The Role Of A Presenilin 2 Truncation (PS2V) In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,741.00
Summary
The Presenilin and APP proteins are centrally important in inherited, early onset Alzheimer's disease. We have discovered that a shortened form of Presenilin protein, "PS2V", appears to increase specifically the rate at which the APP protein is cleaved to produce the "Amyloid beta" protein fragment that is found in Alzheimer's disease brains. This occurs when brain cells are under oxidative stress. Understanding this process will facilitate development of appropriate therapeutic strategies for t ....The Presenilin and APP proteins are centrally important in inherited, early onset Alzheimer's disease. We have discovered that a shortened form of Presenilin protein, "PS2V", appears to increase specifically the rate at which the APP protein is cleaved to produce the "Amyloid beta" protein fragment that is found in Alzheimer's disease brains. This occurs when brain cells are under oxidative stress. Understanding this process will facilitate development of appropriate therapeutic strategies for the disease.Read moreRead less
Delineating The Mechanism Of Amyloid Beta Toxicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$565,242.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease and beta amyloid toxicity: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by progressive memory loss, confusion, and cognitive deficits. In 2011, an estimated 269,000 Australians are currently living with dementia and without a significant medical breakthrough soon, it is anticipated that this will rise to about 981,000 by 2050
What Is The Effect Of Alzheimer’s Disease On Eye And Can Ocular Changes Be Used As Biomarker For Alzheimer’s Disease?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$718,002.00
Summary
Visual symptoms are frequent early complaints in Alzheimer’s (AD) patients. Examining eyes can be a simple, specific and inexpensive way to assess and diagnose AD and fill in an urgent need for a viable biomarker. Retina is unique part of central nervous system that can be imaged non-invasively and thus serves as a ‘window to the brain”. Monitoring the eyes will also help prevent negative effects of AD on vision by way of timely intervention, in addition to providing mechanistic insights in AD.
Elucidating The Neuroprotective Region Of The Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,556.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide and to date there is no therapy to ameliorate this injury. There is increased production of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) following TBI and recent studies have found that APP possesses neuroprotective traits. It is the aim of the current studies to delineate the specific active neuroprotective region of APP and develop them as novel therapeutic interventions for use in TBI.
Role Of Apolipoprotein D In Alzheimer's Disease And Frontotemporal Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$575,612.00
Summary
ApoD is a highly conserved lipocalin known for its antioxidant nature and role in regulation of inflammation. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are known to play a critical role in dementia. This project will study the association of apoD to inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in Alzheimer’s disease and Frontotemporal Dementia, two major forms of dementia. It will also examine the impact of apoD on disease pathology. Hence this project will lead us to therapeutic potentials of apoD.
The Role Of LIM Domain Kinase 1 In The Pathogenesis Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$565,531.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by progressive loss of cognition. Few Australians have remained untouched by the effects of Alzheimer’s disease in their families or social circles. Unfortunately, there is no cure and current therapies are limited to modest symptomatic relief. This project will explore the role of a protein that regulates the structural integrity of brain cells in disease, and test if targeting this protein could prevent disease progression.
Does IRAP Contribute To Alzheimer's Disease Pathology?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$743,042.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease which is results in memory loss and cell death. All currently prescribed drugs treat the memory loss but are unable to stop the deterioration of brain cells. We have developed a class of drugs that reverse memory loss. These drugs target a protein called insulin-regulated aminopeptidase, IRAP. We recently found that these drugs also reduce the disease pathology. This research proposal aims to investigate the role of IRAP in the initiation or pro ....Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease which is results in memory loss and cell death. All currently prescribed drugs treat the memory loss but are unable to stop the deterioration of brain cells. We have developed a class of drugs that reverse memory loss. These drugs target a protein called insulin-regulated aminopeptidase, IRAP. We recently found that these drugs also reduce the disease pathology. This research proposal aims to investigate the role of IRAP in the initiation or progression of Alzheimer’s disease pathology.Read moreRead less
Inflammation plays both protective and damaging roles in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), so to identify a long lasting and effective treatment, it is important that we better understand the underlying processes. Our studies implicate a cytokine called interleukin-18 (IL-18) as a factor that accelerates AD pathology. Here we propose to study the mechanisms by which this cytokine alters basic cell biological functions and how these changes affect AD pathogenesis.