Segmentation Of The Peripheral Nervous System - The Role Of Axon Guidance Factors.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,331.00
Summary
Injury to the nervous system results in great loss to the individual and society at large. To repair a damaged nerve pathway so that functional recovery may ensue is the pre-eminent goal of neuroscience research. An understanding of how factors that guide nerve processes coordinate the wiring of the nervous system during development of an embryo will provide an insight into what strategy is required to repair a damaged nerve pathway in the mature nervous system. In this research project we propo ....Injury to the nervous system results in great loss to the individual and society at large. To repair a damaged nerve pathway so that functional recovery may ensue is the pre-eminent goal of neuroscience research. An understanding of how factors that guide nerve processes coordinate the wiring of the nervous system during development of an embryo will provide an insight into what strategy is required to repair a damaged nerve pathway in the mature nervous system. In this research project we propose to investigate what factors guide the formation of the peripheral nervous system which controls the body. We will use a novel model system whereby a whole chick embryo is grown in a culture dish and the developing nerve pathways can be manipulated to discover what are the exact factors that guide nerve processes to wire up pathways to the limbs and other body parts. This research will provide an opportunity to study the basic principles of nerve pathfinding which may then be applied to more complicated circuits within the brain and to the repair of injured nerve pathways.Read moreRead less
Pathophysiology Of Focal Human Entrapment Neuropathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$33,626.00
Summary
Neuropathy patients suffer from tingling, pain, numbness, spontaneous muscle contraction and cramp. The symptoms reflect abnormal activation of the nerve involved. It is known that an external agitation can worsen them, like in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This study aims to investigate if changes in function of axonal membrane ion channel play any part in the symptoms. This will be done by comparing axonal membrane ion channel functions of healthy and CTS patients under external stimuli.
The Role Of Proinflammatory Interleukin-17 (IL-17) And IL-17-producing T Cells In Neuropathic Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,051.00
Summary
Peripheral nerve injury often results in persistent and debilitating neuropathic pain. My overall objective is to understand the immunological mechanisms responsible for such pain. I plan to test the hypothesis that the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 promotes neuroinflammation and contributes to increased pain sensitivity after nerve injury. This study promises to enhance our understanding of neuroimmune activation in neuropathic pain and offers new opportunities for pain management.
Mechanisms Of Autoantibody Mediated Axonal Injury In Inflammatory Demyelinating Neuropathies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,197.00
Summary
Destruction of nerve fibres (axons) accompanies demyelination and may be responsible for most of the deficit in multiple sclerosis and immune neuropathies. This project will investigate the role of recently described antibodies against a normal component of the axon in axonal damage in both animal models and in patients with immune neuropathies. The project could have a major effect on approaches to management of these diseases.
Prevention Of Neuron Death By Targeted Gene Delivery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$195,691.00
Summary
Neurotrophic factors are potent proteins that have the ability to keep nerves alive. They have therefore been used in clinical trials to treat motor neuron disease, but without success. A major reason for this appears to be the way in which the neurotrophic factors are delivered. Direct injections into the blood stream are a convenient way of getting these large proteins into the bloodstream, but this is not their normal mode of action. These proteins are normally provided by cells adjacent to t ....Neurotrophic factors are potent proteins that have the ability to keep nerves alive. They have therefore been used in clinical trials to treat motor neuron disease, but without success. A major reason for this appears to be the way in which the neurotrophic factors are delivered. Direct injections into the blood stream are a convenient way of getting these large proteins into the bloodstream, but this is not their normal mode of action. These proteins are normally provided by cells adjacent to the nerves. We have designed a system that more closely resembles this physiological mode of action which involves the delivery of neurotrophic factor genes, via the bloodstream, to the affected nerves. Once inside the nerves the factors are produced on site and, following their secretion, act locally and directly on the injured nerves.Read moreRead less
Release And Action Of Anterogradely Transported BDNF From Sensory Nerve Terminals In The Spinal Cord
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$204,674.00
Summary
Neurotrophic factors are powerful agents found in very low amounts throughout the nervous system. Their role is to keep nerves alive, to assist in connecting nerves together and to help maintain the health of nerves. Usually this is achieved by each factor being bound at the end of the long nerve processes and transported back to the nucleus to regulate the metabolism of the nerve. We have discovered one factor, the protein Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor or BDNF, in one nerve type which is tr ....Neurotrophic factors are powerful agents found in very low amounts throughout the nervous system. Their role is to keep nerves alive, to assist in connecting nerves together and to help maintain the health of nerves. Usually this is achieved by each factor being bound at the end of the long nerve processes and transported back to the nucleus to regulate the metabolism of the nerve. We have discovered one factor, the protein Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor or BDNF, in one nerve type which is transported in the opposite direction. The project outlined plans to demonstrate the function of this unique transport by showing how BDNF can be released from nerves to act on neighboring cells.Read moreRead less