We have previously made the most widely used animal brain atlas in the world. This atlas based on stained histological sections of the rat brain. In recent years, advances in MRI have made it possible to generate images of the rat brain at very high resolution. We have obtained a very high quality MRI image set from colleagues in Duke University in the USA, and we have begun to map these images in great detail, using our histological atlas as a guide.
Caress The Detail: A Comprehensive MRI Atlas Of The In Vivo Human Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,978.00
Summary
This project will construct a detailed MRI atlas of the living human brain. The atlas will be online and compatible with tablet computers to provide a convenient, powerful reference tool for researchers and clinicians. It is a collaboration between George Paxinos, a leader in brain cartography, and Mark Schira, an emerging scientist in MRI technology. They will use high resolution in vivo MR images obtained at the University of Queensland Centre for Advanced Imaging.
3D Histological And MRI Atlases Of Brain And Spinal Cord For Research And Clinical Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$876,005.00
Summary
This project uses imaging techniques to produce the next generation of maps of the central nervous system. It will advance our understanding of the organisation and structure of the brain and spinal cord of humans and experimental animals, paving the way for the development of psychotherapeutic drugs and more accurate interventions on the human brain. The new maps will help those who study the brain of patients with diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or animal models of these diseases.
Activity In Central Cough Networks In Patients With Cough Hypersensitivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,499.00
Summary
Excessive cough associated with an airways disease represents the most common reason for doctor consultations. However, the current therapeutic options for relieving excessive cough are limited. This proposal will provide unprecedented insights into the brain mechanisms that contribute to the development of cough disorders in airways disease.
Organization And Function Of Primate Auditory Cortex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$271,671.00
Summary
The conscious perception of speech and other sounds depends on processing within a brain region known as the auditory cortex. Compared to other brain areas, relatively little is known about the organization and function of this structure. Recent studies have proposed that the auditory cortex may be anatomically subdivided into functional modules, each of which is specialized for processing different types of information. However, the evidence for multiple processing streams is fragmentary, and n ....The conscious perception of speech and other sounds depends on processing within a brain region known as the auditory cortex. Compared to other brain areas, relatively little is known about the organization and function of this structure. Recent studies have proposed that the auditory cortex may be anatomically subdivided into functional modules, each of which is specialized for processing different types of information. However, the evidence for multiple processing streams is fragmentary, and not entirely consistent. The proposed experiments will combine anatomical and physiological approaches to evaluate the functional organization of auditory cortex in the primate brain. We will map the electrical responses of single brain cells to various complex sounds across the brain surface, and inject dyes to label pathways linking brain areas to one another. The data will allow us to determine whether specific subdivisions of the auditory cortex are specialized for processing different types of infomation, and whether specific subdivisions are linked together to form processing streams specialized for sound recognition and space perception. The results will advance our understanding of the neuronal processing involved in the perception of sound, with possible implications for speech perception. This will help to understand the consequences of brain damage, and may inform the development of hearing aids and artificial voice recognition systems. In addition, this study will help to develop a primate model for studying brain mechanisms of sound recognition that should be useful in research on cochlear implants.Read moreRead less
Molecular Control Of Interneuron Development And Function In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,828.00
Summary
This project will study the changes that occur in neurons, during normal brain maturation and in pathology. We hypothesise that early signs of brain malfunction can be detected in neurons before symptoms appear. The role of a gene will be studied during development and disease in a mouse model of autism, in order to identify the molecular and electrical signs of abnormal activity. This research will ultimately enable us to propose new strategies to treat symptoms of brain disease.
Defining The Role Of Inflammation In Depression During Aging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$736,820.00
Summary
This proposed research investigates the bidirectional relationship between inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) and depression during normal aging processes. It is assumed that inflammatory processes in the CNS will induce the development of depression and vice versa, that depression will lead to increased inflammation in the body. In addition, the research will study the genetic background and gene expression of inflammation contributing to both aging processes and the onset of depr ....This proposed research investigates the bidirectional relationship between inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) and depression during normal aging processes. It is assumed that inflammatory processes in the CNS will induce the development of depression and vice versa, that depression will lead to increased inflammation in the body. In addition, the research will study the genetic background and gene expression of inflammation contributing to both aging processes and the onset of depression during aging.Read moreRead less
Imaging Atlases Of The Brain Of Humans And Experimental Animals
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$808,375.00
Summary
This project uses imaging techniques and molecular genetics to produce the next generation of brain maps. It will advance our understanding of the organisation and structure of the brain and spinal cord of humans and experimental animals – paving the way for the development of psychotherapeutic drugs and more accurate interventions on the human brain. The new maps will help those who study the brain of patients with diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s or animal models of these diseases.
Investigation Of Neuregulin Precessing By Beta-site APP Cleaving Enzyme And Gamma Secretase In Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$46,715.00
Summary
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex psychiatric disorder that appears in male and female around adulthood. To date there is no clear pathological symptoms to identify SCZ individuals and place them in a specific group. Some proteins are genetically associated with this disease. I will investigate how some of these proteins disturb the function of the brain in human. My recent published data shows decrease of one of the proteins in the brain of SCZ group. My project may help develop novel and more s ....Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex psychiatric disorder that appears in male and female around adulthood. To date there is no clear pathological symptoms to identify SCZ individuals and place them in a specific group. Some proteins are genetically associated with this disease. I will investigate how some of these proteins disturb the function of the brain in human. My recent published data shows decrease of one of the proteins in the brain of SCZ group. My project may help develop novel and more selective therapies with less side-effects.Read moreRead less
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.