A Novel Treatment For Ischemic Stroke: Preclinical Assessment In The Nonhuman Primate
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$762,246.00
Summary
A major source of repair inhibition after brain injury is debris from dying cells, which contains proteins that hinder repair. This project will examine the expression of these proteins in a clinically-relevant model of ischemic stroke and determine if blocking the effect of these proteins neutralises their repair-inhibiting properties. If successful, there is likelihood that this drug, and method of delivery, could be translated into the human for treatment following an ischemic stroke.
Using Non-invasive Magnetic Stimulation To Promote Remyelination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$664,869.00
Summary
In patients with multiple sclerosis, brain insulation is lost from nerves. This leads to permanent and progressive disability. We have identified a non-invasive method of magnetic stimulation, and have shown that it increases the number of new insulating cells added to the brain. In this study we will determine whether this new treatment can promote insulation repair in a model of multiple sclerosis.
Pre-Clinical Studies Towards Cell-Based Approaches For Cortical Repair.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$739,901.00
Summary
This project seeks to determine whether brain cells that die after stroke can be functionally replaced using cells grown in the laboratory from human stem cells. Current therapies for stroke aim to limit the damage but do not allow for actual recovery of brain function. By growing turning stem cells into specialised cells that match the ones lost after stroke, this project aims to restore motor function by transplanting these cells into the injured brain.
Toward Cell-replacement Therapy For Parkinson's Disease: Investigating Endogenous Dopamine Neurogenesis In The Adult Mouse Substantia Nigra
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$577,957.00
Summary
Death of a particular type of cell in the brain causes the movement symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) (e.g. tremor). This study investigates how these cells are normally replaced, and whether stimulating their replacement can alleviate movement symptoms in an animal model of PD. Fulfillment of these aims will deliver vital information about how we might delay and better treat the movement symptoms of PD.
Pre-clinical Steps Towards A Stem Cell Therapy For Parkinson's Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,179,594.00
Summary
A promising experimental therapy for Parkinson's disease is the use of stem cells that in order to replace the cells lost during the disease process. A challenge for this approach is that upon transplantation into the brain, in addition to the therapeutic cell types, there will also be unwanted cell types such as those that can form tumours. This proposal seeks to establish a novel strategy for removing those cells prior to transplantation.
Functional Neurogenesis In The Injured Neocortex Of The Nonhuman Primate
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$966,048.00
Summary
Research over the past couple of decades has revolutionised our understanding of the capacity of the brain to generate new cells, especially following an injury. However, what does remain controversial is whether this phenomenon occurs in all areas of the brain, especially following a severe traumatic brain injury or stroke. This project will examine whether the outer surface of the brain has the potential to generate new cells following a brain injury and whether they become functional.
Inflammatory lipids are involved in neurotrauma. They are key players in regulating the brain, spinal cord and immune responses to injury and thus in modulating the outcome of central nervous system (CNS) damage. We will investigate how bioactive inflammatory lipids, released during trauma, modulate neural response to injury and regeneration, by assessing their roles on central nervous system responses to injury.
Selective Isolation And In Vivo Properties Of Dopamine Neurons Generated From Embryonic Stem Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$505,389.00
Summary
This research aims to develop a procedure that allows for the safe and effective use of stem cells as a therapy for Parkinson’s disease. It is based on the concept that new dopamine neurons, generated from stem cells, can be implanted into the brain of the patients in order to replace those lost to the disease, thereby improving motor function.
Knowledge, Identification And Exploitation Of Dopaminergic Axon Guidance Cues Will Improve Cell Replacement Therapy For ParkinsonÍs Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,797.00
Summary
Many obstacles exist for cell transplantation in ParkinsonÍs Disease; namely poor graft survival, restoration of appropriate circuitry and adequate nerve fiber growth from new cells. Using knowledge of how neural circuits are established during fetal development, we will attempt to recapitulate these events following transplantation. Further, we will identify new and novel cues in regulating the connectivity and growth of these nerve fibers.