Role Of The Medial Amygdala In Developing Neurogenic Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
We aim to investigate the underlying mechanisms and pathways that regulate the activity of neurons located in the medial amgydala during stress that contribute long term to the development of hypertension. This study is highly relevant to people who inappropriately respond to typical daily stressors and we aim to provide direction for developing specific therapies to interrupt the adverse cardiovascular consequences of chronic stress.
Network Interactions Between Cardiovascular Control Neurons In The Brainstem Underlie Sympathetic Tone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$268,328.00
Summary
High blood pressure is a very significant risk factor for many common cardiovascular diseases. Blood pressure is normally tightly regulated by groups of neurons in the brainstem; although we know that this part of the brain becomes dysfunctional in patients with high blood pressure, we do not understand why. We have recently discovered that cardiovascular control neurons can influence each other. The project will determine the effect of such communication in the control of blood pressure.
Control Of Sympathetic Nerves That Talk To The Immune System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,958.00
Summary
The two complex systems of the body, the immune system and the nervous system, communicate with each other. This proposal studies one of the major pathways from brain to immune system - sympathetic immuno-efferent nerves. In stroke, these pathways cause profound immunosuppression, causing susceptibility to infection. Their poorly understood central and peripheral pathways will be defined and mapped by this study.
Light, Sound And Touch Influence The Autonomic Nervous System Via A Non-canonical Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$329,666.00
Summary
We examine a recently discovered brain circuit through which visual and acoustic stimuli can interact with the neural systems that control breathing, blood pressure and heart rate. The outcomes of this project will characterise a pathway by which the external environment can interrupt the normal activity of systems vital for health and wellbeing independent of cognition.
Central Nervous Pathways For The Sympathetic Control Of Immune Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,741.00
Summary
The nervous system regulates immune system function by a special set of nerves that are part of the sympathetic nervous system. This project aims to work out which brain pathways control them.
Understanding The Origins Of Neurogenic Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$668,914.00
Summary
Brain cells that control the cardiovascular system are thought to have stopped dividing by adulthood. We recently discovered that this is not the case. Our initial findings suggest that these nascent cells might be important for maintaining normal blood pressure. This work will allow us to elucidate the function of these nascent cells and how they integrate into the circuit that controls the cardiovascular system. Our findings will be fundamental for understanding diseases such as hypertension.
Diabetes Target Discovery And Drug Development In Mice And Primates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,501.00
Summary
1.7 million Australians have diabetes, only ½ are diagnosed, and the incidence is increasing. Diabetes imposes high economic and social costs in Australia and globally. Diabetes is often not well managed with current therapies, and there is a strong need for new drugs to treat diabetes. This research project will search for new drug targets, to develop better medicines to treat diabetes.
The Splanchnic Anti-inflammatory Pathway: The Real Inflammatory Reflex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,466.00
Summary
The brain strongly influences immune function through a neural reflex: the inflammatory reflex. This reflex was recently revised and a new model for its efferent arm, in stark contrast with the existing version, was proposed: the motor pathway of this reflex is purely sympathetic and travels through the splanchnic nerves. The aim of this project is to define the peripheral and central neural pathway of this reflex. Future improvements in health and medical knowledge will follow