The Effect Of Chronic Intermittent Alcohol Consumption On The Precipitation Of Dementia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,644.00
Summary
This proposal examines the relationship between chronic alcohol intake and alcohol-related dementia, and potential interventions for the treatment of alcohol related dementia.
Acute And Chronic Effects Of Alcohol On Sleep And Sleep Related Brain Functioning In Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of physical injury and risky sexual behaviour, particularly in adolescence and young adulthood. Little is known about alcohols impact on brain activity during sleep in this age group. This project investigates whether brain synchronisation during sleep is an early marker of alcohol related brain damage in late adolescence and if acute intoxication disrupts sleep related memory processes during this critical developmental period
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a common and frequently undiagnosed neurological disease due to thiamine deficiency. The condition leads to cognitive and neurological disability and mostly affects people with alcohol dependence. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is eminently treatable with thiamine, although we have insufficient knowledge regarding the best dose of thiamine to treat the condition. This project proposes two controlled trials to evaluate treatment effectiveness of thiamine for Wernicke-K ....Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a common and frequently undiagnosed neurological disease due to thiamine deficiency. The condition leads to cognitive and neurological disability and mostly affects people with alcohol dependence. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is eminently treatable with thiamine, although we have insufficient knowledge regarding the best dose of thiamine to treat the condition. This project proposes two controlled trials to evaluate treatment effectiveness of thiamine for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.Read moreRead less
DEVELOPMENT OF FOLDING IN THE FETAL CEREBRAL CORTEX – IDENTIFYING FUNDAMENTAL MECHANISMS AND THEIR SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISRUPTION IN NORMAL AND ABNORMAL PREGNANCY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,742.00
Summary
During pregnancy, the surface of the fetal brain gradually develops the ridges, valleys, and folds that are the characteristic feature of our highly developed brain. However, this process can be disturbed if birth occurs prematurely, the unborn baby suffers oxygen starvation in the uterus, or the mother consumes alcohol. In this project we are determining how cell migration results in the development of brain surface folding, and how hypoxia and maternal alcohol consumption affect these importan ....During pregnancy, the surface of the fetal brain gradually develops the ridges, valleys, and folds that are the characteristic feature of our highly developed brain. However, this process can be disturbed if birth occurs prematurely, the unborn baby suffers oxygen starvation in the uterus, or the mother consumes alcohol. In this project we are determining how cell migration results in the development of brain surface folding, and how hypoxia and maternal alcohol consumption affect these important processes.Read moreRead less
Optimum Thiamine Dose For Treatment And Prevention Of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS): A Randomised Controlled Trial Targeting Aboriginal People.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,293,716.00
Summary
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), once thought to be a rare condition, is now known to be common in people with nutritional deficiencies or alcohol dependence. WKS may lead to significant, long-term brain dysfunction with severe effects on work, personal and social function. Whilst effective treatment may greatly reduce severe disability and the human and social costs of this illness, almost no evidence exists on optimal dosing regimens. This project proposes to develop quality evidence for eff ....Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), once thought to be a rare condition, is now known to be common in people with nutritional deficiencies or alcohol dependence. WKS may lead to significant, long-term brain dysfunction with severe effects on work, personal and social function. Whilst effective treatment may greatly reduce severe disability and the human and social costs of this illness, almost no evidence exists on optimal dosing regimens. This project proposes to develop quality evidence for effective treatment of WKS in an Aboriginal setting.Read moreRead less
Brain damage resulting from long-term alcohol abuse is localized to discrete regions of the brain and selectively impairs key neuropsychological functions. Alcohol misuse affects processes that control excitability in the brain, leading to the over-stimulation of brain cells. When this continues for long periods the cells are likely to die and most alcoholics misuse alcohol for most of their adult lives. We will study the human brain s capacity to use and respond to glutamate, its major natural ....Brain damage resulting from long-term alcohol abuse is localized to discrete regions of the brain and selectively impairs key neuropsychological functions. Alcohol misuse affects processes that control excitability in the brain, leading to the over-stimulation of brain cells. When this continues for long periods the cells are likely to die and most alcoholics misuse alcohol for most of their adult lives. We will study the human brain s capacity to use and respond to glutamate, its major natural excitant, in the regions that are selectively damaged by alcoholism. How these capacities are affected by heredity, and by diseases commonly associated with alcoholism such as cirrhosis of the liver, will also be explored. If we can understand how selective brain damage occurs in alcoholics we will be better able to devise new drug therapies to combat and prevent it. As well, localized brain damage is a feature of many neurological diseases, so the study will provide a general model of disease mechanisms.Read moreRead less