Overview
Background
Dr Julie Wixey is a Senior Research Fellow at the Perinatal Research Centre and Group Leader in fetal growth restriction research at The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR). She currently holds an NHMRC Investigator grant (2023-2027). Her research focusses on mechanisms, detection, and treatment of brain injury in fetally growth restricted babies.
Fetal growth restriction (FGR), where a fetus fails to grow normally in utero, is a leading cause of death and long-term disability with around 32 million babies born FGR globally each year. The fetal brain is particularly vulnerable to FGR conditions, and adverse outcomes cause life-long difficulties ranging from schooling and behavioural issues to cerebral palsy. These disabilities occur in up to 50% of FGR infants and have significant impacts on their lives. There is no treatment to protect the FGR newborn brain.
Dr Wixey is investigating how inflammation is associated with brain injury in the growth restricted newborn. She is examining novel detection methods of brain injury and applying different treatments to the clinically relevant growth restriction animal model, targeting both inflammation and blood brain barrier integrity to protect the vulnerable newborn brain.
Research Projects
• Mechanisms of brain injury in growth restriction
• Novel detection methods of brain injury in the growth restricted newborn using blood biomarkers
• Treatments to protect the growth restricted newborn from adverse brain outcomes
Availability
- Dr Julie Wixey is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), James Cook University
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Neonatal brain injury
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Neuroinflammation
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Neuroprotection
Research impacts
My research, using the clinically relevant animal model of fetal growth restriction (FGR), has:
1) provided new evidence that brain injury persists even after the FGR baby is born, and
2) demonstrated treating after birth protects the FGR brain.
My work exposed a novel opportunity to treat FGR newborns after birth by targeting inflammation to protect the FGR newborn brain. This attracted significant media attention with 16 national and international media outlets citing these publications. My ABC interview resulted in online and radio releases. Articles reporting on this research include Medical Xpress (United Kingdom), Readers Digest (Canada), Sydney Morning Herald, and The Age reflect interest extending from scientists to clinicians and general public.
Works
Search Professor Julie Wixey’s works on UQ eSpace
2016
Conference Publication
Inflammation, microglial and astrocyte response in the intrauterine growth restricted neonatal brain
Wixey, Julie, Muller, Camille, Sullivan, Susan, Colditz, Paul and Bjorkman, Stella Tracey (2016). Inflammation, microglial and astrocyte response in the intrauterine growth restricted neonatal brain. 25th Annual RBWH Health Care Symposium, Herston, QLD Australia, 12-16 September 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Investigation of the impact of seizures on disruption to the blood-brain barrier following neonatal hypoxia-ischaemia
Goasdoue, Kate, Miller, Stephanie, Chand, Kirat, Wixey, Julie, Colditz, Paul and Bjorkman, Tracey (2016). Investigation of the impact of seizures on disruption to the blood-brain barrier following neonatal hypoxia-ischaemia. Queensland Perinatal Consortium, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: University of Queensland, 15 July, 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Neuroinflammatory response in the growth restricted neonate
Wixey, Julie, Muller, Camille, Chand, Kirat, Sullivan, Susan, Colditz, Paul and Bjorkman, Stella Tracey (2016). Neuroinflammatory response in the growth restricted neonate. Australasian Neuroscience Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Hobart, TAS Australia, 4-7 December 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Pilot trial of early blood transfusions for supporting cardiovascular function and cerebral oxygen delivery in preterm piglets
Eiby, Yvonne, Bjorkman, Tracey, Wixey, Julie, Chand, Kirat, Colditz, Paul and Lingwood, Barbara (2016). Pilot trial of early blood transfusions for supporting cardiovascular function and cerebral oxygen delivery in preterm piglets. 30th Annual meeting Fetal and Neonatal Workshop of Australia and New Zealand, Magnetic Island, QLD, Australia, 19-21 May 2016.
2015
Conference Publication
Inflammation in the growth restricted newborn brain
Wixey, J. A., Colditz, P. B. and Sullivan, S. M. (2015). Inflammation in the growth restricted newborn brain. 24th Annual RBWH Healthcare Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 12-16 October 2015.
2015
Conference Publication
Erythropoietin decreases brain injury and improves glial outcomes in newborn hypoxic-ischemic piglets
Sullivan, S. M., Wixey, J. A., Sullivan, R. K. P. and Colditz, P. B. (2015). Erythropoietin decreases brain injury and improves glial outcomes in newborn hypoxic-ischemic piglets. 24th Annual RBWH Healthcare Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 12 - 16 October 2015.
2013
Journal Article
Neonatal hypoxia-ischaemia disrupts descending neural inputs to dorsal raphé nuclei
Reinebrant H.E., Wixey J.A. and Buller K.M. (2013). Neonatal hypoxia-ischaemia disrupts descending neural inputs to dorsal raphé nuclei. Neuroscience, 248, 427-435. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.06.016
2012
Other Outputs
Effects of hypoxia-ischemia on the serotonergic system in the neonatal brain
Wixey, Julie Anne (2012). Effects of hypoxia-ischemia on the serotonergic system in the neonatal brain. PhD Thesis, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland.
2012
Journal Article
Post-insult Ibuprofen Treatment Attenuates Damage to the Serotonergic System After Hypoxia-Ischemia in the Immature Rat Brain
Wixey, Julie A., Reinebrant, Hanna E. and Buller, Kathryn M. (2012). Post-insult Ibuprofen Treatment Attenuates Damage to the Serotonergic System After Hypoxia-Ischemia in the Immature Rat Brain. Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology, 71 (12), 1137-1148. doi: 10.1097/NEN.0b013e318277d4c7
2012
Journal Article
Disruption of raphe serotonergic neural projections to the cortex: a potential pathway contributing to remote loss of brainstem neurons following neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury
Reinebrant, Hanna E., Wixey, Julie A. and Buller, Kathryn M. (2012). Disruption of raphe serotonergic neural projections to the cortex: a potential pathway contributing to remote loss of brainstem neurons following neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. European Journal of Neuroscience, 36 (11), 3483-3491. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2012.08276.x
2012
Journal Article
Evidence that the serotonin transporter does not shift into the cytosol of remaining neurons after neonatal brain injury
Wixey, Julie A., Reinebrant, Hanna E. and Buller, Kathryn M. (2012). Evidence that the serotonin transporter does not shift into the cytosol of remaining neurons after neonatal brain injury. Neuroscience Research, 73 (3), 252-256. doi: 10.1016/j.neures.2012.04.002
2012
Journal Article
Disruption of the serotonergic system after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia in a rodent model
Buller, Kathryn, Wixey, Julie and Reinebrant, Hanna (2012). Disruption of the serotonergic system after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia in a rodent model. Journal of Neurology Research International, 2012 (1) 650382, 650382.1-650382.12. doi: 10.1155/2012/650382
2011
Journal Article
Ibuprofen inhibits neuroinflammation and attenuates white matter damage following hypoxia-ischemia in the immature rodent brain
Carty, M.L., Wixey, J.A., Reinebrant, H.E., Gobe, G., Colditz, P.B. and Buller, K.M. (2011). Ibuprofen inhibits neuroinflammation and attenuates white matter damage following hypoxia-ischemia in the immature rodent brain. Brain Research, 1402, 9-19. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2011.06.001
2011
Journal Article
Efficacy of post-insult minocycline administration to alter long-term hypoxia-ischemia-induced damage to the serotonergic system in the immature rat brain
Wixey, J. A., Reinebrant, H. E., Spencer, S. J. and Buller, K. M. (2011). Efficacy of post-insult minocycline administration to alter long-term hypoxia-ischemia-induced damage to the serotonergic system in the immature rat brain. Neuroscience, 182, 184-192. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.03.033
2011
Journal Article
Inhibition of neuroinflammation prevents injury to the serotonergic network after hypoxia-ischemia in the immature rat brain
Wixey, Julie A., Reinebrant, Hanna E. and Buller, Kathryn M. (2011). Inhibition of neuroinflammation prevents injury to the serotonergic network after hypoxia-ischemia in the immature rat brain. Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology, 70 (1), 23-35. doi: 10.1097/NEN.0b013e3182020b7b
2011
Conference Publication
Loss of brainstem serotonergic neurons after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia is partly mediated via disruption of serotonergic fibres projecting to the damaged forebrain
Reinebrant, H. E., Wixey, J. A. and Buller, K. M. (2011). Loss of brainstem serotonergic neurons after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia is partly mediated via disruption of serotonergic fibres projecting to the damaged forebrain. 15th Annual Congress of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ), Hobart, Australia, 10-13 April 2011. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2011.02046.x
2011
Conference Publication
Serotonergic system damage is alleviated by post-insult ibuprofen treatment following hypoxia-ischemia in the preterm brain
Wixey, J. A., Reinebrant, H. E. and Buller, K. M. (2011). Serotonergic system damage is alleviated by post-insult ibuprofen treatment following hypoxia-ischemia in the preterm brain. 15th Annual Congress of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ), Hobart, Australia, 10-13 April 2011. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2011.02046.x
2010
Journal Article
Long-term losses of amygdala corticotropin-releasing factor neurons are associated with behavioural outcomes following neonatal hypoxia-ischemia
Carty, Michelle L., Wixey, Julie A., Kesby, James, Reinebrant, Hanna E., Colditz, Paul B., Gobe, Glenda and Buller, Kathryn M. (2010). Long-term losses of amygdala corticotropin-releasing factor neurons are associated with behavioural outcomes following neonatal hypoxia-ischemia. Behavioural Brain Research, 208 (2), 609-618. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.01.007
2010
Journal Article
Differential effects of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury on brainstem serotonergic raphe nuclei
Reinebrant, Hanna E., Wixey, Julie A., Gobe, Glenda C., Colditz, Paul B. and Buller, Kathryn M. (2010). Differential effects of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury on brainstem serotonergic raphe nuclei. Brain Research, 1322 (C), 124-133. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.01.065
2009
Journal Article
Delayed P2X4R expression after hypoxia-ischemia is associated with microglia in the immature rat brain.
Wixey, Julie A, Reinebrant, Hanna E, Carty, Michelle L. and Buller, Kathryn M. (2009). Delayed P2X4R expression after hypoxia-ischemia is associated with microglia in the immature rat brain.. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 212 (1-2), 35-43. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2009.04.016
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Julie Wixey is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Long-term neuroprotection in the growth restricted newborn
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Blood biomarkers to detect adverse brain outcomes in fetal growth restriction
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Novel targeted therapies to improve brain outcomes in growth restricted newborns
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Proteomic landscapes in early brain development and neuropathological implications of fetal growth restriction
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Aven Lee
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Doctor Philosophy
Examining long-term neuroprotection in the growth restricted newborn
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Blood biomarkers to detect brain injury in the growth restricted newborn
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Aven Lee
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
A novel stem cell therapy for the treatment of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy of the newborn
Associate Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Blood-brain barrier disruption in a model of neonatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Julie Wixey directly for media enquiries about:
- Biomarkers to detect newborn brain injury
- Growth restriction
- Neonatal brain injury
- Neuroinflammation
- Perinatal neuroscience
- Preterm birth
- treatments for newborn brain injury
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