Participation following traumatic brain injury in rural, regional and remote areas. The results of this project will lead to improved rehabilitation programs and better outcomes for people with brain injury, especially in regional, rural and remote areas, by targeting the ultimate goal more directly: participation - getting people back into their home, work and community roles. Participation is associated with improved social networks, wellbeing, independence and quality of life, so health care ....Participation following traumatic brain injury in rural, regional and remote areas. The results of this project will lead to improved rehabilitation programs and better outcomes for people with brain injury, especially in regional, rural and remote areas, by targeting the ultimate goal more directly: participation - getting people back into their home, work and community roles. Participation is associated with improved social networks, wellbeing, independence and quality of life, so health care burdens and costs are reduced, and people can lead more productive lives. The project's emphasis on country areas will benefit rural health care, and also help specialist metropolitan brain injury services to understand the specific rehabilitation issues facing people from the bush.Read moreRead less
Gene therapy to enhance auditory prosthesis performance for cochlear implants. The cochlear implant is the most effective neural prosthesis, restoring hearing to the deaf. The research aims to develop a new type of implant compatible with delivery of therapeutic genes to the cells lining the cochlea. Gene therapy DNA constructs will be developed that will enhance neural survival and growth, improving cochlear implant performance. The research will provide advances in understanding how to tran ....Gene therapy to enhance auditory prosthesis performance for cochlear implants. The cochlear implant is the most effective neural prosthesis, restoring hearing to the deaf. The research aims to develop a new type of implant compatible with delivery of therapeutic genes to the cells lining the cochlea. Gene therapy DNA constructs will be developed that will enhance neural survival and growth, improving cochlear implant performance. The research will provide advances in understanding how to transfer genes into cochlear tissue, as well as development of gene cassettes for effective neural repair. The work will advance the field of bionics, an area where Australia is establishing international preeminence.Read moreRead less
Central command neurons integrating cardiorespiratory drive in exercise. The ability to perform exercise is fundamental to human health and welfare. This ability depends upon the co-ordination by the brain of respiratory and cardiovascular function, such that the delivery of oxygen to exercising muscles is maximised. This project will test the idea that there is a specific group of neurons in the brain that drive both the respiratory and cardiovascular changes that occur during exercise, and w ....Central command neurons integrating cardiorespiratory drive in exercise. The ability to perform exercise is fundamental to human health and welfare. This ability depends upon the co-ordination by the brain of respiratory and cardiovascular function, such that the delivery of oxygen to exercising muscles is maximised. This project will test the idea that there is a specific group of neurons in the brain that drive both the respiratory and cardiovascular changes that occur during exercise, and will determine the location and functions of such neurons. Such new knowledge will help us understand how the brain optimises the ability of the body to perform exercise. This is of fundamental importance in sports science, a field in which Australia excels.Read moreRead less
Calcium Signalling and Sequestration at Vertebrate Motor-Nerve Terminals. A fundamental process at Synapses is the release of transmitter from nerve terminals due to the initiation of calcium signalling in the temrinals by impulses. This calcium signalling must be terminated by sequestering processes. The aim of this project is to identify these processes in a vertebrate motor-nerve terminal and to determine the means by which calcium signals the changes in efficacy of transmitter release during ....Calcium Signalling and Sequestration at Vertebrate Motor-Nerve Terminals. A fundamental process at Synapses is the release of transmitter from nerve terminals due to the initiation of calcium signalling in the temrinals by impulses. This calcium signalling must be terminated by sequestering processes. The aim of this project is to identify these processes in a vertebrate motor-nerve terminal and to determine the means by which calcium signals the changes in efficacy of transmitter release during trains of impulses. This work will give a complete description of calcium signalling in a vertebrate nerve terminal and provide the basis for ameliorating failures in transmission from nerve to muscle.Read moreRead less
Development of the PD GeneChip: a research and diagnostic tool for Parkinson's disease. The PD GeneChip will provide both social and economic benefits to Australia. It will be a key research platform for Australian scientists, and will facilitate collaboration both within Australia and overseas. It will assist with health care management of PD (Parkinson's disease) patients by providing a cost-effective diagnostic tool and the possibility of predicting the clinical course of disease. This inform ....Development of the PD GeneChip: a research and diagnostic tool for Parkinson's disease. The PD GeneChip will provide both social and economic benefits to Australia. It will be a key research platform for Australian scientists, and will facilitate collaboration both within Australia and overseas. It will assist with health care management of PD (Parkinson's disease) patients by providing a cost-effective diagnostic tool and the possibility of predicting the clinical course of disease. This information will provide the basis for tailoring treatment to a patients needs. It is anticipated that marketing of the PD GeneChip within Australia and overseas may produce revenue of at least $40 million annually.Read moreRead less
Imaging genetics in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: shared neurocognitive endophenotypes. Combined, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder afflict approximately 506,000 Australians at any one time, and are leading causes of disability and national economic burden. This study will delineate genetic underpinnings for these conditions in association with specific neurocognitive dysfunctions that are common to both disorders. These findings have important implications for the implementation of perso ....Imaging genetics in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: shared neurocognitive endophenotypes. Combined, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder afflict approximately 506,000 Australians at any one time, and are leading causes of disability and national economic burden. This study will delineate genetic underpinnings for these conditions in association with specific neurocognitive dysfunctions that are common to both disorders. These findings have important implications for the implementation of personalised pharmaceutical treatments on the basis of genotype, and the development of therapeutic agents to target cognitive function. These results will also aid detection of premorbid psychotic illness in young individuals who may benefit from early intervention that may thwart the illness trajectory. Read moreRead less
Novel Hybrid Inorganic Nanoparticles for Effective siRNA Delivery to Neurons. This project will lead to a more efficient and reliable drug delivery system to treat Huntington's disease. The insights and technology gained from this project will be directly applicable for many human diseases, both within and outside the central nervous system. This project will make a major contribution to the ARC's goal of maintaining good health and promises to significantly reduce the financial and psychologica ....Novel Hybrid Inorganic Nanoparticles for Effective siRNA Delivery to Neurons. This project will lead to a more efficient and reliable drug delivery system to treat Huntington's disease. The insights and technology gained from this project will be directly applicable for many human diseases, both within and outside the central nervous system. This project will make a major contribution to the ARC's goal of maintaining good health and promises to significantly reduce the financial and psychological burdens to patients' family and community. This project will encourage inter-disciplinary approaches to research and train highly skilled researchers both in neuroscience and nanobiotechnology to advance Australia's industrial competitiveness.Read moreRead less
Improved identification of patients 'at risk' of depression, and optimal targeting of rehabilitation post-stroke through novel brain imaging and biomarkers. Use of novel brain imaging and biomarkers for identification of stroke survivors at risk of depression and recurrent stroke will permit early access to preventative and effective treatments for depression and improve capacity to benefit from rehabilitation. Development of predictive models to guide selection of most optimal rehabilitation st ....Improved identification of patients 'at risk' of depression, and optimal targeting of rehabilitation post-stroke through novel brain imaging and biomarkers. Use of novel brain imaging and biomarkers for identification of stroke survivors at risk of depression and recurrent stroke will permit early access to preventative and effective treatments for depression and improve capacity to benefit from rehabilitation. Development of predictive models to guide selection of most optimal rehabilitation strategies based on viable brain will maximise the capacity for persons with stroke to reach their full potential for recovery and ensure rehabilitation is more targeted and cost efficient. Improved capacity to benefit from treatment will have ongoing benefits for activity participation and productive living in Australians who experience stroke.Read moreRead less
Molecular Investigations into Polyglutamine Repeat Proteins. The proposed research program, will provide significant fundamental insight into the processes that control protein aggregation and disease. Investigating processes central to protein aggregation is important, as it will further our understanding of these critically-important events and our understanding of disease processes. Such knowledge will increase Australia's international research standing, as well as having the potential to ....Molecular Investigations into Polyglutamine Repeat Proteins. The proposed research program, will provide significant fundamental insight into the processes that control protein aggregation and disease. Investigating processes central to protein aggregation is important, as it will further our understanding of these critically-important events and our understanding of disease processes. Such knowledge will increase Australia's international research standing, as well as having the potential to generate novel therapies, that prevent neurodegeneration.Read moreRead less
Analysing the detrimental effects of polyglutamine expansion. The proposed research program, will provide significant fundamental insight into the processes that control protein aggregation and its link with disease. Investigating processes central to protein aggregation is important as it will deepen our understanding of how proteins inappropriately change shape and our understanding of disease processes. Such knowledge will increase Australia's international research standing, as well as ha ....Analysing the detrimental effects of polyglutamine expansion. The proposed research program, will provide significant fundamental insight into the processes that control protein aggregation and its link with disease. Investigating processes central to protein aggregation is important as it will deepen our understanding of how proteins inappropriately change shape and our understanding of disease processes. Such knowledge will increase Australia's international research standing, as well as having the potential to generate novel therapies, that prevent neurodegeneration.Read moreRead less