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Muscarinic Receptors In The Human Brain: In Health And In Sickness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,408.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness, with sub-optimal treatment outcomes. New drugs are being designed to provide more effective treatment. To understand the effects of these drugs, we need to know which brain cells have the protein these new drugs target and which cells are affected in schizophrenia. Our project will determine the localisation of this drug target; this knowledge will help the development of better treatments for schizophrenia.
Emerging Infectious Neurological Diseases In Australia; From Enhanced Recognition To Improved Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,384.00
Summary
Infectious neurological diseases(IND) such as encephalitis are severe and frequently cause long term disability. New IND like Zika pose a real threat. During his PhD, Dr Britton identified outbreaks of encephalitis in children and described serious consequences. Here, Dr Britton proposes to extend his work across all ages, include other types of IND and explore novel methods to detect outbreaks. He will work with experts at leading national research centres in surveillance and infectious disease
Vascular Changes Are A Key Contributor To And Novel Drug Target For Interferon-alpha Induced Neurological Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,245,401.00
Summary
Type I interferons (IFN-Is) contribute to wide range of neurological diseases including ageing and neurodegeneration. At its extreme IFN-I-mediated neurodegeneration is known as 'interferonopathy'. The mechanisms of how IFN-Is drive disease are unclear, making causal treatment difficult. We have recently uncovered ground-breaking evidence that abnormal blood vessels are a key contributor to the disease. Here, we will investigate novel treatment targets for patients with interferonopathies.
Inhibitors Of NLRP3 Activation For Treatment Of Inflammatory CNS Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,023,137.00
Summary
This project will use novel tool compounds to advance our understanding of inflammatory brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Multiple Sclerosis. We will examine the molecular pathways and identify novel means to treat these debilitating diseases. We will then aim to design novel therapeutics which target these pathways.
How Does Fampridine Affect Upper Limb Function In Multiple Sclerosis?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,237.00
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common and disabling neurological disease affecting thousands of young Australians. In 2011 Fampridine received TGA approval for walking impairment in MS, but its mechanism of action is unknown and its effects on domains other than lower limb function remain untested. Our study will test whether Fampridine improves upper limb impairment in MS patients and will use electrophysiological measures of central nervous system conduction to uncover its mechanism of action.
Viral Determinants Of HIV-1 Transcriptional Latency In The Central Nervous System: Impact On Cure Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$847,521.00
Summary
This grant will identify the factors responsible for HIV-1 latency in the CNS, and will determine the effect of drugs aimed at reversing latency both on HIV-1 within the CNS, and also on the cells of the CNS.
Elucidation Of The Transcriptional Control Of CNS Myelination And Remyelination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,764.00
Summary
Oligodendrocytes are the cell type in the central nervous system that produce myelin, the insulating layer around nerve cells. Loss of oligodendrocytes and myelin are key features of multiple sclerosis. This project aims to characterize how a recently identified gene (Myelin Gene Regulatory Factor) functions to promote myelination and to assess the role of the gene in myelin maintenance and repair in the adult central nervous system.
New Strategies In The Treatment And Imaging Of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$934,085.00
Summary
The treatment and diagnosis of brain diseases is one of society’s major challenges. To address these challenges, we need a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in brain disease. We will develop innovative ways in which to probe disease progression, assess efficacy of treatment, and ultimately treat a wide range of brain disorders.
Encephalitis is a common cause of neurological disability in young adults and adolescents. We have identified a subgroup of encephalitis which is due to the patient's own immune system attacking the brain. Our study will identify the earliest immune responses against the brain in children with encephalitis. Identifying these early immune responses in people with encephalitis will allow early and directed treatments to prevent disability and death in the future.
Developing Exon Replacement Gene Therapy To Cure Rett Syndrome: An Innovative Model For Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$475,105.00
Summary
There is no cure for neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett syndrome which is caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene. Gene therapy is ineffective due to the 'Goldilocks' effect where too little, as well as too much expression of MECP2 causes disease. Here a gene editing therapy will be tested in patient cells and mouse model that will maintain the normal cellular expression of MECP2 by cutting out the mutated regions of the gene (exons) and replacing them with repaired copies.