Exploring The Neuropathophysiology Of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,939.00
Summary
There are currently no validated biomedical techniques for diagnosing or treating autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This project will use cutting-edge neuroscience techniques to better understand the neurobiology of ASD and how neurobiological impairments relate to specific symptoms. These results will promote a better understanding of the brain basis of ASD, and may provide realistic targets for the development of new biomedical methods for diagnosis and treatment.
Personalised Brain Stimulation For Treatment Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$666,128.00
Summary
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects more than 230,000 Australians, 25% of whom attempt suicide. This project will use a novel method to profile people with OCD based on patterns of brain activity and symptoms, and assess if such profiling can improve the efficacy of brain stimulation interventions for OCD. Results from this study will provide evidence supporting the use of personalised brain stimulation as a viable therapy for OCD.
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.
Selective Modulation Of Corticostriatal Functional Circuitry Using TMS-fMRI
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$757,546.00
Summary
This project will validate a novel brain imaging-based method for targeted and non-invasive stimulation of specific brain circuits that play an important role in diverse cognitive, emotional and motor functions. The ability to selectively up-regulate or down-regulate activity in these circuits will have far-reaching treatment implications for a wide range of brain disorders.
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.
Investigating Caloric Vestibular Stimulation As A Novel Therapeutic Intervention For Chronic Pain, Mania And Depression.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,963.00
Summary
Chronic pain, mania and depression are common health problems worldwide and represent an enormous burden of illness. Current treatments may be costly, invasive and have serious side-effects. In the proposed project, demonstration of therapeutic benefit with a novel, simple method of brain stimulation without such limitations could change how these disorders are managed. Moreover, the findings would be of substantial significance in developing countries where treatments are often non-existent.
An Investigation Of Cortical Function In Autism Spectrum Disorders Using TMS, FMRI And EEG
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$324,480.00
Summary
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are severe psychiatric conditions, but our neurobiological understanding of these disorders is limited. Using an array of modern neuroscience techniques, this study investigates aspects of brain functioning that may contribute to social and behavioural impairments in ASD. While enhancing our neurobiological knowledge, this research also provides exciting new directions for ASD assessment and treatment.
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.
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