Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Recovery From General Anaesthesia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$335,983.00
Summary
Even though general anaesthesia is an extremely common and safe procedure, doctors do not really know how it works. We have found that general anaesthetics might work in two steps, by first promoting natural sleep, and then by impairing communication between all nerve cells in the brain. It is this second step that makes surgery possible, but also makes recovery difficult – especially among patients with brain disorders. Understanding these mechanisms will promote better anaesthesia procedures.
How The Dosage Of A Down Syndrome Candidate Gene Affects Neural Circuitry And Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,961.00
Summary
In Down syndrome, an extra copy of chromosome 21 increases gene expression and leads to brain defects. We hypothesise that one candidate gene, Dscam2, changes its function with increased expression. This causes brain cells that normally stick to each other to repel each other, leading to inappropriate connections in the brain. We will test this model in the fruit fly and demonstrate for the first time a mechanism dependent on gene expression that can lead to brain abnormalities in Down syndrome.
Discovering Deep Sleep Genes And Determining Their Roles For Preserving Cognitive Functions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$484,901.00
Summary
Our mental well-being is largely tied to our sleep quality, and most cognitive disorders are also associated with poor sleep processes. Yet, we still do not know how sleep quality safeguards cognitive function. We will uncover genes that play a restorative role during deep sleep, and determine how genetic control of these deep sleep genes modulates selective attention in an animal model. Our results will suggest novel therapies for treating sleep disorders and associated diseases of the brain.