Immediate Cooling And Emergency Decompression (ICED) For The Treatment Of Spinal Cord Injury: Pilot, Safety And Feasibility Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,008.00
Summary
Victims of Spinal Cord Injury are young, have severe paralysis, complex needs and high lifetime costs. Although urgent surgery greatly improves outcome, it is difficult to achieve because of logistical difficulties. To expand the time window for early surgery, it is proposed to immediately cool patients. This project will conduct the pilot studies necessary before commencing a clinical trial of immediate cooling and emergency decompression (ICED) in patients with cervical spinal cord injuries.
Connectivity Of Regenerating Axons Following Spinal Cord Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,428.00
Summary
Our objective is to thoroughly investigate the connections made by regenerating nerve fibres in mice which are treated with specific compounds to inhibit scarring as well as with active exercise following spinal cord injury. This will provide evidence of the potential of these compounds as a therapeutic intervention. Understanding how the nervous system rewires following exercise intervention will provide insights as to how new connections can be shaped to ensure optimal recovery of function.
Effectiveness Of Ghrelin Receptor Agonists To Limit The Extent Of Tissue Damage Caused By Traumatic Injury To The Central Nervous System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,002.00
Summary
Ghrelin is a naturally occurring compound that under adverse conditions can activate specific receptors on cells around the body to enhance their survival. These receptors are also present in the spinal cord, but ghrelin doesn't enter the spinal cord. We will investigate a new group of compounds that can enter the spinal cord and activate these receptors to see if this can reduce the amount of damage that occurs after a spinal cord injury. Less tissue damage would mean less permanent disability.
Roles Of Peripherally Derived BDNF In Regeneration Of Spinal Cord And The Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$472,770.00
Summary
Injury to the brain and spinal cord often leads to permanent disability due to lack of regeneration. The mechanism why central nerve does not regenerate is not known. Neurotrophic factors are powerful molecules which can overcome effects of inhibitory factors on regeneration. This project aims to investigate how neurotrophic factors override the effects of inhibitory factors and how to improve the regeneration by increasing the production of neurotrophic factors within nerves. Successful complet ....Injury to the brain and spinal cord often leads to permanent disability due to lack of regeneration. The mechanism why central nerve does not regenerate is not known. Neurotrophic factors are powerful molecules which can overcome effects of inhibitory factors on regeneration. This project aims to investigate how neurotrophic factors override the effects of inhibitory factors and how to improve the regeneration by increasing the production of neurotrophic factors within nerves. Successful completion of this project will help understanding the mechanism of how neurotrophic factors work on regeneration and developing the effective way to improve regeneration of the injured spinal cord.Read moreRead less
Promoting Recovery After Neurotrauma: Basic Science, Clinical Trials And Community Engagement
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$356,269.00
Summary
To promote recovery after neurotrauma by controlling the spread of damage and by maximising function in surviving circuits. The work involves animal models & nanotechnology as well as clinical rehabilitation trials in humans with spinal cord injury.
Hypothermia Prior To Decompression For Treatment Of Acute Spinal Cord Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,163.00
Summary
In spinal cord injuries, the cord is compressed as a result of vertebral injury. Urgent relief of compression improves outcome, however, is difficult because of the complexity of pre-surgical management. Our data demonstrate that hypothermia stops compressive spinal cord injury, allowing decompression to be performed in a period that will benefit most patients. This project aims to undertake the studies necessary before beginning a human trial of hypothermia prior to decompressive surgery.
The Role Of Presynaptic Inhibition In Neuropathic Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,045.00
Summary
Inhibitory nerve cells in the spinal cord are thought to play an important role in governing the interaction between painful and non-painful stimuli. Defects in this process underlie allodynia, an important symptom of neuropathic pain. We will use recent advances in genetic techniques (optogenetics) to manipulate and study how inhibitory nerve cells separate touch and pain signalling in the spinal cord of normal and neuropathic animals.
Excitatory Interneurons: A Sensory Amplifier For Pathological Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$649,848.00
Summary
Changes to the nervous system during pathological pain remain poorly understood. This poses a barrier to new and more effective pain therapies. We have recently shown that a population of excitatory nerve cells, which express a protein called calretinin, form an amplifier network within the spinal cord that enhances pain signalling. This application will determine how calretinin-positive nerve cells contribute to pathological pain and can subsequently be targeted to provide pain relief.