The Neurochemical Basis Of Behavioural Control: Relevance For Addiction, OCD And Tourette Syndrome.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,225.00
Summary
Both the control of voluntry responses over reflexive habits, and the ability to direct voluntary responses appropriately when there are conflicting choices present in the world, are thought to be important in mental disorders such as drug addiction, tic disorders such as Tourette syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder. This project will examine the brain neurochemistry that underpins our ability to control voluntary responses, providing insight into potential pharmacological interventions.
Methamphetamine-induced Habits And The Re-establishment Of Behavioural Control.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$577,079.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to understand the neural bases of drug addiction, specifically methamphetamine addiction, particularly the changes in neural processes that render drug seeking compulsive. We aim to establish the physical and chemical changes in the brain that cause the changes in decision making induced by exposure to drugs of abuse, most notably the changes that result in a loss of behavioural control.
The Australasian Resuscitation In Sepsis Evaluation - Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,424,807.00
Summary
Patients with severe infections often present to Emergency Departments and early treatment with particular fluids, blood transfusions and stimulants, may improve survival rates. To determine whether early treatment is safe and effective in reducing deaths, the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Clinical Trials Group, in conjunction with the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine, plan to perform a large trial of early goal directed therapy in patients with severe infections.
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE-FUNCTION RELATIONSHIPS OF THE NORADRENALINE TRANSPORTER & DRUG ACTION
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$188,912.00
Summary
The transmission of impulses by nerves is dependent on the release of chemicals, termed neurotransmitters, from the nerve. The neurotransmitter causes its effects and then its action is usually terminated by membrane proteins that transport the chemical back into the nerve. These proteins are termed 'transporters'. In the brain, psychostimulants such as cocaine and also drugs that are used in the therapy of conditions such as depression block the activity of the transporters for the neurotransmi ....The transmission of impulses by nerves is dependent on the release of chemicals, termed neurotransmitters, from the nerve. The neurotransmitter causes its effects and then its action is usually terminated by membrane proteins that transport the chemical back into the nerve. These proteins are termed 'transporters'. In the brain, psychostimulants such as cocaine and also drugs that are used in the therapy of conditions such as depression block the activity of the transporters for the neurotransmitters, noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine. Recently, the structures of the transporter proteins have been determined using molecular biology techniques. The focus of this project is to determine the parts of the noradrenaline transporter protein structure that are important in determining its functions, utilising the knowledge that we now have about its molecular structure. This will lead to exciting advances in understanding the function of the noradrenaline transporter and these advances should ultimately lead to the development of more effective antidepressant drugs and of drugs to prevent the effects of psychostimulants such as cocaine.Read moreRead less
Control of transcription by the cardiac homeodomain protein Nkx2-5. The transcriptional regulatory protein Nkx2-5, a member of the homeodomain superfamily, is essential for heart development and mutations in the human gene cause congenital heart disease. We seek to define the molecular mechanisms that regulate the transcriptional activity of Nkx2-5. We have previously identified a transcriptional activation domain in the C-terminal region that is bipartite in nature and conserved among Nkx2-5 ....Control of transcription by the cardiac homeodomain protein Nkx2-5. The transcriptional regulatory protein Nkx2-5, a member of the homeodomain superfamily, is essential for heart development and mutations in the human gene cause congenital heart disease. We seek to define the molecular mechanisms that regulate the transcriptional activity of Nkx2-5. We have previously identified a transcriptional activation domain in the C-terminal region that is bipartite in nature and conserved among Nkx2-5 proteins from diverse species. We will characterise the consequences of mutations in this domain in mouse models and search for interacting proteins. Results will advance our understanding of gene regulation in the context of heart disease.Read moreRead less