Restoration Of The Nigrostriatal Pathway In The Parkinsonian Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,431.00
Summary
Many obstacles exist for cell transplantation in Parkinson's disease; namely poor restoration of the host brain circuitry due to incorrect graft placement. This results in incomplete motor function and unwanted side effects. Through iterative studies we endeavor to restore this circuitry by placing grafts in the appropriate location and promoting their survival and growth-integrations. This will require: optimizing the donor tissue and exposure of the graft to growth stimulating factors.
Secretion Of Alpha-synuclein: A Diagnostic Marker For Parkinsons Disease And A Clue To Its (patho)physiology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$634,051.00
Summary
We have found that a protein, alpha-synuclein is low in people with Parkinson's Disease. We wish to see if this can be used as a diagnostic test for the condition. Alpha-Synuclein is thought to be important in causing Parkinson's Disease. We suspect that by finding out why less of this protein enters the blood stream in Parkinson's Disease, we may discover clues as to how alpha-synuclein causes problems in this condition.
I am a neurologist and neuroscientist studying the causes and mechanisms of Parkinson's disease and the physiology in health and diseases of the nervous system affected by movement disorders