Establishing A Model Of Occlusive Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke In The Sheep
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$74,365.00
Summary
Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the highest cause of disability in adult Australians, however our lack of an animal model that correctly replicates the human condition has severely hindered our understanding and treatment of the disease. This research project aims to develop a model of stroke in the sheep using a surgical approach that future researchers may use and adapt to further explore the physiology of the disease and trial therapeutic techniques to treat stroke.
Improving Clinical Translation In Stroke: Targeting Cerebral Oedema In A Large Animal Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$637,530.00
Summary
A common and life-threatening complication of stroke is brain swelling which is the leading cause of death within one week of stroke and a predictor of poor outcome. Current treatments for brain swelling are inadequate. We have developed a drug that blocks the action of the neuropeptide substance P, which is involved in the development of swelling. We will assess the efficacy of this treatment to reduce brain swelling and improve long-term outcome in a relevant pre-clinical model of stroke.
Pericyte Dysfunction Limiting Energy Supply In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$717,708.00
Summary
One possible cause of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) could be narrowing of small blood vessels (capillaries) within the brain, limiting blood flow and energy supply. Pericytes, a cell only on capillaries, maintain blood flow throughout the brain. I believe that pericytes may die in AD leading to an energy deficit and memory problems. I will test using human brains and animal models whether pericyte loss causes AD and how this is happening. Pericytes could provide a new therapy option for AD.
Targeted Delivery Of CD39 To Ischaemic Brain Improves Outcomes In Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$895,780.00
Summary
Stroke is most likely caused by a clot in one of the large blood vessels supplying the brain. The approach is to save the 'at-risk' area of brain with drugs that break-down clots and by manual removal of clots. These treatments are limited by timely access within 4.5 hours to larger hospitals. We are trialing a new drug that protects the brain better on its own and may add to the benefit of current treatments. Moreover, it can be given in any rural setting.
Spinal cord cysts can develop after spinal injury or in association with tumours or congenital abnormalities of the spine. These cysts often cause pain and paralysis. Treatment is often ineffective, partly because the source of the cyst fluid is unknown. We are investigating the origin of this fluid using animal models of spinal cord cysts, computer simulations, and MRI studies of patients with spinal cord cysts. Understanding the origin of cyst fluid will help us to develop improved treatment.
Which Neurons Maintain Sympathetic Vasomotor Tone?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,918.00
Summary
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, a major burden of disease worldwide. High levels of nerve activity that cause the blood vessels to constrict elevating blood pressure are characteristic of hypertension. We do not know which brain cells set and maintain this nerve activity. We will identify these cells, determine how they function and what regulates them. Ultimately we could control these cells treating the cause of hypertension or when clinical need arises.
Neuroscience On Barriers In Development (NEUROBID)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,927.00
Summary
The program aims to understand normal and disturbed brain barrier function in development to devise ways of preventing or ameliorating neurological conditions in infants or adult neurological disorders with developmental origins. Unique features of transport mechanisms across brain barriers will be used to design novel methods of targeting therapeutic macromolecular and cellular agents to the brain barriers and transporting them into brain for treatment of neurological diseases in young and old.
Exploring Scanning Ultrasound (SUS), A Novel Method To Treat And Prevent Neurodegenerative Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$765,708.00
Summary
We developed a novel scanning ultrasound (SUS) protocol that clears toxic protein aggregates and restores memory function in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD), without the need for therapeutic agents. Here we aim to determine whether SUS has preventative potential, whether there are synergistic effects, and whether a therapeutic antibody combined with SUS leads to an enhanced therapeutic outcome. Together this will guide the development of an ultrasound therapy in AD patients.
This Australian-led, investigator initiated and conducted study, is the first and only large scale clinical trial designed to assess the balance of potential benefits and risks of early rapid blood pressure lowering in intracerebral haemorrhage stroke, a disease in which there is still no convincing evidence of benefit from any medical treatment, where the role of surgery remains controversial, and from which the chances of surviving has failed to improve in recent decades.