Abeta Amyloid Imaging In Neurodegenerative Disorders With A Novel 18F Radiotracer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,084,266.00
Summary
Alzheimer's disease is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disease, and the most common cause of dementia. It is estimated that 212,000 Australians suffer from dementia and this will rise to approximately 730,000 by 2050. Currently there are no definitive diagnostic methods for AD. The research proposed in this application describes the evaluation of a new imaging radiotracer that would be suitable for widespread non-invasive diagnosis of AD.
Advances in positron emission tomography now allow specific pathological features of many brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease to be measured with a brain scan during life. This Fellowship will assist Professor Rowe and his team in their world leading work on new PET scanning techniques to improve diagnosis and assist the development of treatment for Alzheimer's and other degenerative diseases of the brain.
GloBal RetinAl Imaging CoNSorTium FOR AzheiMer's Disease (BRAINSTORM)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$393,099.00
Summary
The retina of the eye displays features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have developed a new way to take photos of the eye with a rainbow-coloured flash to detect signs of AD. We now want to test how this and other eye imaging methods compare with brain scans and spinal fluid tests to identify people who are at risk of AD. We will use clinical studies, artificial intelligence, mouse models of AD and donated human tissues to achieve our aims. Our goal is to improve AD detection and care.
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.
In Vivo Assessment Of The Role Of Aggregated Tau In Preclinical And Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,269.00
Summary
Subtle changes in the brain precede an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis by 20-30 years. These changes provide an incredible opportunity to diagnose and treat AD; however, our understanding of them, remains limited. We aim to use new imaging technologies to investigate these subtle changes in the preclinical AD brain. This will give us a greater understanding of how these early changes effect AD progression and whether we can use this information to improve the diagnosis and treatment of AD.
Cognitive Decline In Type 2 Diabetes: Investigating The Contribution Of Neurodegeneration And Cerebrovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$608,520.00
Summary
Dementia occurs more commonly than expected in diabetes but the reasons are unknown. There could be a build up of deposits of the toxic protein in the brain that causes Alzheimer's disease. A new technique, using Positron Emmission Tomography (PET scans), will be used to answer this question in combination with MRI scans and serial cognitive testing in patients considered to be at-risk for dementia. The study will help direct research efforts aimed at dementia prevention and treatment.
The Role Of Gonadotropins In Regulating The Production Of Alzheimer's Beta Amyloid
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,278.00
Summary
Currently, about 160,000 Australians suffer from dementia; of which 50-70% are Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases. AD is characterised clinically by memory and personality changes and pathologically by deposition of amyloid. Of particular importance in the disease pathogenesis, is a small molecule called beta amyloid, of which the overproduction is thought to be central to the development of AD. Changes in the levels of the reproductive hormones, particularly low levels of oestrogen during menopause ....Currently, about 160,000 Australians suffer from dementia; of which 50-70% are Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases. AD is characterised clinically by memory and personality changes and pathologically by deposition of amyloid. Of particular importance in the disease pathogenesis, is a small molecule called beta amyloid, of which the overproduction is thought to be central to the development of AD. Changes in the levels of the reproductive hormones, particularly low levels of oestrogen during menopause or testosterone during andropuase, has been associated with the increased risk of developing AD and in altering the levels of beta amyloid. Furthermore, menopause and andropause are also characterised by changes in other reproductive hormones such as the gonadotropins. High levels of the gonadotropins have also been associated with the increased risk of developing AD. Therefore it is important to identify how these changes modify the risk of developing AD. This study examines the role of the gonadotropins in regulating beta amyloid levels in cell culture and in an animal model for AD. Furthermore, this study will assess, in the animal model, the use of gonadotropin lowering agents to reduce levels of beta amyloid. The results from this study will provide important data on how reproductive hormones regulate beta amyloid. Further insight into these mechanisms will provide therapeutic or preventative strategies for AD.Read moreRead less
The research outlined in this application seeks to examine the role of calcium in the pathogenesis of AD. It will examine the hypothesis that the build-up of a protein known as the Abeta causes an increase in levels of calcium in nerve cells of the brain. This increase in calcium may trigger nerve cell damage and dementia. The ultimate aim of the research is to identify new targets for drug development in Alzheimer's disease.
Delineating The Interaction Between The Amyloid Precursor Protein Family And SorLA-LR11
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$749,022.00
Summary
The Alzheimer's disease Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) is central to the cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It's metabolised into the neurotoxic amyloid beta (Abeta) peptide that is deposited in AD brains. The sorLA protein is a neuronal protein that interacts with APP and alters its metabolism into Abeta. This grant will study the interaction between APP and sorLA and define the APP binding site for sorLA which represents a potential drug target.
A Role Of Sortilin In The Development Of Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is caused by both environmental and genetic variations. With aging, a toxic peptide accumulates in the brain and causes loss of memory and cell death. This study aims to elucidate how the toxic peptide is generated and how its precursor trafficks within nerve cells.