Volitional And Non-volitional Control Of Human Balance: Normal Physiology And Changes With Ageing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$383,066.00
Summary
How does the brain control balance when we stand? Our research shows that two very distinct processes operate to produce distinct postural, perceptual and cardiovascular outcomes. These experiments investigate the neurophysiology that coordinates these systems and what happens with age. The results will fundamentally change views on balance control. Balance problems are common in neurological disorders and old age. Knowing how balance works will improve diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
Genomics Of Antiepileptic Drug-induced Stevens Johnson Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,817.00
Summary
Epilepsy affects 3% of people. Severe skin reactions to anti-epileptic drugs are unpredictable and potentially fatal. This project aims to better understand the complex genetic architecture of these reactions using the latest sequencing platforms applied to a unique collection of samples, followed by functional analysis. The findings will enhance the practice of precision medicine in epilepsy treatment, shed light on the mechanisms of these reactions, and inform better drug design in the future.
Neural Control Of Behavioural State And Cognition - Role Of Nucleus Incertus And Relaxin-3
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,771.00
Summary
Dementia and mental illness are significant social and economic burdens worldwide and knowledge of underlying causes and more effective therapies are required. Our research is using preclinical models to characterize a little studied neural network in the control of arousal states, rhythmic brain activity, and learning and memory. Our findings could advance the development of improved treatments for cognitive deficits in degenerative, age-related and psychiatric disorders.
Targeting Autism With Macrocephaly Using Mechanism Based Therapeutics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$831,652.00
Summary
Autism affects a large number of children in our community and currently there is a lack of any medication to treat its core pathology. In this grant we will study the underlying biochemical changes in the brain that result in autism through the development of a new mouse model of the disorder. This mouse model will then be used test drugs to identify therapeutic targets for the treatment of autism.
Investigating Mechanisms Of Axonal Pathology Following Oligodendrocyte Apoptosis: Avenues For Neuroprotection In Early MS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$678,138.00
Summary
Recent research suggests that Multiple Sclerosis could first be triggered by the death of a type of brain cell called an oligodendrocyte. These cells insulate nerve cells in the brain which help them function normally. We will test the idea that death of oligodendrocytes impairs nerve cell function by causing inflammation and by depriving nerve cells of energy. We will determine whether preventing inflammation and feeding the nerve cells an alternative source of energy can restore normal functio ....Recent research suggests that Multiple Sclerosis could first be triggered by the death of a type of brain cell called an oligodendrocyte. These cells insulate nerve cells in the brain which help them function normally. We will test the idea that death of oligodendrocytes impairs nerve cell function by causing inflammation and by depriving nerve cells of energy. We will determine whether preventing inflammation and feeding the nerve cells an alternative source of energy can restore normal function.Read moreRead less
Epilepsy is often poorly controlled by medication and dietary measures can be taken that reduce occurrence of epileptic seizures. Glucose control is impacted by diet and also mutations in the genes that move glucose around the body are known to cause epilepsy. Here we will be studying how the genetic and dietary control of glucose levels impacts brain function to increase seizures and to potentially reveal novel therapies.
An Australasian, Multi-centre, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial Of The Efficacy Of Fluoxetine In Improving Functional Recovery After Acute Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,306,367.00
Summary
Stroke is one of the top three causes of disability. Treatments that improve recovery after stroke are lacking. We reviewed the world literature and found a number of very small studies which, together, suggest that the antidepressant drug, fluoxetine, may improve the recovery in stroke patients. AFFINITY is a large trial in 1600 Australians and New Zealanders with stroke which aims to find out whether taking fluoxetine for 6 months after a stroke improves recovery compared to a placebo.
A Novel Mechanism For Therapeutically Modulating Neurotransmitter-activated Ion Channels
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$667,529.00
Summary
This project aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which macrocyclic lactones bind to brain ion channel receptors. This will reveal fundamental new insights into the operation of these receptors and will have important implications for the design of novel treatments for a variety of central nervous system disorders.
We have previously made the most widely used animal brain atlas in the world. This atlas based on stained histological sections of the rat brain. In recent years, advances in MRI have made it possible to generate images of the rat brain at very high resolution. We have obtained a very high quality MRI image set from colleagues in Duke University in the USA, and we have begun to map these images in great detail, using our histological atlas as a guide.
A New Animal Model Of The Prodrome In Schizophrenia. Enhanced Dopamine In Prodromal Schizophrenia (EDiPs)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$571,990.00
Summary
Psychiatrists now recognize a pre-symptomatic stage is present in people at risk of developing schizophrenia. Using new brain imaging techniques we now know that some of these individuals have changes in a major neurotransmitter, dopamine, prior to being diagnosed. We have developed a new model in animals, which recreates these exact same changes at a comparable age. We want to now understand what are the broader effects in the brain and try and block these changes in dopamine with new drugs.