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.
A Comparative Study Between The Effects Of C-terminally Truncated A-synuclein Metabolites And Full Length A-synuclein In Aged Rat Hippocampal Neurons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$231,284.00
Summary
I am a neurologist from Xi�an Jiaotong University, China. My major research interest is in neurodegenerative diseases, especially Parkinson and Alzheimer�s disease. I enter this field because I know ageing population will have an enormous impact on the world�s economy. I started collaboration with Dr. Weiping Gai in Flinders University. We are interested in the toxic effects of both a-synuclein and its metabolites, their mechanisms and ways to block them.
The Functional Interplay Between Alpha Synuclein And Synaptophysin In Synaptic Vesicle Recycling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,461.00
Summary
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting 7 million people worldwide. ?-synuclein is a protein in that brain that is likely to contribute to the death of brain cells 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 the processes that go awry in neurodegenerative disease states such as PD.
The Role Of PARK9 And Autophagy In Parkinson's Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,198.00
Summary
With an ageing population, the health burdens of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD) are numerous. We have found a role for a PD suspectibility gene, PARK9, in autophagy- a neuroprotective degradative pathway, that may also be involved in keeping ÎSyn, a pivitol protein in PD, levels in check.
Glutamate is one of the major neurotransmitters in the brain. It plays a very important role in most brain functions such as the ability to learn and the development of memory, but the lack of control of glutamate concentrations in the brain also underlies many pathological changes that cause neurological disorders such Alzheimer's disease, disability following a stroke, motor neurone disease and Parkinson's disease. These diseases place an enormous social and economic burden on society and in o ....Glutamate is one of the major neurotransmitters in the brain. It plays a very important role in most brain functions such as the ability to learn and the development of memory, but the lack of control of glutamate concentrations in the brain also underlies many pathological changes that cause neurological disorders such Alzheimer's disease, disability following a stroke, motor neurone disease and Parkinson's disease. These diseases place an enormous social and economic burden on society and in order to better understand and treat these diseases it is important to understand some of the fundamental biochemical processes that underlie both normal and pathogical functions of the key neurotransmitter glutamate. This project will investigate how the concentrations of glutamate are tightly regulated to maintain normal brain function and also to avoid the potentially pathological consequences when these control mechanisms fail.Read moreRead less