A Role For The Pulvinar Nucleus In Visual Cortical Development And Plasticity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$844,435.00
Summary
This project will investigate a part of the brain responsible for processing visual information, the pulvinar. This area has received little attention but has more recently been associated with the capacity for infants to recover vision following injuries such as stroke, as well as in mental health conditions such as schizophrenia. We will take a cell-to-system approach to uncover how this area develops and modulates the processing of visual information.
A Novel Treatment For Ischemic Stroke: Preclinical Assessment In The Nonhuman Primate
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$762,246.00
Summary
A major source of repair inhibition after brain injury is debris from dying cells, which contains proteins that hinder repair. This project will examine the expression of these proteins in a clinically-relevant model of ischemic stroke and determine if blocking the effect of these proteins neutralises their repair-inhibiting properties. If successful, there is likelihood that this drug, and method of delivery, could be translated into the human for treatment following an ischemic stroke.
A DENDRITIC SUBSTRATE FOR THE CHOLINERGIC CONTROL OF NEOCORTICAL OUTPUT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$898,340.00
Summary
The forebrain cholinergic system controls neocortical activity and cognitive function. This project will investigate the mechanisms by which the cholinergic system controls neocortical circuit activity in rodent models using advanced optical and electrical recording methods. The results will provide a foundation for the understanding of how dysfunction of the cholinergic system results in cognitive decline in humans, and identify new targets for improved treatment of human cognitive impairment.
Role Of Dendritic Information Processing In Visual Circuit Computations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$895,244.00
Summary
Vision is the primary sensory modality in man, and its disturbance carries an enormous socio-economic burden. The dynamic operations of the neuronal assemblies that underlie vision are poorly understood, partly because of an incomplete description of the computational properties of visual neuronal circuits. The aims of the application are to mechanistically dissect defined computational operations of visual neural circuits using advanced electrophysiological and optical recording techniques.
Functional Neurogenesis In The Injured Neocortex Of The Nonhuman Primate
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$966,048.00
Summary
Research over the past couple of decades has revolutionised our understanding of the capacity of the brain to generate new cells, especially following an injury. However, what does remain controversial is whether this phenomenon occurs in all areas of the brain, especially following a severe traumatic brain injury or stroke. This project will examine whether the outer surface of the brain has the potential to generate new cells following a brain injury and whether they become functional.
Biomarkers For The Diagnosis Of Childhood TB: Validation In A High TB Prevalence Setting
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$948,086.00
Summary
The WHO highlights the urgent need for new diagnostic tests to combat the global TB pandemic. Diagnosis of TB is particularly difficult in children. In our previous NHMRC-funded Melbourne-based study we found promising diagnostic markers in blood which can differentiate patients with and without TB. This project has the potential to revolutionise the diagnosis of TB by providing data that will enable the development of a new generation of diagnostic tests.
International Orthopaedic Multicenter Study In Fracture Care (INORMUS)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,462,437.00
Summary
INORMUS is a global multi-centre prospective cohort study in 40,000 patients with musculoskeletal trauma (e.g. fractures or dislocations) to determine the incidence of major trauma complications (i.e. mortality, re-operations, and infections) and to examine a number of factors that may predict early complications. This study will allow us to address fundamental questions for the millions of adults worldwide who experience trauma annually and will have immense public health implications.
Point-of-care Diagnosis Of Sexually Transmitted Infections To Improve Maternal And Neonatal Health Outcomes In Resource-limited, High-burden Settings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,444,489.00
Summary
We will undertake the first effectiveness trial of novel, newly-available, easy to use, and highly accurate point-of-care tests for the diagnosis of curable sexually transmitted and genital infections (STIs) in pregnancy. The trial will establish whether point-of-care STI testing and treatment improves pregnancy outcomes compared to routine antenatal care in developing countries. The trial will also investigate the implementation requirements, costs and acceptability of this strategy.
A Randomised Trial To Compare Dolutegravir+darunavir/r Versus Recommended Standard Of Care Antiretroviral Regimens In Patients With HIV Infection Who Have Failed Recommended First Line Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,323,209.00
Summary
Public sector programs for provision of antiretroviral drugs in developing countries need regimens of therapy that are safe, effective and simple to administer. The evidence base to support first line therapy is strong. This contrasts with a relative paucity of evidence for second regimens of therapy once first line effectiveness has been lost. This trial will address that evidential deficit and support evidence-based recommendations for global health.
Reduced HIV Infection And Increased Survival Among HIV-exposed Infants Using Two Newly Developed Point-of-care Tests In Papua New Guinea And China.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$952,841.00
Summary
HIV contributes significantly to maternal and infant deaths, largely due to limited access to effective antiretroviral drugs among HIV-infected expectant mothers and their HIV-infected infants. Decisions on what and when to start treatment currently depends on sophisticated laboratory tests, unavailable to many. This research is a world-first intervention study to assess the effectiveness and impact of two newly developed and unique low-cost rapid point-of-care tests.