or environmental factors are associated with the occurrence of a FDE. The multi-centre study is being conducted in four regions: Metropolitan Brisbane, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, Geelong and Barwon District and Tasmania.
Chief Researchers:
Professor Anne-Louise Ponsonby
Professor Terry Dwyer
Dr Ingrid van der Mei
Collaborators:
Associate Professor Bruce Taylor, Department of Neurology,
Royal Hobart Hospital
National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health,
Australian National University
Barwon Health, Geelong, Royal Melbourne Hospital and the
University of Melbourne
Hunter Health and the University of Newcastle
The University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane Hospital and
Queensland Institute of Medical Research
Funding bodies:
National Health and Medical Research Council
United States National Multiple Sclerosis Society
MS Society of Tasmania
Contact:
Brenda Wood
Research Nurse
Telephone: (03) 6226 7762
Longitudinal Cohort Study of Multiple Sclerosis in Southern Tasmania
This three year observational study is examining whether certain lifestyle and environmental factors influence the progression of MS. Environmental factors of interest include ultraviolet radiation exposure, diet, female hormones and infections.
Chief Researchers:
Professor Anne-Louise Ponsonby
Professor Terry Dwyer
Dr Ingrid van der Mei
Dr Fotini Pittas
Collaborators:
Associate Professor Bruce Taylor, Department of Neurology,
Royal Hobart Hospital
Dr Peter Gies, Australian Radiation Laboratory
Funding bodies:
National Health and Medical Research Council
MS Trish Foundation
Contact:
Dr Ingrid van der Mei
Research Fellow
Telephone: (03) 6226 7710
Tasmanian Multiple Sclerosis Research Program (Environmental Component)
The Tasmanian MS Research Program is a population based case-control study which is examining the link between high past sun exposure and risk of multiple sclerosis.The study is also looking at the relationship between MS, past infections and sibship structure, which is an indirect measure of the timing of infection load, as well as other environmental exposures which may influence risk of developing MS.
Chief Researchers:
Professor Anne-Louise Ponsonby
Professor Terry Dwyer, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne
Dr Ingrid van der Mei
Collaborators:
Dr Helmut Butzkueven, Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne
Dr Andrew Kemp, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Sydney
and Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney
Dr Trevor Kilpatrick, Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne
Dr Rex Simmons, Canberra Hospital
Associate Professor Bruce Taylor, Department of Neurology,
Royal Hobart Hospital
Funding bodies:
National Health and Medical Research Council
Australian Rotary Health Research Fund
MS Society of Australia
Contact:
Dr Ingrid van der Mei
Research Fellow
Telephone: (03) 6226 7710
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Environmental & Genetic Epidemiology Research
Research overview
The environment of the developing fetus, infant and young child is an important health determinant, not only for child health but of adult disease. It is now becoming increasingly recognised that the environment may act not only directly on a child but also by altering the function of the genes that a child has. It is thought that some of these actions may only occur at certain stages of development in early life.
This research group aims to identify the environmental determinants of disease with an inclusive focus that also includes an aim of understanding the mechanisms through which such environmental factors exert their effects.
Current research projects provide investigations of infant health, childhood asthma and allergy, other immune disorders such as Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis and dyslexia. A wide range of environmental exposures are studied, including early life infection, nutrition and physical environment within and beyond the home.
Current Research
Project 2: The role of EBV and HHV-6 infection in demyelinating disease with a consideration of past UVR exposure
This study aims to examine how the viral load and antibody responses to Epstein Barr Virus and Human Herpes Virus 6 differ between people with early demyelinating disease and healthy controls. This two year study is funded by the NHMRC.
Project 3: Identification of a gene that increases the risk of Multiple Sclerosis via a pathway involving UV exposure
This project builds on past work to try and understand the genetic basis of why reduced sun exposure in early life may be associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis. This NHMRC funded study is due for completion in 2007.
Project 5: A case control study of past sun exposure and first demyelinating events
This large Australian multicentre study aims to identify the environmental factors that underlie the latitudinal gradient of multiple sclerosis in Australia, with higher disease prevalence in Southern regions. This five year study is funded by the United States National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The Australian National University
Current Research Project Funded by the National MS Society (USA) > Australia
Anthony J. McMichael, MBBS, PhD
The Australian National University
Canberra, Australia
4/1/03-3/31/08; $617,717
“A case control study of past sun exposure and first demyelinating events” Investigating whether vitamin D, through sunlight exposure, reduces the risk of developing MS.
Worldwide, MS occurs with much greater frequency in higher latitudes (above 40° latitude) away from the equator, than in lower latitudes, closer to the equator. One possibility is that an environmental factor in these areas may contribute to the development of MS, or protect against it. Anthony J. McMichael, MBBS, PhD, is investigating the possibility that this factor may be exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun. MS is less common in tropical areas, which are exposed to greater UVR than temperate zones, and recent research indicates that UVR (or vitamin D synthesized via UVR exposure) can dampen the immune attack. This might provide a biological mechanism for reduced MS where UVR exposure is higher.
Dr. McMichael is enrolling 570 people who are at high risk for MS (individuals who have experienced a single, isolated neurologic event suggesting demyelination, loss of nerve-fiber insulation), and 876 people without MS. Participants live in various communities in Australia where the north-south latitude impact on MS prevalence is marked and where a similar gradient in UVR exposure is seen. Dr. McMichael is comparing lifetime sun exposure in these two groups using advanced imaging technology to examine skin, measuring vitamin D status (produced by UVR), and administering a questionnaire about sun exposure.
This study may bring us new insight into non-genetic factors that may make people susceptible to the development of MS, and may suggest new avenues for treatment or prevention.
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