The Awakening:GABA-A Receptors As Targets For Improving Motor Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$735,498.00
Summary
Zolpidem (Stilnox) is a “sleeping pill” that is reported "awaken" people with severe motor, memory and speech disabilities that result from stroke or other brain injury. We have identified a novel target by which zolpidem can exert these effects. This project will characterise this target and assess drug effects in models of stroke.
Many drugs modulate the function of proteins imbedded in cell membranes. Extensive research has been undertaken to better understand drug interactions with these proteins to improve drug therapies, but there has been relatively little progress in understanding the role of the cell membrane. This project will investigate how the cell membrane influences protein function and then use this information to develop novel drugs for the treatment of neurological disorders.
Delta-containing GABA-A Receptors As Targets For Neuroprotection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$953,825.00
Summary
After stroke, the neurotransmitter, GABA spills onto sites located away from the synapse. This spillover is hypothesised to have a protective role in limiting cell death. However the timeframe for this to occur is too long for observing significant beneficial effects after stroke. Therefore, stimulating this naturally occurring protective mechanism early using pharmaceutical interventions that target a specific type of GABAA receptor is an unexplored strategy to minimize cell death after stroke.
Understanding Uterine Contractility: What Can We Learn From Obesity?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,792.00
Summary
The incidence of failure to progress in labour has increased in recent years, being linked to the rise in obesity. The result is a significant escalation in the rate of delivery by Caesarean Section (CS) which increases the risk of serious complications during subsequent pregnancies. We have identified five dysfunctional systems associated with poor uterine contraction. We now aim to determine the mechanisms underlying these dysfunctional systems, particularly those mechanisms in common.