Characterising Post Stroke Neuroplasticity In Humans – Identifying A Critical Window For Rehabilitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$764,419.00
Summary
Despite major investment in care for stroke patients, almost all have persisting disability. Stroke causes loss of brain cells that cannot be replaced. Some recovery is possible through compensatory mechanisms. In addition, intact cells around the stroke undergo growth that is critical for recovery. Animal studies suggest these changes take place in a “critical window” after stroke. Applying therapies in this window should improve outcomes. We will use novel approaches to define the “critical wi ....Despite major investment in care for stroke patients, almost all have persisting disability. Stroke causes loss of brain cells that cannot be replaced. Some recovery is possible through compensatory mechanisms. In addition, intact cells around the stroke undergo growth that is critical for recovery. Animal studies suggest these changes take place in a “critical window” after stroke. Applying therapies in this window should improve outcomes. We will use novel approaches to define the “critical window” in patients after strokeRead moreRead less
Mechanisms Underlying Impaired Neuroplasticity In Adolescents Born Preterm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$528,449.00
Summary
Preterm birth can lead to learning and motor deficits. We have preliminary evidence that these deficits last into adolescence and are due to a limited ability of the brain to reorganise (plasticity). We will confirm and characterise the learning/motor deficits seen in adolescents born preterm and explore if impaired plasticity is responsible. This project will provide vital information for the development of novel interventions to help children born prematurely to achieve best outcomes.
Mimicking Slow Wave Sleep To Enhance Plasticity In The Elderly Human Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,461.00
Summary
Cognitive and motor impairments associated with ageing have a major social and economic impact. This project will address a major driver of this decline. Brain functional decline is causally linked to poor sleep. Using non-invasive brain stimulation aspects of sleep important for maintaining cognitive and motor function will be mimicked, without the need for people to sleep. This will provide a new means to boost plasticity, and will assist in improving brain health throughout life.
Characterising Motor Network Connectivity To Improve Application Of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation In Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Stroke is a major health issue and leading cause of disability. Improvements to rehabilitation would be beneficial for both patients and hospital services. Brain stimulation has shown capacity to improve function after stroke. At the moment the effects are highly variable an unable to assist rehabilitation. Strength and pattern of remaining brain connections may explain variable responses to brain stimulation. Tailoring stimulation based on brain function will improve rehabilitation outcomes.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment Of Auditory Hallucinations In Psychotic Disorders: A Clinical And Neurobiological Investigation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
This research will investigate a novel treatment, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment, for auditory hallucinations of psychosis (e.g. schizophrenia). This work is novel as it will utilise an innovative and sophisticated method to optimise treatment at the individual level. Additionally, by identifying features of patients that predict response to treatment, this research will make major contributions to personalised treatment selection guidelines.
Combined TMS-EEG For Early Diagnosis Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,767.00
Summary
Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is key to more effective early intervention. Current biomarkers are expensive and are not suited for detecting the subtle changes in brain function that occur during the initial stages of the disease. Non-invasive brain stimulation is pain-free and inexpensive, and can directly probe brain function in conscious humans. This project will investigate whether these techniques might be used to identify markers of early brain dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.
Strengthening Functional Connectivity In The Ageing Brain.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Age-related deficits in the ability to perform meaningful, voluntary movements markedly increase the likelihood of experiencing falls, a major cause of injury among older adults. Using advanced neurophysiological techniques, this project will (1) define the role of functional connectivity decline in age-related movement deficits and (2) gain a mechanistic understanding of improvements in voluntary movement control through a promising intervention for reversing age-related functional decline.
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.
Investigating The ‘Silent Epidemic’ Of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A TMS-EEG Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is common following an impact to the head. These injuries can affect brain function for many years after the initial incident, are associated with the development of serious conditions such as depression or Alzheimer’s disease, and increase the risk of suicide. This project will use cutting edge neurophysiological techniques to better understand how mTBI affects the brain, and to identify new strategies for restoring brain function following injury.
Characterising And Modulating Corticostriatal Connectivity In Schizophrenia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is a devastating mental illness that affects approximately 0.5-1% of the population. Many of the symptoms of schizophrenia, such as problems with memory and motivation, remain untreatable. This project will explore the brain processes that underlie memory deficits in people with schizophrenia and investigate the use of non-invasive brain stimulation to improve these impairments. The results from this study will hopefully lead to new treatments for people with schizophrenia.