This project aims to develop a treatment for hearing loss (none exist) that can be progressed to a clinical trial for patients with significant hearing impairment. The treatment involves the use of drug delivery particles that we have shown to be effective in preventing the loss of sensory auditory cells in deafness. The project will further develop and validate this technology in deafness models so that it can be applied to human patients in a first in human trial.
Treating Parkinson's Disease Dementia With Nanoscaffolds
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$665,144.00
Summary
Several diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), result in dementia. Currently, pharmacological therapy is the only treatment for PD dementia, which only offers symptomatic relief with diminished efficacy. Therefore, there is a need to develop new strategies that prevent or slow the onset of dementia. This study will utilize nanoscaffolds that facilitate the controlled delivery of therapeutic proteins to prevent or slow the death of neurons associated with dementia in PD patients.
Unravelling The Mechanism Coupling Synaptic Activity With Neurotrophin Signaling In The Nervous System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,815.00
Summary
Although active brain cells are known to survive for much longer than inactive ones, the mechanism underpinning this essential process has remained elusive. We have uncovered a direct coupling between neuronal activity and survival signals. The purpose of this grant application is to establish the molecular mechanism underpinning this coupling and understand how neuropathic pathogens manage to harness it with devastating effects to the brain.
Investigating The Interaction Between BDNF And Sex Steroid Hormones During Adolescent Development: Relevance To Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$449,048.00
Summary
Schizophrenia first appears clinically during late adolescence. Sex hormones as well as growth factors such as Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are involved in shaping the adolescent brain to its adult form. Alterations to these systems may contribute to structural changes seen in schizophrenia. This project will investigate the interaction of BDNF and sex hormones in the development of the adolescent mouse brain, and behavioural responses with relevance to schizophrenia.
Developing A New Strategy For Treating Demyelinating Peripheral Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,250.00
Summary
Incomplete remyelination is a significant component of the persistent clinical disability of peripheral demyelinating neuropathy, contributing to conduction deficits and the secondary axonal damage. A crucial therapeutic challenge is to identify ways to promote remyelination. This project aims to develop a new strategy and a novel clinically relevant target for treating peripheral demyelinating neuropathy.