Psychiatric disorders in epilepsy. Psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety and cognitive disorders, are frequently observed in patients with epilepsy. Although standard dogma suggests that psychiatric disorders are a consequence of living with epilepsy, recent evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between these disorders, such that depression and other psychiatric illnesses act as risk factors for epilepsy development. This project will utilise basic science approaches to und ....Psychiatric disorders in epilepsy. Psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety and cognitive disorders, are frequently observed in patients with epilepsy. Although standard dogma suggests that psychiatric disorders are a consequence of living with epilepsy, recent evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between these disorders, such that depression and other psychiatric illnesses act as risk factors for epilepsy development. This project will utilise basic science approaches to understand the causal relationships between epilepsy and psychiatric disorders, and determine how and why psychiatric disorders and epilepsy co-exist. It is hoped that research conducted in this project will develop novel avenues to treatment of both epilepsy and psychiatric disorders.Read moreRead less
UNDERSTANDING THE BASIS OF COMPLEX BEHAVIOUR. This project is anchored in the fundamental understanding of complex vertebrate behaviours, namely cognition. Little is known about the molecular and neural substrates underpinning complex higher order information processing. This project aims to dissect the functional role of synaptic genes that are essential for organising neuronal connections, in distinct cognitive processes and how these functions may be regulated by other genes, drugs or environ ....UNDERSTANDING THE BASIS OF COMPLEX BEHAVIOUR. This project is anchored in the fundamental understanding of complex vertebrate behaviours, namely cognition. Little is known about the molecular and neural substrates underpinning complex higher order information processing. This project aims to dissect the functional role of synaptic genes that are essential for organising neuronal connections, in distinct cognitive processes and how these functions may be regulated by other genes, drugs or environmental factors. This project aims to employ state-of-the-art technologies to address the evolutionary biology of complex cognitive behaviours, towards further understandings how brain function evolved and the mechanisms that have enabled humans to perform highly complex and intricate tasks.Read moreRead less
The role of synapse development in cognitive disorder. In humans, intellectual disability occurs when nerve cells in the brain fail to connect. The project examines fundamental molecular processes involved in synapse development of neurons. The use of insect models provides a generalised biological template to understand how synaptic molecules contribute to behaviours that underlie cognitive disorder.
Understanding the neuronal mechanisms underlying inherited epilepsies. Epilepsy is a serious disease that impacts severely on individuals and the community as a whole. Conservative estimates suggest a financial cost of more than $2 billion per annum. Drug treatment for this disease is often not adequate. Recent advances have allowed scientists to determine mutation in human genes that cause epilepsy. New models of epilepsy based on this knowledge will allow us to better understand what causes e ....Understanding the neuronal mechanisms underlying inherited epilepsies. Epilepsy is a serious disease that impacts severely on individuals and the community as a whole. Conservative estimates suggest a financial cost of more than $2 billion per annum. Drug treatment for this disease is often not adequate. Recent advances have allowed scientists to determine mutation in human genes that cause epilepsy. New models of epilepsy based on this knowledge will allow us to better understand what causes epilepsy enabling us to devise new and potent therapeutic strategies to treat the disease.Read moreRead less
Gene-environment interactions mediating experience-dependent plasticity in the healthy and diseased brain. The aim of this project is to understand how genes and environment combine to affect susceptibility to various brain disorders, using models of human diseases and manipulating environmental factors such as mental and physical activity. The project's focus is on neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Huntington's disease, depression, schizophrenia and autism.
Understanding brain mechanisms that control autonomic function. This project aims to understand the how the brain regulates sympathetic nerve activity, thereby increasing our understanding of the biology and function of nascent neurons on the adult brain stem. This challenges the current notion that new neurons are only made during development. The project will also determine how brain inflammation impacts blood-brain barrier function and affects sympathetic nerve regulation. The basic fundament ....Understanding brain mechanisms that control autonomic function. This project aims to understand the how the brain regulates sympathetic nerve activity, thereby increasing our understanding of the biology and function of nascent neurons on the adult brain stem. This challenges the current notion that new neurons are only made during development. The project will also determine how brain inflammation impacts blood-brain barrier function and affects sympathetic nerve regulation. The basic fundamental insights and conceptual advances into how autonomic function is controlled by the brain will provide a better understanding of these fundamental processes and will contribute to Australia’s priority research areas to improve health and advance product development.Read moreRead less
Modelling the human nervous system with human pluripotent stem cells. The human nervous system is one of the most complex structures evolved to date. In order to understand how it functions, and dysfunctions in a diseased state, it is fundamental to decipher how it develops to generate various neuronal populations that form this elaborate network. Human stem cells provide a valuable source to study such processes. The aim of this project is to use human stem cells to study how early progenitor c ....Modelling the human nervous system with human pluripotent stem cells. The human nervous system is one of the most complex structures evolved to date. In order to understand how it functions, and dysfunctions in a diseased state, it is fundamental to decipher how it develops to generate various neuronal populations that form this elaborate network. Human stem cells provide a valuable source to study such processes. The aim of this project is to use human stem cells to study how early progenitor cell types that structure the nervous system are generated and how their neuronal derivatives form connectivity and functional synapses. The outcome of these studies is that we will establish a cellular model of human neurogenesis that can be utilised to study developmental disease processes.Read moreRead less
Understanding the contribution of neuroinflammation in acute and chronic neural injury. A major focus of this project will be investigating the involvement of neuroinflammation in neural cell damage. It will explore how neuroinflammation contributes to this damage in both acute and chronic neuropathologies.
Advanced magnetic resonance imaging methods for the characterisation of brain structure and function. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive method that has revolutionised the development of neuroscience and neurology. The goal of this project is to develop advanced MRI methods for the study of brain structure and function which will be applied to the investigation of epilepsy and stroke.
The Genetic Analysis of Neurological Diseases. Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's are debilitating neurodegenerative diseases, which affect 16,000 and 80,000 Australians, respectively. Between them, these diseases cost the community $7.8 billion per annum, and there is no cure. This proposal will study the genes that influence a person's predisposition to developing these diseases, and what makes some people have particular characteristics. It will provide novel insights into the diseases themse ....The Genetic Analysis of Neurological Diseases. Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's are debilitating neurodegenerative diseases, which affect 16,000 and 80,000 Australians, respectively. Between them, these diseases cost the community $7.8 billion per annum, and there is no cure. This proposal will study the genes that influence a person's predisposition to developing these diseases, and what makes some people have particular characteristics. It will provide novel insights into the diseases themselves and information that could help in the development of new and more effective drugs, and biomarkers to assist in the prediction of prognosis. Such advances would decrease the economic impact of these diseases and improve quality of life for those affected.Read moreRead less