Narcolepsy With Cataplexy: A Brain Orexin Replacement Strategy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$810,784.00
Summary
Narcolepsy with cataplexy is a debilitating, life-long sleep-wake disorder, caused by the irreversible loss of the brain peptide 'orexin'. There is no satisfactory and safe treatment. We aim to develop an orexin analogue, delivered directly to the brain of sheep (relevant in size and translatable to patients) by a programmable pump to timely activate the orexin 'wake-up' switch. This innovative precision medicine project will significantly improve the quality of life of narcolepsy patients.
Pathogenic Mechanisms Common To All Subtypes Of Frontotemporal Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,294.00
Summary
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegerative disease of unknown cause and without effective treatment. While there are a number of clinical and pathological subtypes of FTD all have abnormal protein deposition. In this project we will investigate using brain tissue from patients with FTD, transgenic mice and culture models the cellular mechanisms which underly the protein depsotion. In addition, we will look at the brain's response to injury and investigate modulation of this response.
A Novel Intracellular Roadblock To Cobalamin Utilization In Ageing And Alzheimer�s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$11,304.00
Summary
Vitamin B12 is required for red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis and normal neurological function. B12 deficiency contributes to age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer�s disease. This research will provide important new information regarding the ageing process and the impact that brain changes associated with ageing and Alzheimer's disease have on B12 metabolism. It will provide important information related to the therapeutic potential of B12.
Forging A New Understanding Of Iron In Neurodegenerative Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,573.00
Summary
Using the versatile model system, C. elegans, this proposal will define how normal functions of the brain become corrupted with age and hijacked by neurodegenerative diseases to cause dementia. Coupling specialised X-ray imaging only available at the Australian Synchrotron with the research excellence of the University of Melbourne, this Fellowship will provide a better understanding of normal ageing and how this relates to the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
Boosting Mitochondria- A New Approach For Protecting The Aging Optic Nerve In Glaucoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,784.00
Summary
Increasing age is a major risk factor for neurodegeneration. We have recently shown that subjecting mice to intermittent periods of fasting improves mitochondrial function in the retina and reverses age-related decline in optic nerve vulnerability to injury. This project now aims to investigate key molecular pathway for restoring mitochondria and from this attempts to find more palatable therapeutic strategies for protecting the optic nerve from injury.
Brain disorders are a major public health and economic problem. Study of brain tissues from deceased patients using current technologies has great potential to unlock our understanding of how these diseases occur and may lead to improvements in diagnosis, treatment or the development of preventative strategies. The furthering of this knowledge as new technologies come on-line justifies the need to develop a National Network devoted to storage and provision of carefully characterised brain tissue ....Brain disorders are a major public health and economic problem. Study of brain tissues from deceased patients using current technologies has great potential to unlock our understanding of how these diseases occur and may lead to improvements in diagnosis, treatment or the development of preventative strategies. The furthering of this knowledge as new technologies come on-line justifies the need to develop a National Network devoted to storage and provision of carefully characterised brain tissue to neuroscientists.Read moreRead less
Dementia In Type 2 Diabetes – Studying Causal Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$514,786.00
Summary
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is an important risk factor for dementia, and knowledge regarding the biological pathways linking the two disorders can provide great insight into the causes of dementia overall. I plan to study the links between T2D and dementia using analytical modelling to tease out causal pathways. My overall vision is to establish a sound knowledge base upon which effective interventions can be devised to prevent or delay dementia, using T2D-related dementia as a model.
Therapeutic And Diagnostic Approaches For The Neurodegenerative Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$804,106.00
Summary
Diseases of the brain such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease cause enormous socio-economic harm to Australia. They are a major cause of disability and the burden associated with mental illness is predicted to grow by almost 50% over the coming decade. Therefore there is an urgent need to develop new approaches to identify and treat these diseases. This Fellowship will be dedicated to creating new diagnostic methods and treatments for these diseases