The Effects Of The Western Diet On Cognition In Rats
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$689,326.00
Summary
An unhealthy diet can affect how we think. This project will identify mechanisms by which a western diet impairs cognition, and test ways of intervening to reduce the impact of diet on the brain. We will examine changes in inflammation, and markers of nerve growth in a critical brain region, the hippocampus, in response to different periods of diet. We will also test if the diet and our interventions affect the gut biota.
Regulating Microglia To Combat Hippocampal-dependent Cognitive Decline In Ageing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,768.00
Summary
Age-related cognitive decline, a hallmark of dementia, coincides with reduced activity of neural precursor cells and reduced rate of neuron production in the hippocampus – a key brain structure for learning and memory. Importantly, we have demonstrated that exercise can activate neural precursor cells and boost the production of new neurons as well as improve learning and memory. This project will explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind these exercise-induced benefits on cognition.
Defining Reciprocal Neural Circuits That Regulate Appetite And Memory
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$341,935.00
Summary
How we remember meals influences how much we eat at later time points. This kind of memory likely comes from both the traditional brain areas associated with memory formation, and from areas associated with regulating appetite. How these two brain regions work together to help animals remember what they ate, where they found it, and whether they liked it is not known. This project investigates how these memories are formed and how they are used by animals to make decisions about future meals.
Disorder in the circuits that process emotional stimuli are central in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders. In this grant we will study the circuits that are inolved in fear learnng. Our results will provide the background to developing more effective therapies for a range of anxiety related disorders such as generalised anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder.
Defining The Function Of Two Discrete Precursor Cell Populations In The Adult Hippocampus: Potential For The Treatment Of Cognitive And Mood Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,985.00
Summary
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis plays a crucial role in fundamental cognitive processes such as learning and memory formation and mood regulation. Our laboratory has identified two discrete pools of quiescent stem and precursor cells in the adult hippocampus that can be activated by distinct mechanisms. This study will examine the functional properties of new neurons generated from these discrete pools and their role in improving behavioural outcomes associated with cognition and mood regulation
Cannabidiol May Protect The Brain Against The Harmful Effects Of Marijuana
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$974,586.00
Summary
While marijuana holds therapeutic potential, prolonged and heavy use is associated with adverse effects on the brain. However, the key constituents of marijuana (THC and CBD) have been found to have opposing effects on the brain (i.e., harmful vs protective). This project will be the first comprehensive examination of the key question - can CBD protect against marijuana-related brain and psychosocial harms?
Stimulation Of Neurogenesis By Growth Hormone To Improve Cognition In An Aged Animal Model Of Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,828.00
Summary
Production of new neurons in the hippocampus of adult animals plays a role in regulating learning and memory, and this production slows continuously with increasing age. Here we explore ways to activate dormant populations of neurogenic precursor cells in the hippocampus to produce new neurons. Since the precursor cells are still present in the hippocampus of an aged animal these studies will provide unequivocal evidence for their importance in reversing age-related cognitive decline and dementi ....Production of new neurons in the hippocampus of adult animals plays a role in regulating learning and memory, and this production slows continuously with increasing age. Here we explore ways to activate dormant populations of neurogenic precursor cells in the hippocampus to produce new neurons. Since the precursor cells are still present in the hippocampus of an aged animal these studies will provide unequivocal evidence for their importance in reversing age-related cognitive decline and dementia.Read moreRead less
Insights Into The Epitranscriptome: Linking RNA Methylation And Intellectual Disability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,878.00
Summary
The string of nucleotides in an RNA molecule can contain the information to make proteins or to regulate diverse biological processes. Chemical modifications can be added to certain nucleotides that impact the regulation, structure or function of RNA. Recently, mutations in enzymes that modify RNA have been found in patients with intellectual disability. This project focuses on identifying and characterising specific RNA modification sites in brain that when disrupted cause mental retardation.