Harnessing The Human Postmortem Brain To Elucidate Changes In FK506 Binding Protein (FKBP5) In The Neuropathology Of Severe Psychiatric Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,052.00
Summary
The postmortem human brain is a unique source to search for the pathological basis of severe psychiatric disorders including major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Postmortem tissues are however being underutilised. This project will apply a selection of powerful biochemical measuring techniques to postmortem human brain tissues to uncover the molecular pathways of severe psychiatric disorders, which is knowledge that can lead to better treatments, preventions and cures.
The fundamental problem with pain is that it cannot be seen. We can see injury, but pain and injury are quite often not related. Brain imaging has demonstrated consistent patterns of activity when we feel pain, and long-term changes that happen in chronic, i.e. persistent, painful disorders. This project will use the best technology available to investigate the basics of how our brains perceive pain, and to shed light on some of the brain mechanisms that underpin chronic pain.
The Retina As A Chemogenetic Target For The Treatment Of Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Treatments for depression are often poor because they lack selectivity. By inserting receptors that respond to an inert drug, Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) can turn on-or-off very specific classes of cells, providing an exciting treatment direction for depression and other neuropsychiatric diseases. The long term goal of this project is to create a highly effective DREADD-based treatment for depression, which is activated by either eye drops or a pill.
The Role Of Innate Immune Memory In The Transition From Acute To Chronic Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$331,440.00
Summary
Chronic pain costs Australians more than $34 billion annually and is the 3rd highest Australian disease burden. It has long been thought to be a disease of the wiring of the brain. This project aims to challenge this long held belief by examining the impact of the immune system in creating chronic pain. Such work promises to provide new and better ways to prevent chronic pain, which will improve & maintain good health for all Australians.
Assessing The Efficacy Of Safe And Simple Neuroprotective Treatments For Chronic Degenerative Conditions Of The Central Nervous System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,860.00
Summary
Current treatments for age-related diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are limited. We have shown in animal models of acute CNS degenerations that treatment with saffron or low energy infrared light is strongly protective. This project will determine if these treatments prevent CNS damage and dysfunction in animal models of chronic degenerations and add to knowledge of how these treatments work. This research should lay the foundation for testing these novel treatments in humans.
Characterisation Of Eating Behaviour And Metabolic Phenotypes Across Neurodegenerative Diseases: Insights For Survival And Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,891.00
Summary
It has been suggested that metabolic changes and eating behavior could modify the progression of neurodegeneration. This research aims using brain imaging, pathological examination and novel techniques from obesity research to examine if there are characteristic metabolic changes in patients with frontotemporal dementia, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease; how these changes relate to eating behavior, and how they may affect disease progression and survival.
Interaction Of Amyloid-beta And Tau Pathology In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,592.00
Summary
Currently, over 200,000 Australians are affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related forms of dementia, causing a huge socio-economic damage. To overcome the lack of effective treatments, we need to understand the underlying causes and translate them into therapy. Using state-of-the-art cell culture and genetic mouse models, I will reveal fundamental processes in AD and related dementias, and develop tailored treatments to battle these devastating disorders.