A Mechanistic Approach To Therapy Development For Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Using Small And Large Animal Models Of Concussion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$492,844.00
Summary
Repeated concussion in athletes has recently been associated with the development of a neurodegenerative disorder known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). While the neuropathology seems to be well characterised, the mechanisms associated with CTE development are not. This proposal will demonstrate that mechanically induced release of the neurotransmitter substance P accounts for much of the neuropathology in CTE, and will develop a novel therapy that will prevent such development.
Determining Neuronal Connections Involved In Parkinson's Disease And Cocaine Addiction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$343,300.00
Summary
Addictive behaviours in response to cocaine use and fine motor coordination that is affected in Parkinson's disease are both controlled by the same type of cells/neurons, i.e., dopamine neurons. However, the circuitry of these neurons varies from where they originate and the type of connections they make. By understanding the neuronal circuitry of these two circuitries in concert we will be able to gain important insight into their roles in adaptive and pathological brain function.
Models of adolescent drug use and its consequences. Recent concerns surround the impact of drug abuse - particularly binge drinking, inhalant abuse and cannabis use - on the mental health of adolescents. Early drug use is associated with mental health problems although the mechanisms involved are not well characterised. The present proposal aims to use animal models to characterise substance abuse that occurs during the adolescent period and to investigate its effects on brain and behaviour. Inc ....Models of adolescent drug use and its consequences. Recent concerns surround the impact of drug abuse - particularly binge drinking, inhalant abuse and cannabis use - on the mental health of adolescents. Early drug use is associated with mental health problems although the mechanisms involved are not well characterised. The present proposal aims to use animal models to characterise substance abuse that occurs during the adolescent period and to investigate its effects on brain and behaviour. Increasing our knowledge of the causes and consequences of adolescent drug abuse will improve Australia's ability to confront this problem and to develop early interventions and treatments that minimise associated harms.Read moreRead less
Age-dependent effects of cannabinoids on emotion, cognition and vulnerablity to addiction. Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia so understanding the effects of this drug is of great importance. There is little of no basic research on cannabis currently occurring in Australia. Yet such research is critical in resolving the ambiguities and difficulties inherent in our understanding of the drug. The importance of increasing our understanding of the long-term effects of the dr ....Age-dependent effects of cannabinoids on emotion, cognition and vulnerablity to addiction. Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia so understanding the effects of this drug is of great importance. There is little of no basic research on cannabis currently occurring in Australia. Yet such research is critical in resolving the ambiguities and difficulties inherent in our understanding of the drug. The importance of increasing our understanding of the long-term effects of the drug on young developing brains is particularly evident. The information gained in the current project will serve to inform medical and scientific communities, government policy makers, as well as the broader Australian community. Read moreRead less
Toll Like Receptor signalling as a mediator of sex differences in pain, opioid and alcohol action. Brain immunology will be examined in this project to see if the signalling of a receptor called Toll Like Receptor 4 can explain sex differences in pain, and the action of pain killers and alcohol. These findings will have significant implications on the understanding of male and female brains, and will assist in the design of new drugs to treat brain and spinal cord diseases.
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL0992409
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,996,243.00
Summary
The neural bases of decision-making. This research focuses on the neural bases of decision making, a general capacity affected by normal ageing, disorders associated with neurodegeneration including dementia, major psychiatric conditions and drug addiction. Changes in the neural systems that result in the cognitive and emotional dissociation reflected in these disorders constitute the highest health, economic and social capital attrition burden to Australia of any disease group, a burden that is ....The neural bases of decision-making. This research focuses on the neural bases of decision making, a general capacity affected by normal ageing, disorders associated with neurodegeneration including dementia, major psychiatric conditions and drug addiction. Changes in the neural systems that result in the cognitive and emotional dissociation reflected in these disorders constitute the highest health, economic and social capital attrition burden to Australia of any disease group, a burden that is only predicted to increase as the population ages. Understanding these changes in neural systems and their specific behavioural effects is, therefore, of critical importance and will ultimately provide new targets for treatment and rehabilitation.Read moreRead less
Determinants of Expression, Assembly and Function of the Noradrenaline Transporter. The noradrenaline transporter protein that is the focus of this project is important for mental health because it belongs to the family of proteins where psychostimulants, such as cocaine, and drugs used in the treatment of depression act. The project will lead to exciting advances in our understanding of how the structure of this protein controls its functions, and potentially to the design of better antidepress ....Determinants of Expression, Assembly and Function of the Noradrenaline Transporter. The noradrenaline transporter protein that is the focus of this project is important for mental health because it belongs to the family of proteins where psychostimulants, such as cocaine, and drugs used in the treatment of depression act. The project will lead to exciting advances in our understanding of how the structure of this protein controls its functions, and potentially to the design of better antidepressant drugs and to the design of drugs to prevent the effects of cocaine.Read moreRead less
The central nucleus of the amygdala and alcohol-seeking behaviour. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism is a significant problem in Australia (and throughout the world). However, pharmacological interventions remain limited due to our poor understanding of the neural networks underlying addictive processes. These experiments will explain how the positive rewarding and negative reinforcing aspects of alcohol are transduced within the brain. We believe that our research will facilitate the ability to trea ....The central nucleus of the amygdala and alcohol-seeking behaviour. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism is a significant problem in Australia (and throughout the world). However, pharmacological interventions remain limited due to our poor understanding of the neural networks underlying addictive processes. These experiments will explain how the positive rewarding and negative reinforcing aspects of alcohol are transduced within the brain. We believe that our research will facilitate the ability to treat alcoholism at a pharmacological level, enabling the continuation of abstinence or the prevention of relapse, while allowing other factors such as social support structure and coping skills to be developed for each individual, with flow-on social and economic benefits for society as a whole. Read moreRead less
Action-related learning and plasticity in the cortico-striatal network. This project focuses on the neural bases of adaptive behaviour, specifically on the neural processes through which new actions are acquired. This project aims to establish the neural networks involved as well as the locus of the critical cellular plasticity mediating this learning process in the brain.
An inability to resist a temptation or repeated failures of self-regulation can lead to 'impulsive' and 'compulsive' behaviours that relate to a host of personal and social problems (eg., excessive eating, gambling, and substance use). Despite this, very little research has studied the neural and psychological underpinnings of these behaviours. My research will take advantage of recent innovations and approaches to fill this void and have implications for diagnosis and treatment.