Delayed Radial Glial Maturation Linked To NFI Deficiency As An Underlying Cause Of Cortical Defects In Humans And Mice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$801,979.00
Summary
The timely generation of neurons and glia is important for brain development and consequently brain function throughout life. Nuclear factor I (NFI) genes are important for regulating the production of neurons and glia, and people with disrupted NFI genes have severe cognitive and motor deficits. Using human genetic data and mouse models, we will analyse how disrupting these genes affects brain development, and changes the overall structure and wiring of the cerebral cortex as well as behaviour.
Targeting Of Callosal Axons To Duplicate Cortical Areas In The Contralateral Hemisphere
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,785.00
Summary
The two sides of the brain communicate via a large fibre tract called the corpus callosum. This proposal investigates how the corpus callosum is formed during embryonic and postnatal development. Specifically, we investigate how the axons that make up the corpus callosum are able to locate their precise target in the contralateral hemisphere so that the brain circuit they form will be functional. We have developed a new mouse model to discover the fundamental mechanisms regulating how the brain ....The two sides of the brain communicate via a large fibre tract called the corpus callosum. This proposal investigates how the corpus callosum is formed during embryonic and postnatal development. Specifically, we investigate how the axons that make up the corpus callosum are able to locate their precise target in the contralateral hemisphere so that the brain circuit they form will be functional. We have developed a new mouse model to discover the fundamental mechanisms regulating how the brain is wired in order to function correctly.Read moreRead less
Guidance Mechanisms Regulating The Development Of Axonal Projections From The Cingulate Cortex.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$484,236.00
Summary
The corpus callosum is the largest fibre tract in the brain and connects neurons in the left and right cerebral hemispheres. A subpopulation of callosal axons arise from neurons in the cingulate cortex and are the first to cross the midline. Defects in activation or wiring of the cingulate cortex are strongly implicated in acute pain, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This proposal investigates how the commissural projections of the cingulate cortex become wired up during development.
Cellular And Molecular Regulation Of Interhemispheric Fusion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$449,489.00
Summary
In the developing brain, the two cerebral hemispheres undergo interhemispheric fusion to allow commissural fibres to cross the midline. Lack of interhemispheric fusion results in agenesis of the corpus callosum and may manifest as an interhemispheric cyst in acallosal patients. This project will investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate interhemispheric fusion, including removal of the leptomeninges, astroglial differentiation and the formation of adherens junctions at the ....In the developing brain, the two cerebral hemispheres undergo interhemispheric fusion to allow commissural fibres to cross the midline. Lack of interhemispheric fusion results in agenesis of the corpus callosum and may manifest as an interhemispheric cyst in acallosal patients. This project will investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate interhemispheric fusion, including removal of the leptomeninges, astroglial differentiation and the formation of adherens junctions at the interhemispheric fissure to mediate fusion.Read moreRead less
Astroglial Remodelling Of The Interhemispheric Midline Is Regulated By Deleted In Colorectal Cancer (DCC) Signalling And Is Required For Corpus Callosum Formation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$669,400.00
Summary
The integration of information between the brain hemispheres occurs via a large bundle of connecting nerve fibres called the corpus callosum. People with a genetic mutation in DCC display mirror movement disorder and some have a severe brain defect where the corpus callosum fails to form, but at present we don’t understand the function of this gene. In this study we will investigate how DCC functions in early brain development to regulate corpus callosum formation and mirror movement disorder.
Molecular And Activity Dependent Mechanisms Regulating The Targeting Of Corpus Callosum Axons In The Contralateral Hemisphere.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,266.00
Summary
The brain is made up of circuits of neurons that process specific information. For example, the somatosensory cortex receives and sends connections to other somatosensory areas, including the contralateral cortex, but how these systems are wired up is not known. We will investigate whether information about the size and position of the cortical areas and activity-matching of the somatosensory information received by each hemisphere are used to guide callosal axons to their targets.
The mammalian cerebral cortex is an area of the brain responsible for all higher order cognitive processes. I investigate how connections from between the two cerebral hemispheres during embryonic and foetal development, thus enabling the brain to coordinate information from the two sides of the body. Malformations of these connections cause mental retardation and sensory and motor deficits. I want to understand how these brain defects occur and how best to treat them.
Mechanisms Guiding Pathfinding And Positioning Of Cortical Interneurons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,606.00
Summary
Brain disorders place an economic and social burden on Australia and the personal costs of these illnesses are immeasurable. Several brain abnormalities are caused from the failure of neurons to position themselves in the correct location when the brain develops. Our study aims to discover how neurons move and what factors influence this process. It provides an understanding of normal brain development, as well as providing insight into what may go wrong in the formation of brain diseases.