The Cellular Organisation Of Interneurones In Human Retina
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,454.00
Summary
Our goal is to determine the numbers and types of nerve cells in the human retina: the part of the eye where visual processing starts. This data will serve as a baseline against which effects of visual disease can be measured.
Novel Functional Imaging For Age-related Macular Degeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$564,848.00
Summary
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition which affects the central retina (the macula) resulting in a loss of central vision. The lack of appropriate clinical tests to monitor the progression of AMD at the early stages of disease hampers the discovery of novel interventions aimed at preventing the development of advanced vision-threatening AMD. In this project, we will investigate the use of a quick and non-invasive imaging technique for monitoring AMD progression.
Novel Mechanisms Of Early Age Related Macular Degeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$933,953.00
Summary
Age Related Macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in Australia. In this project we will examine a novel mechanism by which the cells at the back of the eye, called retinal pigment eptihelial cells contribute to vision loss early in the disease. In addition we will examine the potential for two currently used drugs as well as a novel laser treatment in slowing the progression of disease.
We will investigate changes in the retina secondary to disease process and try and modify them to allow a longer time frame for intervention. These changes (remodelling) are detrimental to visual function and the effectiveness of measures aimed at restoring vision, eg, bionic eye.
Role Of Dendritic Information Processing In Visual Circuit Computations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$895,244.00
Summary
Vision is the primary sensory modality in man, and its disturbance carries an enormous socio-economic burden. The dynamic operations of the neuronal assemblies that underlie vision are poorly understood, partly because of an incomplete description of the computational properties of visual neuronal circuits. The aims of the application are to mechanistically dissect defined computational operations of visual neural circuits using advanced electrophysiological and optical recording techniques.
A Fibroin-based Prosthetic Bruch's Membrane For The Treatment Of Age-related Macular Degeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$538,080.00
Summary
Our aim is to develop a new therapy for the treatment of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in our ageing population. The novelty of our therapy resides in using a protein derived from silk fibers (fibroin), to rebuild a healthy barrier between the outermost layer of the retina and adjacent blood vessels. We expect that the findings from this study will eventually lead to better outcomes for patients with AMD.
Brain Pathways Serving Conscious And Sub-conscious Vision
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$571,444.00
Summary
In humans and other primates the visual system comprises evolutionary new pathways (called magnocellular or M, and parvocellular or P) superimposed on evolutionary old pathways (called koniocellular or K). These parallel pathways carry visual information from the retina, through a brain centre in the thalamus called lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), to the cerebral neocortex. Our aim is to study the role of the K pathway in visual processing.
A Nanosecond Laser Based Surgical Treatment To Prevent Progression To Vision Loss In Early Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$813,481.00
Summary
We aim to conduct a trial of a new nano-laser based treatment for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) which, if successful in slowing progression of AMD, will lead to a dramatic reduction in vision loss in our community. AMD is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in people 50 years and older in Australia. The successful outcome will postpone vision loss, benefiting many thousands of Australians, and result in substantial healthcare savings.
The Role Of Gliosis In Advanced Retinal Degeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,785.00
Summary
The development of treatments that restore vision assumes that the output neurons of the retina remain intact. Yet, there is now considerable evidence that the neurons that signal from the retina to the brain are altered in those that have degenerative diseases of the retina. Here, we will examine the cause of these cellular changes in an animal model and seek to prevent the loss of output neurons. This information is crucial for the development of treatments that seeks to restore vision.
Understanding the structure of the human retina is important for understanding normal visual function. The goal of this study is to supply data on the distribution, density and connectivity of nerve cells in the human retina. Our study will provide a foundation for areas of clinical investigation of the human retina.