Pharmacological Inhibition Of IRAP As A Novel Antifibrotic Strategy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,036,370.00
Summary
There are very few treatments that can reduce heart stiffening, called fibrosis, which is seen in patients with high blood pressure or in patients who have had a heart attack. This project will test new drugs that we have developed that act by a unique mechanism to reverse or prevent cardiovascular disease in patients with poorly-functioning hearts and blood vessels.
Is Overactive Bladder A 'Bladder Itch'? Identification Of Itch Specific Pathways Within The Bladder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,585.00
Summary
Overactive bladder is a leading cause of nocturia, urgency and incontinence. These symptoms arise from sensory nerve fibres in the bladder. We have identified key irritant mechanisms, including the bile acid receptor TGR5 and Mrgpr family, thought to only exist in the skin, also innervate the bladder. We hypothesis that the clinical entity overactive bladder, is triggered by pathological activation of bladder afferents by such irritants and that overactive bladder is essentially a bladder itch.
Research Fellowship: Protection Of Myocardial Function In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,010.00
Summary
Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of death in Australia. A/Prof Rebecca Ritchie heads Heart Failure Pharmacology at Baker IDI. Her research focuses on new drug strategies to maintain heart function in response to diabetes & heart attack, common precursors of HF. Many of the treatments discovered from this work are naturally-occurring antioxidants; enhancing their activity will ultimately reduce progression to HF & death in the >3 million Australians affected by these disorders.
Investigating A Novel Agent To Limit Brain Injury And Post-stroke Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,429.00
Summary
Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but treatment options remain limited. The goal of this research project will be to examine the potential of new agent to protect the brain against stroke and to also treat complications that typically occur after stroke including infection and weight loss. It is anticipated that this project will ultimately lead to the development of an effective stroke therapy.
ROLE OF A DOWN SYNDROME-RELATED PROTEIN IN STROKE OUTCOME
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$931,302.00
Summary
This project will test whether a gene called DSCR1, which is present at a higher level in Down Syndrome individuals, might play a protective role in the outcome after stroke. We will identify the cells and molecular pathways that are involved in this protective effect in mice, with a longer term view of applying this information to the development of new types of targeted therapies for clinical stroke.
Blood-Brain Barrier Penetrating Antisense Therapy For Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$635,005.00
Summary
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease caused by the deficiency of a protein known as survival motor neuron.This results in the degeneration of motor neurons (nerve cells controlling muscles) leading to progressive muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventual death. Currently, there is no known cure for SMA. The aim of proposed research is to develop gene-modifying molecules that prevent degeneration of motor neuron and extend the life-span of mice as a potential therapy for SMA.
Preclinical Validation Of Oxytocin As A Novel Treatment For Alcohol Dependence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$517,624.00
Summary
Alcohol dependence is a major cause of mental and physical illness in Australia. Current medications for treating this condition are of limited effectiveness. This project will investigate the ability of the hormone oxytocin to reduce alcohol abuse and alcohol craving and to reverse the brain damage that alcohol causes. The project will also develop new medications, based on oxytocin, but with more powerful and longer lasting effects. These medications may provide a breakthrough in the fight aga ....Alcohol dependence is a major cause of mental and physical illness in Australia. Current medications for treating this condition are of limited effectiveness. This project will investigate the ability of the hormone oxytocin to reduce alcohol abuse and alcohol craving and to reverse the brain damage that alcohol causes. The project will also develop new medications, based on oxytocin, but with more powerful and longer lasting effects. These medications may provide a breakthrough in the fight against alcoholism.Read moreRead less
Enhancing The Blood-brain Barrier Efflux Of ?-amyloid: A Novel Approach For The Treatment Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,274.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and is associated with the accumulation of a toxic protein in the brain. This project will investigate whether enhancing the removal of this toxic protein from the brain (by shuttling it into the blood) will restore the memory deficit associated with AD. The outcomes of this project have the potential to lead to novel strategies for the treatment of this debilitating disorder.
Does A Novel Estrogen Receptor Worsen Stroke Outcome?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,820.00
Summary
This project will test whether a target protein for estrogen, called GPER, which is found in high levels in the brain, worsens stroke outcome. We will identify the key signalling pathways related to GPER in the brain after stroke and we hope to identify a new type of drug that could be used to treat stroke patients. It is possible that our work could at least partly explain why hormone replacement therapy can increase the risk of worsened outcome after stroke in women.