Volitional And Non-volitional Control Of Human Balance: Normal Physiology And Changes With Ageing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$383,066.00
Summary
How does the brain control balance when we stand? Our research shows that two very distinct processes operate to produce distinct postural, perceptual and cardiovascular outcomes. These experiments investigate the neurophysiology that coordinates these systems and what happens with age. The results will fundamentally change views on balance control. Balance problems are common in neurological disorders and old age. Knowing how balance works will improve diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
Harnessing Human Motor Cortical Plasticity For Performance And Rehabilitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$341,304.00
Summary
Motor learning allows us to interact with our environment and loss of this ability is catastrophic. The reorganisational capacity of the brain can be used to enhance recovery from brain injury. However, our ability to do so is limited by lack of understanding of the underlying mechanisms. These studies will use novel approaches to investigate how the human brain reorganises during motor skill learning. The outcomes will be important for the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
The Influence Of Human Cortical Rhythms On The Induction Of Plasticity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$298,898.00
Summary
The human brain has a great capacity to reorganise. This capacity is known as plasticity and is behind our ability to learn new skills. Plasticity is important for recovery from brain injury. The recently developed technique of transcranial magnetic stimulation can be used to manipulate plasticity in the human brain This approach offers new and exciting therapeutic opportunities. This project is aimed at optimising this technique.
Proprioception is how we sense the position of our joints, the movements of our joints, and the forces generated by our muscles. Disturbances of proprioception can cause major disruption of all movements and postures. We will undertake novel studies of how signals generated in the brain which command our movements contribute to all key aspects of proprioception. Finally we will unravel how the brain builds up the overall 'scheme' of our body which we need to make any accurate movement.
From Understanding The Mechanisms To Implementing Conservative Management Of Musculoskeletal Conditions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,339,215.00
Summary
Musculoskeletal pain is the leading cause of disability internationally and outcomes are worsening. This work will take a unique approach to study back pain from the mechanisms that occur at the cellular level to the interaction between a person’s physiology and psychology to understand why pain fluctuates, to understand how treatments can be more appropriately tailored for individuals, and to test how people with back pain can be supported to change behaviours and achieve recovery.
Harnessing Neural Plasticity To Improve Functional Outcomes Following Burn Injury.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$667,984.00
Summary
Burn is painful and leads to long-term functional impairment and increased chronic disease. Pain and peripheral injury induce changes in the brain that can be functionally beneficial or maladaptive, yet we know little about brain changes following burn injury. This project will identify the mechanisms and functional impact of neural plasticity after burn injury, and test the efficacy of a neural intervention to reduce pain and improve functional recovery following burn injury.
Reconsideration Of The Mechanisms Underlying Movement Changes With Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
Pain changes the way we move. Although undisputed, there is a surprising lack of agreement regarding the underlying mechanisms. This project involves an innovative mix of neurophysiological methods to investigate how the drive to muscle cells from the nervous system is altered during pain. We aim to resolve the perplexing problem of how pain changes our ability to activate muscle. Our findings are likely to provide a clear understanding of the underlying mechanisms and guide rehabilitation.