The Role Of SPARC In Regeneration And Neurogenesis In The Central Nervous System.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$324,870.00
Summary
Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the elderly. Although the brain has built-in mechanisms for repairing itself, these processes are slow and incomplete. We are investigating how these natural repair mechanisms work and how to stimulate them to improve recovery. Our initial results suggest that a protein called SPARC, which is involved in wound healing outside the nervous system, may be able to recruit new nerve cells and blood vessels to damaged brain tissue.
Simulating And Stimulating The Blood-Brain-Barrier: A Platform For Investigating Non-pharmaceutical Alzheimer's Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$680,758.00
Summary
Alzheimer's disease is a looming public health threat worldwide. Despite the widespread acknowledgement of this issue, there are a lack of effective drugs that can slow disease progression. This project aims to investigate a new class of non-pharmaceutical treatment methods based on controlled acoustic, electrical and optical stimulation methods to treat and reverse the base causes of Alzheimer's disease.
The Interactive Effects Of Dietary Saturated Fat And Apolipoprotein-E Genotype On Peripheral Metabolism Of Lipoprotein-amyloid And Neurovascular Integrity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$637,536.00
Summary
This project is based on a remarkable discovery which suggests that in some individuals, Alzheimer's disease may be a consequence of corruption of microscopic blood vessels that supply brain, damaged as a consequence of exaggerated exposure in blood to a protein produced principally in liver. The project will explore this pathway further in subjects at heightened risk of Alzheimer's disease and in humanised animal models. The findings may provide new opportunities for prevention and treatment.
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.
Restoration Of Cognitive Deficits Induced By Diabetes Through The Modulation Of Cerebrovascular Integrity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$261,251.00
Summary
Diabetes is a known risk factor for the development of dementia. However the details of this association have not been known. Recent evidence consistently shows that the integrity of blood vessels in the brain may be central to the onset of dementia, and consistently, damaged brain blood vessels are often reported in diabetic patients and animal models. This project is the first to target in restoring the integrity of those brain blood vessels in order to reverse diabetes-associated dementia.
New Insights Into Diabetes, Cerebrovascular Integrity And Dementia Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
Studies report that subjects with diabetic insulin resistance are at higher risk of developing dementia. Recent data suggest that disturbances in specialized blood vessels of the brain are responsible for the association between diabetes and dementia. This project will utilize state-of-art methodologies to visually explore if drugs commonly used to treat diabetes, provide cerebrovascular benefits.
Restoration Of Diabetes Associated Cognitive Deficits Through The Modulation Of Cerebrovascular Integrity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,998.00
Summary
Diabetes is known to increase the risk of dementia. Although the mechanisms are currently unknown, a recently emerging body of evidence suggest that damaged blood vessels of the brain may be central to onset and progress of cognitive dysfunction. Consistently, the dysfunction of brain blood vessels is often observed in the brain of diabetes subjects. Therefore, this project will investigate whether the amelioration of disrupted brain blood vessels restores the cognitive function in diabetes.