Novel Strategies To Promote Myelin Repair In The Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,865.00
Summary
Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system such as multiple sclerosis have a lifelong impact and devastating impact on quality of life. We have identified that a growth factor, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), plays an important role in promoting myelination during development. We will investigate the potential of translating these findings into effective clinical treatment, by characterising the efficacy of BDNF in promoting CNS remyelination after a demyelinating insult.
A Multi-cohort Investigation Of The Effects Of BDNF Val66Met On Tau, Neurodegeneration And Cognition In Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,758.00
Summary
There are currently no disease modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. We will elucidate the role of a genetic polymorphism that has previously been shown to exert neuroprotective effects on memory decline and brain volume loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease. By studying the role of this gene in multiple cohorts of individuals with varying degrees of Alzheimer’s disease risk, this study has high potential to uncover novel disease-modifying strategies for the treatment of the disease.
Nerve growth factors are essential to promote nerve regeneration and are potential drugs for the treatment of nervous disorders such as spinal cord injury. Our recent result demonstrates that the precursor form of the nerve growth factor brain derived neurotrophic factor (proBDNF) is detrimental to an injured nervous system and can cause nerve degeneration. This project further investigates the phenomenon in order to promote treatment of spinal cord injury.
The Role Of BDNF In Central Nervous System Myelination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$478,235.00
Summary
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological cause of disability in young adult Australians. The cause of MS is unknown and therapies are limited to reducing inflammation, which does not address the major problem of the disease: loss of myelin. This project directly investigates how myelin is formed and will identify key mechanisms in this process, which may eventually be developed into treatments for diseases such as MS.
BDNF Genotype And Emotional Memory In Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,902.00
Summary
This project addresses the question of why some people develop PTSD following trauma and others don’t. It will assess the influence of genetics (specifically a genotype that influences Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor) on emotional memory processes as distressing emotional memories are a core symptom of PTSD. If we find that people with a particular genetic profile have a greater risk of developing intrusive memories after trauma, this will help us better target treatment for those individuals.
Release And Action Of Anterogradely Transported BDNF From Sensory Nerve Terminals In The Spinal Cord
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$204,674.00
Summary
Neurotrophic factors are powerful agents found in very low amounts throughout the nervous system. Their role is to keep nerves alive, to assist in connecting nerves together and to help maintain the health of nerves. Usually this is achieved by each factor being bound at the end of the long nerve processes and transported back to the nucleus to regulate the metabolism of the nerve. We have discovered one factor, the protein Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor or BDNF, in one nerve type which is tr ....Neurotrophic factors are powerful agents found in very low amounts throughout the nervous system. Their role is to keep nerves alive, to assist in connecting nerves together and to help maintain the health of nerves. Usually this is achieved by each factor being bound at the end of the long nerve processes and transported back to the nucleus to regulate the metabolism of the nerve. We have discovered one factor, the protein Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor or BDNF, in one nerve type which is transported in the opposite direction. The project outlined plans to demonstrate the function of this unique transport by showing how BDNF can be released from nerves to act on neighboring cells.Read moreRead less
Roles Of Peripherally Derived BDNF In Regeneration Of Spinal Cord And The Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$472,770.00
Summary
Injury to the brain and spinal cord often leads to permanent disability due to lack of regeneration. The mechanism why central nerve does not regenerate is not known. Neurotrophic factors are powerful molecules which can overcome effects of inhibitory factors on regeneration. This project aims to investigate how neurotrophic factors override the effects of inhibitory factors and how to improve the regeneration by increasing the production of neurotrophic factors within nerves. Successful complet ....Injury to the brain and spinal cord often leads to permanent disability due to lack of regeneration. The mechanism why central nerve does not regenerate is not known. Neurotrophic factors are powerful molecules which can overcome effects of inhibitory factors on regeneration. This project aims to investigate how neurotrophic factors override the effects of inhibitory factors and how to improve the regeneration by increasing the production of neurotrophic factors within nerves. Successful completion of this project will help understanding the mechanism of how neurotrophic factors work on regeneration and developing the effective way to improve regeneration of the injured spinal cord.Read moreRead less
Role Of Huntingtin Associate Protein 1 In The Axonal Transport Of BDNF
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$519,715.00
Summary
BDNF, a nerve grwoth factor, plays a role in the development of the brain. BDNF is important for learning and memory. BDNF is involved in many human diseases such as Huntington's disease, mood disorders, cancer and obesity. BDNF is the protein that require its trafficking in nerves for normal functions. However, how BDNF is transported in nerve cells is not known. This project examines the mechanisms underlyying its transport in nerves.
Viral-mediated Modulation Of BDNF Expression In Motor Neurons To Promote The Recovery Of Hand/digits Function In A Rat Model Of Spinal Cord Injury That Impairs Normal Grasping Action.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$341,427.00
Summary
This project seeks to lure injured axons towards motor neurons, a process that is essential for the recovery of motor function. BDNF gradients will be created along the injured axons path. Axons will have to elongate to reach the first source of BDNF. They will need to elongate even more to get to the next source of BDNF, hence bringing them each time closer to their lost targets. This gene therapy scenario has the potential to bring gene therapy a step closer for human spinal cord injury.