The Role Of Metals In Healthy Brain Aging: Identification Of Novel Compounds To Prevent Age-related Cognitive Decline
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$789,733.00
Summary
This grant will explore the basic mechanisms that underlie normal learning and memory. Specifically, we are focussing on how the modulation of metal levels may occur with age, and how this may cause or at least contribute to age-related cognitive impairment. We are also examining a novel therapeutic compound for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction. This work will have implications for both normal and pathological ageing.
Targeting Central Inflammation To Combat Obesity And Obesity-related Cognitive Dysfunction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
The current obesity epidemic means many of us will suffer from overweight or obesity for at least some of our lives. My findings show obesity can cause inflammation throughout the brain including in regions related to learning and memory. Here I hypothesize that obesity induces long-term changes in the brain’s immune cells, that this can explain why we see susceptibility to cognitive decline in obese individuals, and that we can reverse these negative effects by targeting these immune cells.
Long-term Physical Exercise Improves Cognitive Performance Through Neuroimmune Modulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,586.00
Summary
This research investigates for how long exercise needs to carried out in order to be beneficial for cognitive function. We choose an animal model which simulates chronic brain inflammation as seen during aging processes of humans and during many inflammatory diseases affecting brain function. This research will unravel the long-term immunomodulatory and protective effects of exercise on brain function as well as the short-term anti-inflammatory effects on brain function.
An Investigation Of The Potential Association Between Sports Concussion And Neurodegenerative Disease In Collision Sports Athletes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is increasingly recognised as a risk factor for dementia. Sports concussion is the mildest form of TBI, but occurs frequently in contact sports, with some players sustaining multiple concussions during their career. Despite the increased attention on this topic, it is not known whether repeated concussions during an athlete’s career lead to a greater vulnerability or a greater risk for dementia later in life. This research program aims to investigate these concerns.
Defining The Function Of Two Discrete Precursor Cell Populations In The Adult Hippocampus: Potential For The Treatment Of Cognitive And Mood Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,985.00
Summary
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis plays a crucial role in fundamental cognitive processes such as learning and memory formation and mood regulation. Our laboratory has identified two discrete pools of quiescent stem and precursor cells in the adult hippocampus that can be activated by distinct mechanisms. This study will examine the functional properties of new neurons generated from these discrete pools and their role in improving behavioural outcomes associated with cognition and mood regulation
Cognitive Inflexibility And The Development Of Pathological Habits In Brain Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$883,946.00
Summary
Pathological habits are observed in severe mental health conditions including dementia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, depression and addiction. This application aims to provide the mechanistic detail required for therapeutic targeting to restore flexible decision making in these conditions.
Problems in learning, memory and other complex mental processes are common to many brain disorders. This project will study the impact of mutations on a family of genes reported in autism and schizophrenia, on complex cognitive behaviours using novel behavioural technologies. This will not only shed fundamental insights into the specific mental processes regulated by these genes and their role in disease, but importantly provide novel targets for the development of therapies.
Dysfunctions In Decision-making And The Cognitive Control Of Action
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$647,341.00
Summary
The aim of this research project is to establish the neural bases of dysfunctions in decision-making associated with deficits in the cognitive control of action. Decision-making is a complex capacity dependent on the interaction between neural systems that mediate cognition and the selection of specific actions. To this end we will examine the intracellular, cellular and circuit level processes controlling the influence of predictive information on choice between goal-directed actions.
The aim of this research project is to provide critical new information on the functional changes in brain circuits mediating cognitive-emotional integration during decision-making. This project will use a powerful and unique combination of behavioural, circuit-level, cellular, genetic and imagining tools to assess decision processes in healthy rodent and human subjects, and in animal models of, and humans suffering from, specific psychiatric disorders.
Stroke is a major cause of death and disability in adult across the world. Understanding how exactly brain cells are affected in stroke and how they are injured, and how they response to treatment is important in order to develop new treatment to maximize recovery and minimize brain injury after stroke. This project uses advanced MRI being performed at several time points after a stroke to study how the brain tissues recovers or dies after a stroke.