Molecular Imaging To Advance Treatment Of Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,419.00
Summary
Molecular imaging using a scan technique called positron emission tomography, enables detection and measurement of specific pathological features of disease such as the amyloid plaques of Alzheimer’s disease. This project will develop this technology for other aspects of brain disorders including dementias, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury and schizophrenia and use it to assist development of therapies and improve clinical diagnosis nation wide.
A new scan called PiB PET shows the build up of amyloid protein deposits in the brain in all patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) but also in 30% of normal elderly persons. This study will track the build up of amyloid and clinical progress in 280 elderly Australians to confirm that this scan can detect AD before symptoms and investigate factors that influence this build up and its damaging effects on memory and thinking. Early detection of Alzheimer's disease will assist accurate diagnosis an ....A new scan called PiB PET shows the build up of amyloid protein deposits in the brain in all patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) but also in 30% of normal elderly persons. This study will track the build up of amyloid and clinical progress in 280 elderly Australians to confirm that this scan can detect AD before symptoms and investigate factors that influence this build up and its damaging effects on memory and thinking. Early detection of Alzheimer's disease will assist accurate diagnosis and the development of treatment.Read moreRead less
The Australian, Imaging, Biomarkers And Lifestyle Study Of Ageing (AIBL) Phase III - Facilitating Early Intervention In Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$733,653.00
Summary
Amyloid brain scans can detect the onset of Alzheimer's disease 10-15 years before symptoms first appear. Amyloid build-up is thought to be the cause of Alzheimer's disease. The earlier that drugs designed to slow the build up of amyloid or to clear it from the brain are given, the greater the chance of benefit. This study will use the recent discoveries from the Australian AIBL study to develop the best method to find these people with brain amyloid but no symptoms for early treatment trials to ....Amyloid brain scans can detect the onset of Alzheimer's disease 10-15 years before symptoms first appear. Amyloid build-up is thought to be the cause of Alzheimer's disease. The earlier that drugs designed to slow the build up of amyloid or to clear it from the brain are given, the greater the chance of benefit. This study will use the recent discoveries from the Australian AIBL study to develop the best method to find these people with brain amyloid but no symptoms for early treatment trials to prevent dementia.Read moreRead less
Traumatic Brain Injury, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder And The Risk Of Neurodegenerative Disease: A Study Of Tau And Beta-amyloid Accumulation, Brain Structure And Function Several Decades After Injury.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,076,860.00
Summary
The study aims to better understand the association between traumatic brain injury (TBI), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The study will examine retired AFL players, road trauma victims and Vietnam veterans with advanced imaging using PET brain scans for the abnormal brain deposits typical of AD and CTE and assess the risk of later developing these diseases from head injury and PTSD.
The role of P2X7 and P2X4 receptor mediated innate phagocytosis in pathogenesis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. This project will identify how inherited variation in two proteins of the brain can accelerate the removal of neurones and predispose to a range of neurodegenerative diseases. Knowledge of the biological basis of this finding will allow a search for new compounds which will slow and protect against this form of neurodegeneration.
Physiology of tau protein: a novel role in scaffolding and intracellular distribution. Understanding brain function remains a challenge. This project will study the normal role of the Alzheimer's disease-related protein tau in brain function during ageing. This will significantly enhance current understanding of brain function.
Harnessing non-invasive brain stimulation to improve language function in healthy and pathological ageing. This project will examine how the ability of the ageing brain to process language can be improved by non-invasive brain stimulation. The findings have the potential to reveal new ways to treat language impairments in ageing-associated brain injury and disease.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101514
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
The control of neuroplasticity in the brain. This project aims to determine how neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to remodel and make new circuits – is controlled in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons. This capacity, vital for all cognitive functions, diminishes as people age. It is imperative to determine neuroplasticity’s mechanisms and how and why they change, but it is not known how both excitatory and inhibitory neurons contribute to neuroplasticity and how these dynamic alterations ....The control of neuroplasticity in the brain. This project aims to determine how neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to remodel and make new circuits – is controlled in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons. This capacity, vital for all cognitive functions, diminishes as people age. It is imperative to determine neuroplasticity’s mechanisms and how and why they change, but it is not known how both excitatory and inhibitory neurons contribute to neuroplasticity and how these dynamic alterations are controlled. Understanding neuroplasticity is vital for learning, memory and healthy ageing throughout life.Read moreRead less
Regulation of neuronal cell death signalling for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and motor neuron diseases, are often underpinned by neuronal cell death-signalling. This project aims to characterise molecules that regulate cell death signalling, thereby increasing our knowledge of how neuronal cell death can be inhibited.
How critical is the inflammatory response in senile plaque formation in a mutant APP transgenic mouse model? The aims of this project is to examine the brains of mice genetically engineered to produce a human mutant form of insoluble beta amyloid protein known to play a critical role in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). If the "trigger" for AD is an inflammatory reaction, then the relevant examination of the early stages of senile plaque formation in these animals could lead to pharma ....How critical is the inflammatory response in senile plaque formation in a mutant APP transgenic mouse model? The aims of this project is to examine the brains of mice genetically engineered to produce a human mutant form of insoluble beta amyloid protein known to play a critical role in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). If the "trigger" for AD is an inflammatory reaction, then the relevant examination of the early stages of senile plaque formation in these animals could lead to pharmaceutical intervention to delay the development of this debilitating disease. A 5 year delay would significantly reduce the number of people with AD, not only adding years of improved quality of life, but also saving hundreds of millions of Australian dollars in health costs.Read moreRead less