Evaluation Of Combination Nutritional Supplement Therapies In The Prevention Of Alzheimers Disease In
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$484,675.00
Summary
Age-related diseases are becoming a major concern as the world’s population grows older due to advances in medical technology, health and nutrition. Dementia accounts for a large proportion of agerelated diseases and is characterised clinically by deterioration in memory and cognitive processing. AD is the most common form of cerebral degeneration leading to dementia. Currently over 200,000 Australians suffer from dementia, with AD, accounting for 50-70% of all cases. At this rate, the number of ....Age-related diseases are becoming a major concern as the world’s population grows older due to advances in medical technology, health and nutrition. Dementia accounts for a large proportion of agerelated diseases and is characterised clinically by deterioration in memory and cognitive processing. AD is the most common form of cerebral degeneration leading to dementia. Currently over 200,000 Australians suffer from dementia, with AD, accounting for 50-70% of all cases. At this rate, the number of people in Australia with dementia will increase to 730,000 by the year 2050. Thus, there is an urgent need for effective preventative treatments for this devastating disease, as dementia will soon be the major cause of disability in Australia. As a result, the social and economic consequences of this disease present a significant challenge to society, and it is imperative that strategies to prevent or delay the onset of AD are developed. If complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies could be developed to prevent or delay the onset for Alzheimer’s disease, the impact on disease burden could be substantial. However, these CAM therapies need to be critically evaluated for their mechanisms, efficacy and safety before human clinical trial are undertaken. The proposed research plan will evaluate the efficacy of the nutritional supplements of polyphenols (EGCG from green tea and curcumin), omega-3 essential fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid) and lipoic acid to determine whether these treatments in combination offer preventative therapies for AD. The findings from the current study will provide important information concerning the effects of combination supplements in preventing cognitive deficits and AD pathology in a transgenic mouse model. Combination treatments may reduce cognitive deficits (memory and learning), oxidative stress and AD pathology, thereby providing an important insight into possible CAM preventative treatment strategies for AD. The development of effective preventative strategies for the treatment of AD is critical if we are to reduce the number of people that are expected to develop AD over the next 50 years, due to the rapidly aging population. The outcomes of this research may provide disease modifying therapies for the prevention of AD.Read moreRead less
Assessment Of Calcium Signaling In Breast Cancer Cells Associated With Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$116,762.00
Summary
This research will assess the role of specific proteins that control cell function in a process which is important in the spread of cancer cells throughout the body. The work is aimed at identifying new targets for drugs that may be used to prevent or stop the spread of breast cancer cells to other organs such as the brain and liver.
Calcium acts as a signal to control cell processes important in cancer. The entry of calcium into the cell is regulated by calcium channels and we have found some channels are over-expressed in breast cancer. Altering the expression and activity of these calcium channels is a possible therapeutic approach for cancer. We will determine the reasons and consequences of alterations of calcium channels in breast cancer and whether they are viable anti-cancer therapies and biomarkers.
Anthracyclines Disrupt Ca2+ Signalling In Cardiomyocytes: A Contribution To Cardiac Toxicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$525,620.00
Summary
Anthracyclines are one of the most effective drugs used in chemotherapy, but cause side effects resulting in serious heart problems which can be fatal. The link between anthracycline therapy and the problems they cause in the heart is not fully defined. We will investigate mechanisms leading to these side effects and define specific targets of anthracyclines in the heart. It is hoped this will lead to the design of new drugs which counteract the side effects of anthracycline treatment.
Calcium Signaling And Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition: A New Approach To Identifying Pharmacological Targets For Metastasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,645.00
Summary
The largest killer of women with breast cancer is disease that has spread e.g. to brain, bones, lungs. Once breast cancer has spread in this way to secondary sites, also known as metastatic disease, then there is limited treatment available and generally therapy is palliative only. Our work describes experiments that will help us understand the process of metastasis and provide new avenues for drug discovery in metastatic disease, thus helping women who have a poor prognosis.