Localising Epileptic Discharges In The Brain Using Non-invasive Electro-magnetic Signal Analysis In Patients With Difficult-to-control Epilepsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$179,782.00
Summary
Epilepsy is a leading cause of chronic morbidity in Australia. A fundamental problem in clinical practice is the accurate identification of the 'hotspot' zone in the brain that is generating epileptic discharges. These discharges can be detected non-invasively (over the scalp) and analysed with electro-encephalographic and magneto-encephalographic source localisation (EMSL) techniques. EMSL is not used in routine clinical practice because we await a large scale prospective study (the aim of this ....Epilepsy is a leading cause of chronic morbidity in Australia. A fundamental problem in clinical practice is the accurate identification of the 'hotspot' zone in the brain that is generating epileptic discharges. These discharges can be detected non-invasively (over the scalp) and analysed with electro-encephalographic and magneto-encephalographic source localisation (EMSL) techniques. EMSL is not used in routine clinical practice because we await a large scale prospective study (the aim of this proposal).Read moreRead less
Development Of Novel Biomarkers For Closed Loop Deep Brain Stimulation In The Management Of Parkinson’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is established therapy in advanced Parkinson’s disease, when medications are less efficient. We aim to identify biomarkers that correlate with symptom state, allowing tailoring of DBS to individual patient’s needs. This will potentially improve symptom control, device efficiency and quality of life, increasing the pool of patients suitable for DBS. Novel DBS systems will build technical expertise and expand Australia’s role in the medical device industry.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100778
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,000.00
Summary
Mapping the neural circuits that underlie emotional learning. This project aims to understand the precise neural circuits that mediate the formation of emotional memories. Recent findings have identified a novel complexity in these circuits and the goal of this proposal is to resolve the underlying mechanism that drives emotional memories. In detail, this project will combine state of the art dual- optical stimulation techniques combined with behaviour-dependent tagging of neurons to investigate ....Mapping the neural circuits that underlie emotional learning. This project aims to understand the precise neural circuits that mediate the formation of emotional memories. Recent findings have identified a novel complexity in these circuits and the goal of this proposal is to resolve the underlying mechanism that drives emotional memories. In detail, this project will combine state of the art dual- optical stimulation techniques combined with behaviour-dependent tagging of neurons to investigate the precise brain circuits linked to emotional learning, an approach that also allows knowledge transfer to other research fields. Expected outcomes and benefits of the project is a significant shift in our understanding of the neural mechanisms that underlie emotional learning.Read moreRead less
GPR88 As A Novel Target For Fronto-striatal Dysfunction In Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$606,966.00
Summary
GPR88 is a protein that is specifically found in the striatum, one of the main brain regions involved in schizophrenia. Studies in mice have showed that GPR88 may have a role in learning and memory; our early studies show that GPR88 controls the activity of a population of cells in the striatum. This project will determine the mechanism by which GPR88 controls the function of the striatum and how this translates into regulating brain circuitry and learning and memory relevant to schizophrenia.
Next Generation Brain-Machine Interface: Minimally-Invasive Endovascular Stent-Electrode Array For Robotic Limb Control
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,735,574.00
Summary
Persons affected by quadriplegia and hemiplegia from stroke and spinal cord injury have few treatment options. Brain Machine Interfaces (BMIs) reconnect brain to a prosthetic limb, bypassing damaged nervous system. Our group has developed a BMI that can be implanted minimally-invasively, inside a blood vessel within the brain. We propose to evaluate this device in animal studies, and continue on to a human clinical trial pilot study. The aim is to restore mechanical control over the physical env ....Persons affected by quadriplegia and hemiplegia from stroke and spinal cord injury have few treatment options. Brain Machine Interfaces (BMIs) reconnect brain to a prosthetic limb, bypassing damaged nervous system. Our group has developed a BMI that can be implanted minimally-invasively, inside a blood vessel within the brain. We propose to evaluate this device in animal studies, and continue on to a human clinical trial pilot study. The aim is to restore mechanical control over the physical environment for a paralysed patient.Read moreRead less
Epileptic convulsions are common, disrupt social life and may occasionally cause death. They can occur spontaneously in individuals whose brains appear to be physically normal. Apart from the fact that epilepsy may run in families, the processes leading to spontaneous convulsions are not known. We measure the brain's electrical rhythms (EEG) to find out which rhythms are disturbed in people with epilepsy and whether these rhythms disrupt the brain to cause attacks. In preliminary studies in pati ....Epileptic convulsions are common, disrupt social life and may occasionally cause death. They can occur spontaneously in individuals whose brains appear to be physically normal. Apart from the fact that epilepsy may run in families, the processes leading to spontaneous convulsions are not known. We measure the brain's electrical rhythms (EEG) to find out which rhythms are disturbed in people with epilepsy and whether these rhythms disrupt the brain to cause attacks. In preliminary studies in patients with generalised epilepsy, we have identified abnormally strong rhythms that are almost certainly related to epilepsy causation and our studies are in part aimed at making our findings into a diagnostic test. Our findings may even enable individuals with epilepsy to test themselves for their immediate risk of seizure. Both of these outcomes should enable improved treatment for epilepsy. In addition to benefits in epilepsy, there are potential benefits in the diagnosis of cerebral degenerative disorders if changes in the rhythms also occur in these conditions.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of itch - from endosomal signalling to neural circuits. This project aims to investigate the cellular and circuit mechanisms of itch transmission in the spinal cord by defining the activation and propagation of itch-specific signals. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of neuronal signalling and circuitry using novel electrophysiological approaches that target and manipulate specific nerves and cellular components. The project will characterise signalling within ....Mechanisms of itch - from endosomal signalling to neural circuits. This project aims to investigate the cellular and circuit mechanisms of itch transmission in the spinal cord by defining the activation and propagation of itch-specific signals. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of neuronal signalling and circuitry using novel electrophysiological approaches that target and manipulate specific nerves and cellular components. The project will characterise signalling within specific spinal subcircuits in order to understand the mechanisms of receptor activation and signalling, and investigate how circuit activity is regulated. This project expects to advance fundamental understanding of itch signalling in the nervous system and provide avenues for future therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Molecular neurobiology of the GABAB receptor: Studies of heteromeric receptor function and signalling. The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) for the inhibitory transmitter gamma- aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a unique heterodimer. Molecular analyses will be undertaken to provide insights into its signalling mechanisms and functional regulation. Investigations employing point mutant and chimeric receptors will analyse how ligand binding to the extracellular domain of the GABA-BR1 subunit triggers ....Molecular neurobiology of the GABAB receptor: Studies of heteromeric receptor function and signalling. The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) for the inhibitory transmitter gamma- aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a unique heterodimer. Molecular analyses will be undertaken to provide insights into its signalling mechanisms and functional regulation. Investigations employing point mutant and chimeric receptors will analyse how ligand binding to the extracellular domain of the GABA-BR1 subunit triggers G protein-coupling to the intracellular portion of the GABA-BR2 subunit. Focus will be on different modes of GPCR signalling, including constitutive activity and roles for membrane and cytosolic regulatory proteins. Targeted studies of GABAB receptor subunits will provide new information on the mechanistic regulation of GPCR signalling.Read moreRead less
Systemic regulation of neuronal circuits in cognition and behaviour. This project aims to understand systemic regulation of behaviour and cognition in the central nervous system (CNS). The adrenal gland (AG) is an endocrine organ that regulates behaviour and cognition, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulatory axis between the CNS and AG are poorly understood. The AG selectively and highly expresses p38, a member of the MAP kinase family, while mice that lack p38 suffer memory and b ....Systemic regulation of neuronal circuits in cognition and behaviour. This project aims to understand systemic regulation of behaviour and cognition in the central nervous system (CNS). The adrenal gland (AG) is an endocrine organ that regulates behaviour and cognition, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulatory axis between the CNS and AG are poorly understood. The AG selectively and highly expresses p38, a member of the MAP kinase family, while mice that lack p38 suffer memory and behavioural deficits. This project will study p38’s role in systemic CNS function. It aims to understand brain function and systemic regulation of cognition and behaviour, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of brain function and paving the way for new preventive treatments and medical care strategies.Read moreRead less
Novel cellular functions of the microtubule-associated protein tau: Physiological and pathological implications. The social and economic burden of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is enormous, and by 2040 more than 500,000 Australians will suffer from this disease. A key histopathological hallmark of this and many other related diseases are insoluble deposits of the protein tau. Research into novel functions of tau in signalling and transport (both of which are heavily compromised in diseased brains) wi ....Novel cellular functions of the microtubule-associated protein tau: Physiological and pathological implications. The social and economic burden of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is enormous, and by 2040 more than 500,000 Australians will suffer from this disease. A key histopathological hallmark of this and many other related diseases are insoluble deposits of the protein tau. Research into novel functions of tau in signalling and transport (both of which are heavily compromised in diseased brains) will be followed directly by assay development for tau-directed drug screening. The national benefit of this research is manifold by (a) patenting new data, (b) developing treatment strategies for an un-curable disease, and (c) establishing links to the growing Australian biotech industry (in addition to existing links to international pharmaceutical companies).Read moreRead less