Dementia is the third leading cause of death in Australia and the single greatest cause of disability in the elderly. Current therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, are inadequate and fundamentally new treatment approaches are required. The aim of this proposal is to develop novel drug candidates for the treatment and prevention of AD and other neurodegenerative disorders by targeting a class of cell-surface receptors called G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).
New Nanoparticle Strategies For Efficient Delivery And Controlled Release Into The Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$571,633.00
Summary
A key challenge for treating neurodegenerative diseases is delivery of drugs across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). This project will develop advanced BBB “nanoshuttles” based upon systematic investigation of BBB penetration mechanisms and near-infrared drug controlled release strategy. These delivery systems may facilitate diagnosis of brain diseases and on-demand release of drug cargos to diseased cells in the brain, offering the potential of a brand new localised therapy for brain diseases.
Development And Epilepsy - Strategies For Innovative Research To Improve Diagnosis, Prevention And Treatment In Children With Difficult To Treat Epilepsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,083.00
Summary
By deciphering pathophysiological mechanisms in epileptogenic developmental disorders and developing mechanism-related, and advanced therapeutic strategies, we expect to discover novel genes and related molecular pathways that are involved in epilepsy and similar disorders. DESIRE will also help preventing the development of the disease after potentially epileptogenic brain insults.
Investigation Of Zinc Dyshomeostasis Associated With Aging And Dementia-related Disorders Using Novel Nanodiamond-based Markers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,644.00
Summary
This project will illuminate the fundamental brain changes that lead to age-related cognitive decline by means of newly developed biamarker based on fluorescent nanodiamonds. The expected outcome of this work will be a unique approach to elucidate the source of cognitive decline that will fill a significant unmet need within the community.
Novel Antivirals For The Treatment Of Hendravirus Infection.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$199,227.00
Summary
Hendravirus outbreaks have become frequent and 7 human cases have been reported, this has resulted in 4 deaths. Currently we have no treatment options. Researchers at Griffith University and the CSIRO have developed a new treatment that attacks the virus by turning off the viral genes at the site of infection. The plan is to treat patients soon after infection to slow or stop the virus and allow patients to recover naturally from this highly lethal disease.
Determining The Clinical Effectiveness Of Antiviral Drugs Against Oseltamivir- And Laninamivir-resistant Influenza Viruses In Animal Models
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$388,067.00
Summary
Currently, the neuraminidase inhibitors are the only drugs that are effective against seasonal influenza viruses. However, viruses can develop resistance to these drugs. Using viruses with varied levels of resistance, the project will determine the effectiveness of different drug treatments in animal models. This will lead to better treatment for those patients seriously ill with drug-resistant influenza viruses.
Development Of A Unified List Of Drugs Associated With Drug-induced Cognitive Impairment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,573.00
Summary
This research will develop a comprehensive list of drugs probably impairing cognition. These drugs will be identified from a large spontaneous reporting system in combination with those from published literature. The association of identified drugs and cognitive impairment will be tested using prescription sequence symmetry analyses in Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme claims database and validated through formal epidemiological studies in Australian ongoing longitudinal population-based cohorts.
Novel Targeted Degradable Multifunctional Poly(vinyl-co-ester) Nanoparticles For Alzheimer’s Disease Applications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,940.00
Summary
Novel biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles for efficient and targeted delivery of Alzheimer related agents to the brain will be developed. The nanocarriers will be fabricated from biocompatible multifunctional compounds and possess the capability to co-deliver diagnostic and therapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier. These systems are expected to become a new efficient class of brain delivery systems.
Parasitic infections are a significant global health problem, resulting in more than a million deaths annually. Unfortunately there is no licensed vaccine available for any human parasitic infection, and in many cases current drugs suffer from issues of parasite drug resistance. To address this problem this project brings together leading researchers from the European Union, Brazil, and Australia to discover and develop new types of drugs for four major human parasitic diseases: schistosomiasis, ....Parasitic infections are a significant global health problem, resulting in more than a million deaths annually. Unfortunately there is no licensed vaccine available for any human parasitic infection, and in many cases current drugs suffer from issues of parasite drug resistance. To address this problem this project brings together leading researchers from the European Union, Brazil, and Australia to discover and develop new types of drugs for four major human parasitic diseases: schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and malaria.Read moreRead less
New Strategies In The Treatment And Imaging Of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$934,085.00
Summary
The treatment and diagnosis of brain diseases is one of society’s major challenges. To address these challenges, we need a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in brain disease. We will develop innovative ways in which to probe disease progression, assess efficacy of treatment, and ultimately treat a wide range of brain disorders.