Improving Human FMRI Through Modeling And Imaging Microvascular Dynamics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,144.00
Summary
In this project we aim to establish a reliable vascular baseline to improve mapping of both small-scale functional architecture and large-scale brain networks in functional human brain mapping using MRI. By mapping the grey matter vasculature with high detail in both humans and animals, and by computing and matching of these atlases across species we will be able to validate this approach in vivo to confirm the better spatial specificity of the newly developed approach.
Development Of Ultrahigh Resolution Brain Imaging For Investigating Neurological And Neurodegenerative Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$880,454.00
Summary
Understanding the structural and functional organisation of the human brain is the focus of enormous research effort. Neuroimaging is an extraordinarily important basic and clinical neuroscience discipline, and is unique in being able to provide direct in vivo measurements of the human brain, and crucially in individuals with brain and mind diseases. This research project will develop and utilise ultra-high resolution brain scanning to understand the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases.
Identifying Neuroanatomical Sub-phenotypes Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$60,129.00
Summary
The clinical presentation of schizophrenia is varied across individuals, and has arguably hindered efforts to determine its cause/s. This project seeks to address this issue by investigating biological commonality in patients, to identify subgroups of schizophrenia patients with similar brain abnormalities, with the overall aim to examine cognitive and clinical characteristics and candidate genetic markers in association with biologically derived subtypes of schizophrenia.
Identifying Brain Pathways Responsible For Stress Induced Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$895,663.00
Summary
Obesity-associated diseases are leading causes of death and are expected to increase as the obesity epidemic worsens. New evidence also shows that stress, an ever-increasing factor of life, can when combined with high caloric food lead and accelerate the development of obesity. The results from this study will help to identify new agents that may help reduce body weight and fat mass particular under conditions of increased stress.
I use multidisciplinary and neuroimaging approaches to understand how the biochemistry of the brain affects how the brain functions in health and disease. This basic science underpins treatment approaches and furthers our understanding of a wide range of brain disorders.
Detection And Manipulation Of Neuronal Activities With A Synthetic Optogenetic Activity-reporting Transcription System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,012.00
Summary
Functional brain mapping is important for understanding mental illnesses such as depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders and post-traumatic stress disorders. Current techniques for functional brain mapping are limited and not suitable for large-scale studies. The proposed project will generate new tools that can be used to map activated neurocircuitry in laboratory model organisms and will enhance our ability to design effective treatments for mental illnesses.
ASPREE- NEURO; Aspirin And Cerebral Microhaemorrhages
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$989,195.00
Summary
Cerebral Microhaemorrhages (CMH) are tiny areas of blood vessel breakdown commonly found on brain MRIs in the elderly. Their clinical significance is not clear- prior studies have linked them to use of blood thinning medications, cognitive decline and risk of stroke. This randomised controlled trial will determine whether low dose aspirin increases the number of CMH on brain MRI in the healthy elderly after 1 and 3 years, and whether the number and location of CMH affects cognitive function.
Development Of A Scorpion Toxin For Tumour Imaging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$529,577.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to develop a tool for visualising tumours during surgery. Surgical removal of tumours remains the foundation of cancer treatment, but the ability to distinguish the margin between cancerous and healthy cells is imprecise. We will explore the potential of a scorpion toxin that selectively targets cancer cells, as a tumour imaging agent. This project has the potential to dramatically enhance patient survival as a result of improving treatments for cancer.