Epilepsy is often poorly controlled by medication and dietary measures can be taken that reduce occurrence of epileptic seizures. Glucose control is impacted by diet and also mutations in the genes that move glucose around the body are known to cause epilepsy. Here we will be studying how the genetic and dietary control of glucose levels impacts brain function to increase seizures and to potentially reveal novel therapies.
Underlying Mechanims Of Thalamocortical Dysrhythmia In Chronic Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$393,817.00
Summary
Pain has a detrimental impact on ones quality of life and a significant financial impact on the community. It has recently been revealed that chronic pain is associated with altered electrical rhythms within the brain. Using human brain imaging, we aim to determine the underlying reason for this altered rhythm in humans with pain resulting from nervous system damage. Defining this mechanism will aid in the development of better treatment regimes.
Neurophysiology Of Attention Deficits After Right Hemisphere Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,742.00
Summary
Stroke is a common and debilitating condition affecting thousands of Australians per year. Problems of attention are common after right hemisphere stroke and arise from lesions to multiple different brain regions. This project utilises a unique multi-modal approach to understand the neurophysiology of sensory, attentional, decision-making and motoric aspects of deficit after right hemisphere stroke and will map these objective signatures to discrete lesion locations.
Effects Of Electromagnetic Radiation On Visual Processing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,564.00
Summary
We are increasingly surrounded by devices such as mobile phones and wireless networks. The effect of this electromagnetic radiation on human physiology is still largely unknown. Recent research has shown increases in "alpha-wave" electrical activity in the human brain after exposure to mobile phone radiation, but no effect has yet been shown on human mental processes. We plan to explore the effects of the electromagnetic environment on human visual processing, using sensitive techniques that wil ....We are increasingly surrounded by devices such as mobile phones and wireless networks. The effect of this electromagnetic radiation on human physiology is still largely unknown. Recent research has shown increases in "alpha-wave" electrical activity in the human brain after exposure to mobile phone radiation, but no effect has yet been shown on human mental processes. We plan to explore the effects of the electromagnetic environment on human visual processing, using sensitive techniques that will help reveal the underlying brain processes.Read moreRead less
Obstructive Sleep Apnea affects 800,000 Australians and cost the country billions of dollars per year. Immediate daytime consequences of OSA are neurocognitive impairments leading to 200-700% increase in accident risks and a low quality of life. Longer-term consequences include high risk for diabetes and heart disease. There are no simple tests for assessing neurocognitive impairment in OSA. The project develops an automated test to administer neurocognitive functions.
Characterising Motor Network Connectivity To Improve Application Of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation In Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Stroke is a major health issue and leading cause of disability. Improvements to rehabilitation would be beneficial for both patients and hospital services. Brain stimulation has shown capacity to improve function after stroke. At the moment the effects are highly variable an unable to assist rehabilitation. Strength and pattern of remaining brain connections may explain variable responses to brain stimulation. Tailoring stimulation based on brain function will improve rehabilitation outcomes.
Novel Methods For Early Bedside Detection And Prognosis Of Preterm Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$630,880.00
Summary
Quick and robust assessments of preterm brain activity are critical for identifying early markers of brain injuries. We need to predict poor outcomes before they develop in order to give clinicians the best chance of helping sick infants. This project will develop and validate new non-invasive methods for assessing early brain activity in preterm infants at risk of developing poor neurodevelopmental outcomes.
The ability of humans to detect and be aware of errors in behaviour is a fundamental aspect of human cognition. As the saying goes: "To Err Is Human". This project seeks to understand how individual differences in our genetic makeup contribute to our ability to detect and be aware of errors in our behaviour. Understanding the biological systems underpinning error monitoring may assist in the treatment of many psychiatric disorders which are marked by poor awareness of behaviour.
Assessment Of Novel Biomarkers That Are Related Neurobehavioural Dysfunction In Patients With Obstructive Sleep Anoea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$312,941.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea is recognised as a common condition that has a clearly measurable impact on public health. However it is often difficult for doctors to decide which patients have problems with driving or day to day brain functioning. This study will measure driving and memory during an extended period of waking in patients with sleep apnea. Special markers of brain function will be correlated with performance results during this extended wakefulness challenge.