Regulation Of Synaptic Vesicle Biogenesis For Synaptic Transmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,115.00
Summary
The overall aim is to better understand the molecular processes of nerve cell communication during learning, memory and abnormal brain activity that cause neurological diseases. The supply and generation (biogenesis) of synaptic vesicles (SVs) in nerve cells is critical to sustain neurotransmission. It requires complex protein interactions and signalling. Thus modulation of SV biogenesis at the molecular level will allows future development of new targeted treatments for neurological diseases.
Investigation Of The Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Alpha Synuclein Function At The Presynapse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a common brain disease affecting 7 million people worldwide. It is caused by the death of brain cells. ?-synuclein is a protein in that brain that is likely to contribute to the cell death in PD, but the normal role of the protein remains unknown. This study will investigate the function of ?-synuclein in maintaining normal healthy brain activity. In addition, this work will help us understand how normal brain processes are affected in diseases such as PD.
Impact Of Somatic Versus Dendritic Inhibition On Neuronal Output
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,047,686.00
Summary
The brain is made up of literally billions of neurons connected in complex networks. These neurons come in two primary flavors - excitatory and inhibitory - which work in balance. Too much excitation and the brain becomes epileptic, too much inhibitory and we go into a coma. This proposal focuses on the role of specific inhibitory cell types in regulating brain function, and has relevant to a range of neurological disorders from epilepsy, to schizophrenia to depression.
A DENDRITIC SUBSTRATE FOR THE CHOLINERGIC CONTROL OF NEOCORTICAL OUTPUT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$898,340.00
Summary
The forebrain cholinergic system controls neocortical activity and cognitive function. This project will investigate the mechanisms by which the cholinergic system controls neocortical circuit activity in rodent models using advanced optical and electrical recording methods. The results will provide a foundation for the understanding of how dysfunction of the cholinergic system results in cognitive decline in humans, and identify new targets for improved treatment of human cognitive impairment.
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.
Inhibitory Signalling Switches Define The Machinery Of Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
The nerve cells in our brains are in constant communication to sustain life. Communication involves one nerve cell responding to electrical stimulation by releasing chemical messengers, from vesicles, onto the next cell. Our research focuses on the mechanism of recycling of vesicles. Targeting this mechanism is a way to gain fundamental knowledge of how to intervene medically when communication fails, or when communication needs to be dampened, in neurological diseases.
Synaptic Integration And Plasticity In The Rat Piriform Cortex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,500.00
Summary
The human cerebral cortex is the pinnacle of evolution. It is the most complex structure known, responsible for all of those skills - like language and reasoning - that make our species so remarkable. It is also a major site of many brain diseases, like schizophrenia and epilepsy. An understanding of how the cerebral cortex works would be a remarkable achievement, of immeasurable benefit to human health. How can one go about studying such a complex structure? The strategy taken in this project i ....The human cerebral cortex is the pinnacle of evolution. It is the most complex structure known, responsible for all of those skills - like language and reasoning - that make our species so remarkable. It is also a major site of many brain diseases, like schizophrenia and epilepsy. An understanding of how the cerebral cortex works would be a remarkable achievement, of immeasurable benefit to human health. How can one go about studying such a complex structure? The strategy taken in this project is to begin by studying one of the simplest regions of the cerebral cortex, the olfactory (or piriform) cortex. The olfactory cortex is an evolutionarily ancient region of cortex, with a simpler architecture than other cortical regions. Its task is to process the sense of smell, a primitive sense that is more elaborated in lower animals than in humans. The broad goal of our research is to understand, by studying the olfactory cortex of rats, how olfactory processing occurs at the level of nerve cells (neurons). We will use a number of powerful techniques - including microelectrode recording and laser microscopy - to measure the electrical properties of individual neurons. We will also study the synaptic connections between neurons, and how these connections change following memory-inducing stimuli. It is hoped that this work will shed light on how the healthy cortex is able to process and store information, and how brain diseases cause these functions to deteriorate.Read moreRead less
IDENTIFICATION AND FUNCTION OF RECEPTORS ON SYMPATHETIC TERMINAL SCHWANN CELLS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$235,500.00
Summary
The terminals of sympathetic nerves control many of the internal organs. Pharmacological intervention to promote or antagonize the effects of these terminals is very important in a number of different disease states of the autonomic nervous system. The present research proposal sets out to determine the way in which glial cells that partly envelop these terminals control their capacity to function.
A Potential Analgesic Target In A Novel Clinically-relevant Neuropathic Pain Pathway.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$685,811.00
Summary
Persistent pain arising from tissue damage, to nerves, muscles or joints for example, is devastating for patients and a huge social and economic burden. This work will investigate one of the pathways that goes awry after sensory nerves are damaged. These experiments will also test whether a drug being developed to treat Alzheimer's disease is effective at blocking the persistent nerve hypersensitivity that sometimes develops after injury.