The Cellular Basis Of Synaptic Integration And Modulation In Human Pyramidal Neurons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$917,355.00
Summary
Little is known about how human neurons integrate information, and how this process is altered during neuromodulation and disease. This project will address this fundamental gap in knowledge and will for the first time directly examine the neuromodulation of human neurons, and how this important process is altered in brain cancer. Our team of researchers and surgeons in Melbourne and Berlin will be able to provide valuable, and otherwise unattainable, information about the human brain.
Impact Of Somatic Versus Dendritic Inhibition On Neuronal Output
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,047,686.00
Summary
The brain is made up of literally billions of neurons connected in complex networks. These neurons come in two primary flavors - excitatory and inhibitory - which work in balance. Too much excitation and the brain becomes epileptic, too much inhibitory and we go into a coma. This proposal focuses on the role of specific inhibitory cell types in regulating brain function, and has relevant to a range of neurological disorders from epilepsy, to schizophrenia to depression.
A DENDRITIC SUBSTRATE FOR THE CHOLINERGIC CONTROL OF NEOCORTICAL OUTPUT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$898,340.00
Summary
The forebrain cholinergic system controls neocortical activity and cognitive function. This project will investigate the mechanisms by which the cholinergic system controls neocortical circuit activity in rodent models using advanced optical and electrical recording methods. The results will provide a foundation for the understanding of how dysfunction of the cholinergic system results in cognitive decline in humans, and identify new targets for improved treatment of human cognitive impairment.
Role Of Dendritic Information Processing In Visual Circuit Computations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$895,244.00
Summary
Vision is the primary sensory modality in man, and its disturbance carries an enormous socio-economic burden. The dynamic operations of the neuronal assemblies that underlie vision are poorly understood, partly because of an incomplete description of the computational properties of visual neuronal circuits. The aims of the application are to mechanistically dissect defined computational operations of visual neural circuits using advanced electrophysiological and optical recording techniques.
The Modulation Of Neuronal Activity By Inter-cortical Sensory Input
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,771.00
Summary
For any given behaviour, the brain must merge information from all different sensory systems to generate a coherent representation of the external world. How this is achieved is largely unknown and is the basis of this research proposal. Here, using cutting edge recording techniques, the activity of brain cells within the cortex will be measured during the activation of multiple sensory systems. This research will provide insight into therapeutic approaches to local brain damage.
THE ROLE OF UBIQUITIN LIGASE ADAPTOR PROTEIN NDFIP1 IN NEURONAL DEVELOPMENT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,813.00
Summary
Many brain diseases are characterized by faulty connections between nerve cells (neurons), in some cases caused by the inability to remove unwanted proteins from the neuron. This function is carried out by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). We have evidence that a UPS protein called Ndfip1 is important for forming functional brain circuits. We aim to discover whether neuron growth, branching and connectivity is promoted by Ndfip1 targeting of PTEN (phosphatase with tensin homology) to the UP ....Many brain diseases are characterized by faulty connections between nerve cells (neurons), in some cases caused by the inability to remove unwanted proteins from the neuron. This function is carried out by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). We have evidence that a UPS protein called Ndfip1 is important for forming functional brain circuits. We aim to discover whether neuron growth, branching and connectivity is promoted by Ndfip1 targeting of PTEN (phosphatase with tensin homology) to the UPS.Read moreRead less
Dendritic Activity And Neuronal Output During Sensory Perception
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$832,748.00
Summary
A fundamental goal of neuroscience is to understand how sensory experiences arise from activity in the brain. This is no easy feat and is the basis of the research in this proposal. Here, using cutting edge recording techniques, the activity of brain cells within the cortex will be measured during sensory-based behavioural tasks. This research will provide insight into therapeutic approaches to numerous brain diseases where sensory processing is compromised.
The Function And Modulation Of Dendritic Activity Underlying Neural Circuits And Behavior
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,641.00
Summary
Understanding how brain cells translate sensory input into behaviour is central to explaining how the brain works. My research focuses on the long-standing question of how information from different brain regions is received and processed within individual brain cells. This research is crucial to understanding brain function and can provide a greater understanding of the neuronal processes underlying diseases such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, depression and alcoholism.