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Despite advances in medical management, critical care clinicians continue to search for procedures that will improve outcomes in critically ill patients with haemorrhagic shock (a life-threatening fall in blood pressure). Shock is a consequence of an active process triggered by the brain . The proposed research aims to elucidate the precise sequence of brain events that initiate and maintain shock. We will also evaluate the effects of interventions (designed to ameliorate or reverse shock) on th ....Despite advances in medical management, critical care clinicians continue to search for procedures that will improve outcomes in critically ill patients with haemorrhagic shock (a life-threatening fall in blood pressure). Shock is a consequence of an active process triggered by the brain . The proposed research aims to elucidate the precise sequence of brain events that initiate and maintain shock. We will also evaluate the effects of interventions (designed to ameliorate or reverse shock) on the brain events that drive the shock response. The results of this research will offer, for the first time, a rational basis for devising new methods to reverse or ameliorate shock and potentially improve clinical outcomesRead moreRead less
Pharmacological Strategies To Enhance Endogenous Opioid Actions In Pain Circuits.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,318,226.00
Summary
Boosting endogenous opioid actions in our brain may allow us to utilize this system to reduce pain and the related disability without the addiction and overdose threat associated with opioid drugs. We have shown that we can enhance endogenous opioid actions using two pharmacological strategies. We will now determine how we can use these strategies to enhance endogenous opioid regulation of the neural function and behaviours important in pain and related anxiety disorders.
Understanding The Role Of Supracollicular Nuclei In The Generation Of Basal Sympathetic Vasomotor Tone.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$238,500.00
Summary
Increased activity from the parts of the brain which regulate blood pressure is observed in patients with cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure and heart failure. In some cases this increased activity might actually cause the high blood pressure. In all cases this increased activity can lead to serious complications including arrhythmias of the heart, enlargement of the heart and blood vessels, and even sudden cardiac death. This project aims to understand in more detail the par ....Increased activity from the parts of the brain which regulate blood pressure is observed in patients with cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure and heart failure. In some cases this increased activity might actually cause the high blood pressure. In all cases this increased activity can lead to serious complications including arrhythmias of the heart, enlargement of the heart and blood vessels, and even sudden cardiac death. This project aims to understand in more detail the parts of the brain that generate this activity. This information will enable more selective and effective treatments to be developed for people with high blood pressure or heart failure.Read moreRead less
This project maps and manipulates the brainstem mechanisms causing expression of fear. It does so using brain cell type and brain circuit specific mechanisms.
IDENTIFICATION OF BRAIN NEURONS INVOLVED IN THE CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSE TO FEAR AND FLIGHT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,247.00
Summary
The circulatory system of the body acts in concert with the respiratory system to distribute oxygenated blood to the brain and other organs and tissues of the body. Control of blood pressure and heart rate is achieved largely through the actions of the central nervous system on effector organs and tissues such as the heart and blood vessels. This control is exerted through the actions of nerves in the body which affect the rate and force of contraction of the heart and the diameter of blood vess ....The circulatory system of the body acts in concert with the respiratory system to distribute oxygenated blood to the brain and other organs and tissues of the body. Control of blood pressure and heart rate is achieved largely through the actions of the central nervous system on effector organs and tissues such as the heart and blood vessels. This control is exerted through the actions of nerves in the body which affect the rate and force of contraction of the heart and the diameter of blood vessels which restrict the flow of blood to the tissues. These nerves, in turn, are under the control of brain cells or neurons which are located in the brainstem. Blood pressure-controlling neurons, acting upon information they receive from pressure sensors in the major blood vessels in the chest cavity, can alter their activity so that blood pressure is maintained within normal limits. Our laboratory has been examining the properties of these blood pressure-controlling neurons by recording their minute electrical discharges and by studying other brain regions which are able to influence them. In this study, we will use newly-developed procedures which will allow us to identify the precise locations of these neurons in the brain, to study which neurotransmitters (chemicals released by neurons which are used to communicate with other neurons) they use, as well as to identify other regions of the brain they connect with and influence. The major significance of this work will be that new brain circuits which transmit information about the status of the cardiovascular system to other areas of the brain will be identified. Our understanding of, and the development of new treatments for, cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure and heart failure are critically dependent on advancing our understanding of the nervous system.Read moreRead less