Excitatory Synaptic Circuitry And Plasticity In The Amygdala.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,750.00
Summary
The amygdala is a key structure in the neuronal circuitry that underlies the analysis of emotional information. In particular this structure plays a major role in the processing of fear-related information. Disorders of the processing and storage of such information are thought to be the major underlying cause of mental disorders such as panic attacks, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder. Understanding the physiology of this structure and the ways in which this can change in response to v ....The amygdala is a key structure in the neuronal circuitry that underlies the analysis of emotional information. In particular this structure plays a major role in the processing of fear-related information. Disorders of the processing and storage of such information are thought to be the major underlying cause of mental disorders such as panic attacks, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder. Understanding the physiology of this structure and the ways in which this can change in response to various stimuli is necessary for the development of rational therapies that target the amygdala.Read moreRead less
Harnessing The Human Postmortem Brain To Elucidate Changes In FK506 Binding Protein (FKBP5) In The Neuropathology Of Severe Psychiatric Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,052.00
Summary
The postmortem human brain is a unique source to search for the pathological basis of severe psychiatric disorders including major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Postmortem tissues are however being underutilised. This project will apply a selection of powerful biochemical measuring techniques to postmortem human brain tissues to uncover the molecular pathways of severe psychiatric disorders, which is knowledge that can lead to better treatments, preventions and cures.
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.
Understanding The Pathophysiology Of Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Disorder And Bipolar Disorder As A Basis For Improving Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$804,106.00
Summary
The Applicant seeks to understand the causes of the schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, which affect over 20% of the Australian population. This research is important as drug design, based on chemical remodelling, has not significantly advanced initial breakthroughs in treating psychiatric disorders and there is now a widespread belief that new drugs will only come from understand their causes.
Understanding The Role Of Muscarinic Receptors In The Pathophysiology Of Depression And Bipolar Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,074.00
Summary
The causes of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, which effect many Australians, remain unknown. We have recently shown decreases in muscarinic receptors in the brain of people with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Muscarinic receptors are important in maintaining the functions of the brain that seem to be affected in people with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Here we seek to understand how changes in muscarinic receptors occur in both disorders.
Differential Changes In Cortical Tumour Necrosis Factor Signalling In Mood Disorders And Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$642,078.00
Summary
Changes in inflammation-related pathways contribute to the symptoms of psychiatric disorders and tumour necrosis factor ? (TNF) is a protein central to regulating theses pathways. We have now shown that changes in pathways regulated by TNF are present in the brains of people with schizophrenia and mood disorders. This means that the symptoms experienced by those with the different disorders may be linked to differential changes in TNF-regulated pathways in the brain.
THE EFFECT OF STRESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT ON DISEASE PROGRESSION IN MESIAL TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,201.00
Summary
Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, the most common form of drug-resistant epilepsy in adults, is a progressive neurodegenerative condition for which there is currently no effective disease modifying treatment. This proposal will explore whether co-morbid stress accelerates disease progression in MTLE, and whether targeting stress pathways by medical and environmental manipulations can mitigate against this.
A Mechanistic Approach To Therapy Development For Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Using Small And Large Animal Models Of Concussion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$492,844.00
Summary
Repeated concussion in athletes has recently been associated with the development of a neurodegenerative disorder known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). While the neuropathology seems to be well characterised, the mechanisms associated with CTE development are not. This proposal will demonstrate that mechanically induced release of the neurotransmitter substance P accounts for much of the neuropathology in CTE, and will develop a novel therapy that will prevent such development.
Metal-mediated Mechanisms And Therapeutic Approaches For Treating Brain Injury Across Age
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,229,769.00
Summary
This grant will examine the role of zinc and iron in the neuronal changes that occur following brain injury, with a specific focus on the role of these metals in functional outcomes. We will also examine how the role of these metals changes across the normal lifespan, and also whether these metal changes are consistent across different types of brain injury. Finally, we will examine the therapeutic potential of zinc- and iron-targeted compounds.
Microtubule Stabilisation: Promoting Adaptive Plasticity, Brain Healing And Functional Recovery After Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$507,258.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) continues to be the leading cause of death and disability for individuals under 45 years of age. There are currently no effective pharmacotherapeutics available that are able to prevent or minimise brain damage following TBI. My team will use sophisticated in vivo techniques to fully characterise the brain's response to injury and to test whether microtubule stabilisation via new generation taxol-like drugs improves post-trauma outcomes.