Novel Ophthalmic Topical Formulation Targeting Molecular Pathogenesis Of Corneal Haze
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$296,090.00
Summary
Presently, no drugs are proven to cure corneal haze/scarring, major leading cause of global blindness. Haze is caused by eye trauma, infections or refractive laser surgeries. We aim to test a non toxic, novel ophthalmic topical formulation developed to act on molecular and cellular targets of haze formation. The successful completion of the study will determine formulation’s optimal dose, safety and efficacy for its future potential clinical use in reversing corneal scarring/haze without side ef ....Presently, no drugs are proven to cure corneal haze/scarring, major leading cause of global blindness. Haze is caused by eye trauma, infections or refractive laser surgeries. We aim to test a non toxic, novel ophthalmic topical formulation developed to act on molecular and cellular targets of haze formation. The successful completion of the study will determine formulation’s optimal dose, safety and efficacy for its future potential clinical use in reversing corneal scarring/haze without side effects.Read moreRead less
A New Animal Model Of The Prodrome In Schizophrenia. Enhanced Dopamine In Prodromal Schizophrenia (EDiPs)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$571,990.00
Summary
Psychiatrists now recognize a pre-symptomatic stage is present in people at risk of developing schizophrenia. Using new brain imaging techniques we now know that some of these individuals have changes in a major neurotransmitter, dopamine, prior to being diagnosed. We have developed a new model in animals, which recreates these exact same changes at a comparable age. We want to now understand what are the broader effects in the brain and try and block these changes in dopamine with new drugs.
The cross-disciplinary team performing this research will examine how mobile DNA elements found in brain cells move in response to learning and memory exercises in mice, and whether these changes generate an address system for parts of the brain to be turned on by specific experiences. This work has major implications for our fundamental understanding of how the brain works in healthy individuals, as well as people affected by neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions.
This proposal aims to examine how the oral bacterial pathogen, P.gingivalis, interacts with the host to worsen the severity of disease in rheumatoid arthritis. We propose a new mechanism whereby the pathogen directly activates a major destructive host pathway to promote tissue and bone destruction, which are two of the clinical hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis. We also propose that this host-pathogen interaction occurs in periodontal disease.
Neuroprotection Against Parkinson’s Disease With Remote Photobiomodulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,818.00
Summary
Treating the head of rodents with low-intensity 670nm light protects against Parkinson’s disease (PD), but the large size of the human skull and brain precludes clinical translation of this treatment. We have discovered that the brain is also protected when light is targeted at peripheral tissues (e.g. a limb), overcoming problems of delivery. This project aims to optimise this treatment and better understand how it works, to lay the scientific basis for a clinical trial.
This Project will produce the first map of the brain mechanisms that motivate unhealthy food choices in obesity. This outcome can inform the development of novel treatment approaches for obesity that modify the preference for high-calorie, unhealthy foods by changing the neural bases of such preferences.
Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinases 1 And 2 Activity In Osteoarthiritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,071.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of joint disorders and a major cause of disability in the elderly, affecting approximately 60% of men and 75% of woman above the age of 65. This project will specifically focus on the regulatory role of cell signaling pathways in OA development and progression. The outcome of this project is the potential to develop early intervention treatments of osteoarthritis.
Dopamine Neuron Ontogeny: Convergent Neurobiological Pathway For Risk Factors Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,214.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is associated with changes in dopamine (a signalling molecule in the brain). These changes are present prior to psychosis, suggesting they begin early in development. Our aims are to manipulate key factors in the development of brain dopamine systems to clarify their role in psychosis and schizophrenia. This work has the potential to identify early brain changes that lead to schizophrenia, which in turn may generate better diagnoses and outcomes for people with this disorder.
Stroke Induced Disturbances In Glymphatic Clearance: Implications For Brain Repair?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$491,688.00
Summary
We have made a remarkable discovery that the ability of the brain to clear waste proteins is significantly impaired after stroke. This may have important implications for development of dementia and milder changes in thinking late after stroke. We already have some clues regarding potential mechanisms. In this project we will further investigate these mechanisms and their effects on the brain and develop our understanding of potential ways to reverse the clearance problem to develop treatments.
Mapping And Manipulating Circuits For Relapse And Abstinence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$670,005.00
Summary
Alcohol-use disorders and other drug addictions are chronically relapsing conditions. Current treatment approaches have only modest efficacy. Two advances are needed for genuine improvement. The first is parsing the brain mechanisms supporting abstinence and relapse at cellular as well as circuit levels. The second is targeting these circuits therapeutically with the same precision. This project contributes to the first advance and lays a basic science platform for next generation therapeutics.