Harnessing Neural Plasticity To Improve Functional Outcomes Following Burn Injury.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$667,984.00
Summary
Burn is painful and leads to long-term functional impairment and increased chronic disease. Pain and peripheral injury induce changes in the brain that can be functionally beneficial or maladaptive, yet we know little about brain changes following burn injury. This project will identify the mechanisms and functional impact of neural plasticity after burn injury, and test the efficacy of a neural intervention to reduce pain and improve functional recovery following burn injury.
Volitional And Non-volitional Control Of Human Balance: Normal Physiology And Changes With Ageing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$383,066.00
Summary
How does the brain control balance when we stand? Our research shows that two very distinct processes operate to produce distinct postural, perceptual and cardiovascular outcomes. These experiments investigate the neurophysiology that coordinates these systems and what happens with age. The results will fundamentally change views on balance control. Balance problems are common in neurological disorders and old age. Knowing how balance works will improve diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
One of the main trends in the evolution of the primate brain was the huge expansion of the cortical areas devoted to visual processing. However, the exact role of individual areas remains highly controversial, making detailed physiological and anatomical studies in suitable primate models a key step to elucidating their function in the human brain. We will address one particular aspect of this problem, namely the organisation of the cortical areas that provide visual control for skilled movement ....One of the main trends in the evolution of the primate brain was the huge expansion of the cortical areas devoted to visual processing. However, the exact role of individual areas remains highly controversial, making detailed physiological and anatomical studies in suitable primate models a key step to elucidating their function in the human brain. We will address one particular aspect of this problem, namely the organisation of the cortical areas that provide visual control for skilled movements. It is proposed that there are two parallel brain circuits involved in the analysis of motion, one tracking the movement of objects, and the other analysing a person s self-motion. Consider, for example, the task of a tennis player who has to return a serve. In order to achieve this, the brain must precisely integrate information about the ball s motion, as well as information about the player s speed and direction. This requires precise control of eye movements (to keep the eyes on the ball), as well as the ability to control the limb and trunk muscles. The aim of this study will be to map the anatomical framework underlying our ability to process all the relevant visual motion information, and to coordinate the appropriate motor responses. Such work is fundamental for understanding the functional organisation of the brain. It also has the potential to lay the groundwork for developments in areas of applied research, including medicine (e.g. the design of better rehabilitation strategies for people with brain damage), robotics- artificial intelligence (e.g. the improvement of artificial systems capable of vision), and the cognitive sciences (e.g. a better understanding of factors that limit human responses to visual stimuli).Read moreRead less
Understanding The Brain In The Transition From Acute To Chronic Low Back Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,049.00
Summary
A critical question in treating low back pain (LBP) is why some people get better after hurting their back while others do not. Physiological mechanisms, such as brain plasticity and central sensitisation, are believed to underpin the transition to persistent pain. This is the first study to evaluate these mechanisms longitudinally and their relationship with LBP outcomes. The result of this research will provide better understanding of pain mechanisms of LBP and assist to develop novel therapy.
Understanding The Organisation Of The Medial Parietal Cortex: Sensorimotor Integration For Goal-directed Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$551,862.00
Summary
Reaching and grasping are of obvious significance for a productive life, and many of the brain areas known to be involved in the direction of arm movements are located in the parietal lobe. Stroke affecting this part of the brain causes disability, as people become unable to reach accurately, or to close their hands around objects with appropriate strength. This project will combine modern physiological and anatomical methods to reveal the brain circuitry responsible for such crucial skills.
Mechanisms Of Cortical Plasticity And Facilitation Of Functional Recovery Following Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$427,500.00
Summary
Specific regions of the human brain have been shown to reorganise following damage to the brain or peripheral nerves. This reorganisation is seen in both young and older subjects and is thought to be useful in helping to restore function. For example, following a stroke a patient may, initially, be unable to move one arm. However, in the following weeks and months some function may return. A number of mechanisms may be responsible for this improvement. However, it is likely that at least some of ....Specific regions of the human brain have been shown to reorganise following damage to the brain or peripheral nerves. This reorganisation is seen in both young and older subjects and is thought to be useful in helping to restore function. For example, following a stroke a patient may, initially, be unable to move one arm. However, in the following weeks and months some function may return. A number of mechanisms may be responsible for this improvement. However, it is likely that at least some of the improvement is due to reorganisation within the sensorimotor cortex. Following the stroke the control of the arm may be taken over by adjacent undamaged regions of the brain. This reorganisation allows impressive functional recoveries to occur. We have preliminary evidence to support the idea that patterns of activity generated in peripheral nerves (afferent input) following stroke may be crucial for the development of the organisational changes seen within the brain. We have shown that by applying specific patterns of sensory input we are able to produce organisational changes within the motor cortex of control subjects. Also, we have been able to induce similar changes in stroke patients. These changes have been accompanied by improvements in motor control. These novel and exciting findings support our hypothesis that by applying certain patterns of afferent input to patients following stroke we will be able to facilitate functional recovery by maximising reoganisation within the cortex. In the present project we will establish the organisation patterns in the brain of stroke patients and contrast the findings with control subjects. Secondly we will investigate the potential for facilitating recovery of stroke patients by the application of specific patterns of afferent input. These novel experiments may lead to important therapeutic developments that will benefit the large population of patients suffering strokes.Read moreRead less