An FMRI Analysis Of The Functional Organization Within The Brain Of Experimental Superficial And Deep Orofacial Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,526.00
Summary
This project will investigate how the human brain processes a number of important aspects of human jaw muscle pain that are clinically relevant but poorly understood. For example, we do not understand why jaw muscle pain has such different behavioural effects to skin pain. Jaw muscle pain is associated with a significant emotional component not seen in with skin pains. Also, skin pain usually has a sharp or burning quality, is well-localized and is readily treated, while jaw muscle pain is a dee ....This project will investigate how the human brain processes a number of important aspects of human jaw muscle pain that are clinically relevant but poorly understood. For example, we do not understand why jaw muscle pain has such different behavioural effects to skin pain. Jaw muscle pain is associated with a significant emotional component not seen in with skin pains. Also, skin pain usually has a sharp or burning quality, is well-localized and is readily treated, while jaw muscle pain is a deep pain that has a dull, aching quality that may be referred to related sites of the face, head and neck. It is also not known why jaw muscle pain is more common in females in comparison to males. Chronic jaw muscle pain is a major symptom of patients with Temporomandibular Disorders, the most common form of non-dental orofacial pain and that involves pain in or about the jaw joint and-or jaw muscles, and often limitation of jaw movement. Chronic jaw muscle pain can have a severe effect on quality of life but its diagnosis and management is difficult. Despite the widespread prevalence of chronic orofacial pains, we have little information on the central processing of chronic human orofacial pain. This proposal will improve our fundamental understanding of how jaw muscle pain is processed in the brain. The way that the central nervous system processes and represents jaw muscle pain will help explain why these pains present differently in the clinic and should provide important information on the differences between females and males in the representation of jaw muscle pain. This information on the central processing of chronic orofacial pain is crucial to inform the direction of novel or specific management strategies. Our long-term goal is to improve the diagnosis and management of patients with Temporomandibular Disorders, and the present application represents a major new direction of research.Read moreRead less
The Nutritional Geometry Of Ageing In A Rodent Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$979,269.00
Summary
A central belief in ageing research is that eating fewer calories prolongs life, and that the source of calories (carbohydrate, fat or protein) is irrelevant. However, a critical assessment indicates that this conclusion is premature. We will use recent techniques in nutrition to define for the first time in mammals the relationship between diet and ageing in a normal and a prematurely ageing strain of mice. The project will provide a novel nutritional approach for promoting healthy ageing.
Mechanisms Of Proteolysis Of Proteins Containing Oxidised Amino Acids
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,320.00
Summary
There is evidence that during ageing, and age-related diseases, proteins which have been chemically modified by oxidation accumulate in the body, and may have deleterious effects. Oxidation of proteins is a process akin to that by which fats go rancid. It has been demonstrated by the applicants to be an important process in formation of cataracts, and in development of the blood vessel disease, atherosclerosis, which is responsible for most heart attacks and stroke. Other important age-related d ....There is evidence that during ageing, and age-related diseases, proteins which have been chemically modified by oxidation accumulate in the body, and may have deleterious effects. Oxidation of proteins is a process akin to that by which fats go rancid. It has been demonstrated by the applicants to be an important process in formation of cataracts, and in development of the blood vessel disease, atherosclerosis, which is responsible for most heart attacks and stroke. Other important age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer s disease and other neurological disorders, are also claimed to be associated with deranged protein oxidation, and accumulation of oxidised products. There is clear evidence that certain defensive mechanisms, such as those acting to remove invading organisms and clear wounds, are also associated with an enhanced production of oxidised proteins. Perhaps the most important component of defense against oxidised proteins is their removal by complete breakdown to constituent components, and excretion. Normally, the machinery for breakdown of proteins is in vast excess over the required rate of degradation. However, clearly in these conditions of accumulation of oxidised proteins, this is no longer the case, or no longer suffices. Mechanisms by which oxidised proteins are degraded are poorly understood, and quite controversial. Therefore, the present studies bring to bear a new approach to studying this issue, which has been developed by the applicants. The aim is to reveal mechanisms involved in the breakdown of proteins containing oxidised amino acids, both in cellular systems, and in vivo. Such an understanding may allow us to envisage how to remove oxidised proteins by therapeutic means and therefore interfere with the development of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer s disease and cataract formation and the diseases of the blood vessels associated with attack and stroke.Read moreRead less
A Cognitive And Neuroimaging Study Of Exceptionally Old Individuals: Sydney Centenarian Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$857,197.00
Summary
Australia has an ageing society. Individuals over the age of 95 years are the fastest growing proportion of this population. Many of these individuals retain good cognitive function. The Sydney Centenarian Study will recruit all individuals 95 and over in 7 local government areas in Sydney to assess their brain function to determine which cognitive faculties are more or less affected, and how this relates to changes on brain scans. This will be related to neuropathology.
Immunisation In Under Studied And Special Risk Populations: Closing The Gap In Knowledge Through A Multidisciplinary Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,499,969.00
Summary
Much of the vaccine research which informs national policy is conducted by the pharmaceutical industry or by government. However, there are critical research gaps in special-risk and under-served populations where targeted research is not commercially viable. These include research in the extremes of age, Indigenous Australians, migrants, refugees, immunosuppressed and traveller populations. This CRE will address research gaps in such populations, which have not been addressed elsewhere, using n ....Much of the vaccine research which informs national policy is conducted by the pharmaceutical industry or by government. However, there are critical research gaps in special-risk and under-served populations where targeted research is not commercially viable. These include research in the extremes of age, Indigenous Australians, migrants, refugees, immunosuppressed and traveller populations. This CRE will address research gaps in such populations, which have not been addressed elsewhere, using novel, multidisciplinary methods.Read moreRead less