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Molecular Mediators, Epigenetic Modulators And Therapeutic Targets For Cognitive Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
Brain disorders constitute an enormous, and growing, burden. My research investigates how genes and environment combine to cause disorders of cognition, including dementia, schizophrenia and autism. The research will provide new insights into these disorders, at the level of molecules, cells and behaviour. I will explore how genetic and environmental factors interact, with a focus on mental activity, physical exercise and stress, which affect a range of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Epigenetic Impacts Of Paternal Experience On Offspring Anxiety And Cognition: Molecular Mediators And Therapeutic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$681,162.00
Summary
Stress and physical activity are two of the major lifestyle factors impacting on human health, including brain disorders. We have recently discovered that stress and exercise in male mice can impact the phenotype of offspring. We will study molecules in the sperm of these fathers, and in the brains of offspring to understand the mechanisms involved. There is evidence that lifestyle factors in men prior to conception impact on their children and this research has major public health implications.
Tackling The Complex Pathogenesis Of Non-Alzheimer Dementias And Motor Neurodegenerative Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$948,684.00
Summary
I research dementia and motor syndromes as there are no mechanistic treatments for these disorders, and for many there are no treatments at all. Without being able to identify the same diseases and differentiate them from other diseases, no treatments will be successful. To develop more reliably detection methods for these diseases, I perform longitudinally studies where the participants agree to donate serial biological samples and their brain tissue at death.
Gene-environment Interactions, Experience-dependent Plasticity And Pathogenic Mechanisms In Mouse Models Of Cognitive And Affective Disorders. Mental And Physical Activity As Modulators Of Brain And Behaviour In Healthy And Diseased States.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,805.00
Summary
Our aim is to understand how genes and environment combine to affect susceptibility to various brain disorders. We are using specific models involving human gene mutations associated with diseases, and manipulating environmental factors such as mental and physical activity. We are focused on neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Huntington’s disease, depression and schizophrenia. These efforts to understand brain diseases will facilitate development of therapeutic approaches.
I am a physiologist investigating how the brain controls balance and movement. Many neurological disorders cause unsteady balance and problems with movement, and consequently a poor quality of life. I study people with disorders of the sensory and movement processing areas of the brain to discover how the brain combines different sensory information to control balance. This work will improve understanding of human balance and movement, and lead to new clinical techniques for assessment and treat ....I am a physiologist investigating how the brain controls balance and movement. Many neurological disorders cause unsteady balance and problems with movement, and consequently a poor quality of life. I study people with disorders of the sensory and movement processing areas of the brain to discover how the brain combines different sensory information to control balance. This work will improve understanding of human balance and movement, and lead to new clinical techniques for assessment and treatment.Read moreRead less
SRY: A Risk Factor For Parkinson’s Disease In Men?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$514,015.00
Summary
Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating neurological disorder that affects over 70,000 Australians. This project will test the novel concept that the male sex-determination gene SRY is a risk factor for Parkinson’s disease in men. A potential implication of the work is that it will help explain why men are more susceptible to Parkinson’s disease than women, and may also provide avenues for the development of novel therapeutics for this condition.
New tools to activate and silence neural circuits. Many neurological disorders occur as a result of neuron cell death that is initiated by excessive levels of excitatory activity in central nervous system neurons. This project will develop and validate a new treatment for these disorders that involves silencing excessive neuronal activity using a safe, commonly prescribed drug.
Investigating the neuroprotective actions of metallo-complexes. Metal-based drugs offer an exciting new approach to treatment of neurodegeneration. However, little is known about how cells metabolise these drugs: information that is critical for further drug development. This project will determine how metal-based drugs are metabolized by neuronal cells and how this may result in therapeutic benefit.
Role Of IRF8 In Central Nervous System Glial Cell Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,437.00
Summary
Glial cells of the brain change their function in response to local threats such as damage and this may contribute to either protection or injury of neurons. How glial cells mount this response is unknown. The goal of this project is to determine the role of the protein IRF8 in controlling the functional response of glial cells. The results will provide a better understanding of how glial cells contribute to neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.
Understanding The Cause Of Muscle Weakness In Nemaline Myopathy (NM) – Moving Towards The Development Of Targeted Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Congenital myopathy patients have unremitting, life-long muscle weakness that severely affects their quality of life and ability to perform normal daily activities. Currently no effective therapies exist for these conditions, largely due to our limited understanding of the mechanisms leading to muscle weakness. This ECF aims to determine the cause of weakness and test two therapies which have shown promise for other conditions and can be translated into clinical use for myopathies if effective.