Characterising A Newly Identified Mechanism Causing Elevation Of Intracranial Pressure After Acute Neurological Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,905.00
Summary
Our group discovered that increased pressure on the brain (intracranial pressure – ICP) may be more common and important than has been recognised following stroke, and potentially other brain disorders. We also identified a simple potential therapy, short-duration body cooling, which completely prevents the pressure rise. In this project we will characterise the ICP rise, identify its molecular trigger and determine the best method of body cooling tor use in clinical trials in stroke patients.
Understanding The Mechanisms Of Development And Treatment In Hydrocephalus.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,914.00
Summary
This project aims to investigate the progressive change in cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, axonal damage and tissue mechanical properties during the development and treatment of hydrocephalus in-vivo. Results from this study is important to elucidate the mechanisms of hydrocephalus and to improve treatment and diagnosis of hydrocephalus.
CSF Physiology: Flow In The Spinal Cord And Subarachnoid Space
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,775.00
Summary
Fluid flow in the brain and spinal cord is important in health and disease. Increased fluid leads to hydrocephalus and spinal cord cysts. Impaired flow through the brain and cord contributes to Alzheimer's disease and other disorders. How fluid flows through the brain and spinal cord is poorly understood. We will study important aspects of flow in the spinal cord and how flow is affected by obstructions in the fluid pathways.
Using Biomechanics To Prevent Injury And Treat Soft Tissue Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,501.00
Summary
In this fellowship, I will use biomechanical testing and analysis methods together with novel imaging methods to design and implement interventions to prevent injuries to children, and to improve treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea and complex disorders of the cerebrospinal fluid system.
Extracellular Matrix, Cell-surface Receptors And Alzheimer's Disease: A Novel Glycoform Of Acetylcholinesterase
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$265,074.00
Summary
Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, affecting approximately 5-10% of the population over the age of 65. With an increasingly ageing population, Alzheimer's disease will be a major health problem in the next century unless effective treatments (probably in combination with early diagnosis) are found. We have identified a novel form of a protein acetylcholinesterase (AChE-AD), which is present in high levels in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Our w ....Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, affecting approximately 5-10% of the population over the age of 65. With an increasingly ageing population, Alzheimer's disease will be a major health problem in the next century unless effective treatments (probably in combination with early diagnosis) are found. We have identified a novel form of a protein acetylcholinesterase (AChE-AD), which is present in high levels in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Our work has shown that the accumulation of another protein in the brains of Alzheimer patients, known as the amyloid protein, is the cause of the increase in AChE-AD. This finding is important for two reasons: 1) Identification of the mechanism by which the amyloid protein causes an increase in AChE-AD will tell us about some of the basic causes of Alzheimer's disease. 2) AChE-AD may be a useful diagnostic marker of Alzheimer's disease. At present, diagnosis is performed by clinical examination. This is a time consuming and inaccurate process. A biochemical diagnostic marker will provide an objective criterion with which to diagnose Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, our research is aimed at: Aim 1: Evaluating AChE-AD as a diagnostic marker. Aim 2: Developing tools with which we can more easily measure AChE-AD. Aim 3: Understanding the basic biochemical mechanisms which cause the increase in AChE-AD in the brains of patients. Aim 4: Examining whether AChE-AD may contribute to the cause of Alzheimer's disease.Read moreRead less
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.
Investigations Of Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow In Extracanalicular Syringomyelia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,441.00
Summary
Cysts in the spinal cord (syringomyelia) develop in children and young adults with congenital spinal cord abnormalities such as spina bifida, and in people of all ages after spinal cord injury or meningitis. Syringomyelia causes pain and paralysis that usually does not improve even with treatment. The current lack of knowledge about the mechanism of spinal cord cyst formation and enlargement is preventing the development of effective therapy. We have previously shown that some types of spinal co ....Cysts in the spinal cord (syringomyelia) develop in children and young adults with congenital spinal cord abnormalities such as spina bifida, and in people of all ages after spinal cord injury or meningitis. Syringomyelia causes pain and paralysis that usually does not improve even with treatment. The current lack of knowledge about the mechanism of spinal cord cyst formation and enlargement is preventing the development of effective therapy. We have previously shown that some types of spinal cord cysts enlarge by the normal fluid surrounding the spinal cord being pumped around small arteries into the centre of the spinal cord. The mechanism of enlargement of post-traumatic spinal cord cysts remains unknown, and this debilitating type of syringomyelia remains difficult to treat. Our hypothesis is that post-traumatic spinal cord cysts also enlarge by fluid being pumped into them around small arteries. A further hypothesis is that reductions of arterial pulsations and of the pressure in the fluid surrounding the spinal cord will prevent or inhibit cyst enlargement. These hypotheses will be tested by examining fluid flow in models of post-traumatic syringomyelia in rats and sheep. We have established a model of post-traumatic syringomyelia in rats and the first phase of the project will be to refine and characterize this model and to reproduce it in sheep. The second phase will be to determine whether these cysts enlarge by a flow of fluid around small arteries that is driven by arterial pulsations, as they do in other types of syringomyelia. The final phase will be to determine whether reducing the pressure in the fluid around the spinal cord prevents cyst enlargement. Confirmation that these techniques prevent cyst enlargement would open up new possibilities for the treatment of human syringomyelia.Read moreRead less
Short Duration Hypothermia To Prevent Subsequent Intracranial Pressure Rise.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$436,453.00
Summary
Elevated brain pressure after stroke or other forms of brain injury can cause further injury and death. Body cooling to 32-33 C (hypothermia) for 12-24 hours saves lives after some forms of brain injury, but may have major side effects. We found that 2 hours hypothermia has a long-lasting effect preventing pressure elevation. We will determine the best temperature and duration of hypothermia in a stroke model and use imaging to confirm findings in patients, with a view to later human trials.