Characterising Post Stroke Neuroplasticity In Humans – Identifying A Critical Window For Rehabilitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$764,419.00
Summary
Despite major investment in care for stroke patients, almost all have persisting disability. Stroke causes loss of brain cells that cannot be replaced. Some recovery is possible through compensatory mechanisms. In addition, intact cells around the stroke undergo growth that is critical for recovery. Animal studies suggest these changes take place in a “critical window” after stroke. Applying therapies in this window should improve outcomes. We will use novel approaches to define the “critical wi ....Despite major investment in care for stroke patients, almost all have persisting disability. Stroke causes loss of brain cells that cannot be replaced. Some recovery is possible through compensatory mechanisms. In addition, intact cells around the stroke undergo growth that is critical for recovery. Animal studies suggest these changes take place in a “critical window” after stroke. Applying therapies in this window should improve outcomes. We will use novel approaches to define the “critical window” in patients after strokeRead moreRead less
Mechanisms Underlying Impaired Neuroplasticity In Adolescents Born Preterm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$528,449.00
Summary
Preterm birth can lead to learning and motor deficits. We have preliminary evidence that these deficits last into adolescence and are due to a limited ability of the brain to reorganise (plasticity). We will confirm and characterise the learning/motor deficits seen in adolescents born preterm and explore if impaired plasticity is responsible. This project will provide vital information for the development of novel interventions to help children born prematurely to achieve best outcomes.
Mimicking Slow Wave Sleep To Enhance Plasticity In The Elderly Human Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,461.00
Summary
Cognitive and motor impairments associated with ageing have a major social and economic impact. This project will address a major driver of this decline. Brain functional decline is causally linked to poor sleep. Using non-invasive brain stimulation aspects of sleep important for maintaining cognitive and motor function will be mimicked, without the need for people to sleep. This will provide a new means to boost plasticity, and will assist in improving brain health throughout life.
Do Ongoing Cognitive Demands Affect The Efficacy Of Transcranial Electrical Brain Stimulation In Young And Older Healthy Adults?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$627,857.00
Summary
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the brain is widely used to enhance cognitive and motor function in healthy individuals and people with neurological disorders. Unfortunately, the efficacy of tDCS is highly variable between individuals. This project tests the hypothesis that ongoing cognitive processes – particularly attention – play an important role in regulating the effect of tDCS on brain function. The knowledge gained will help refine tDCS as a clinical and research tool.
The Mechanisms Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Translational Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,263.00
Summary
Non-invasive brain stimulation is increasingly being used as a possible therapeutic intervention. The physiological mechanisms underlying the behavioural change are largely unknown. The project will use both human and rodent models to determine the structural brain changes that occur in response to non-invasive stimulation.
The Role Of Attention In Modifying Neural Plasticity In The Adult Human Cortex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,242.00
Summary
The human brain is constantly changing in response to experience. These changes, known as plasticity, are necessary to respond to new environments, to learn new skills and to recover from brain injury. This project will determine how selective attention, a process that filters sensory information in the brain, alters brain plasticity. The outcomes will inform the design of rehabilitation treatments for individuals with a brain injury.
Accelerated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation In The Treatment Of Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$488,098.00
Summary
rTMS is a new treatment for depression progressively being utilized in clinical practice. However, response to rTMS treatment is usually slow with treatment courses taking over 4-6 weeks. In the current study we will evaluate the efficacy of an accelerated from of rTMS administration: a course of intensive treatment being applied over a 3 day period.
Measurement Of Residual Nervous System Function After Spinal Cord Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$779,159.00
Summary
Multiple serial physiological recording techniques will be used to assess sensory and motor function for 12 months after spinal cord injury. This detailed information will provide, for the first time, an insight into the changes, both beneficial and deleterious, in the sensory and motor systems over time. Such information may enable changes in the management of people with spinal cord injury to prevent deleterious effects on the nervous system and enhance function.
Application Of Intelligent Conducting Polymers For Treating Schizophrenia And Allied Disorders Focusing On Neuronal Outgrowth, Myelination And Synaptogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$698,314.00
Summary
This project involves cross-disciplinary collaboration between researchers at the forefront of materials engineering, nanotechnology, neural pathology, human stem cell biology and mental health disciplines. We will use a nanodevice to apply electrical stimuli and growth factors to improve brain function in schizophrenia and allied disorders.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder, with one Australian dying from ALS every day. The mechanisms underlying the development of ALS remain to be determined. Using a novel neurophysiological technique, it is envisaged that the current proposal will establish that ALS begins in the brain and is mediated by cortical hyperexcitability. Further, a diagnostic test for ALS will be developed ensuring earlier diagnosis and institution of treatment.