Validating Novel Biomarkers Relevant To Major Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$515,550.00
Summary
Depression prevention and treatment are public health priorities; therefore, it is critical to improve and personalise treatments, which can only be achieved by advancing knowledge of its underlying biology. This research project will contribute to validating potentially relevant genes for MDD risk or antidepressant response and to provide the scientific foundation for future strategies to test their products as MDD biomarkers in the clinical setting.
Understanding The Pathophysiology Of Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Disorder And Bipolar Disorder As A Basis For Improving Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$804,106.00
Summary
The Applicant seeks to understand the causes of the schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, which affect over 20% of the Australian population. This research is important as drug design, based on chemical remodelling, has not significantly advanced initial breakthroughs in treating psychiatric disorders and there is now a widespread belief that new drugs will only come from understand their causes.
Differential Changes In Cortical Tumour Necrosis Factor Signalling In Mood Disorders And Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$642,078.00
Summary
Changes in inflammation-related pathways contribute to the symptoms of psychiatric disorders and tumour necrosis factor ? (TNF) is a protein central to regulating theses pathways. We have now shown that changes in pathways regulated by TNF are present in the brains of people with schizophrenia and mood disorders. This means that the symptoms experienced by those with the different disorders may be linked to differential changes in TNF-regulated pathways in the brain.
Understanding The Role Of Muscarinic Receptors In The Pathophysiology Of Depression And Bipolar Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,074.00
Summary
The causes of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, which effect many Australians, remain unknown. We have recently shown decreases in muscarinic receptors in the brain of people with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Muscarinic receptors are important in maintaining the functions of the brain that seem to be affected in people with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Here we seek to understand how changes in muscarinic receptors occur in both disorders.