Prof Alan Connelly is an internationally recognised neuroimaging researcher specialising in MRI. His major areas of research are in the development of new methods to acquire and process MR images of both structural and functional aspects of the brain, and the application of these novel methods to clinical neuroscience problems. His work has had a major impact in the field of epilepsy, where techniques that he pioneered have been widely adopted in specialist epilepsy centres worldwide.
The aim of this application is to find new therapeutic strategies for genetic epilepsy. "Disease in a dish" models as well as whole animal models will be generated that contain patient gene mutations and the underlying disease processes will be characterised. Using these models a range of existing and new drugs will be tested to select those that most completely reverse these disease processes. These results will feed into clinical trials in patients with appropriate genetic profiles.
Novel Methods To Study Structural-functional Connectivity In Epilepsy And Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,605.00
Summary
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive method that has revolutionised our understanding of clinical neuroscience. MRI provides not only high-contrast anatomical images, but also information on brain physiology and function. My primary goal is to develop and optimise novel MRI methods for a more accurate measure of brain structure and function. My research program will focus on the application of these methods to the investigation of epilepsy and schizophrenia.
Epilepsy is a very common and serious brain disorder. Epilepsy often includes other disabilities, reduction in quality of life and is associated with increased risk of early death. 30% of people with epilepsy are unable to gain control of their seizures with currently available medications. The genetic causes of the large majority of epilepsy cases have not yet been found. This project aims to identify new genetic causes of epilepsy and its related disorders.
Variation in our genetic makeup can cause serious brain disorders such as epilepsy. The goal of this research is to determine how variation in an epilepsy patients genes produce fundamental changes in brain function that lead to epilepsy. This is a multidisciplinary program that combines clinical, genetic, electrophysiological, morphological and computational approaches to create a fundamental understanding of the genesis of this important disease.
I aim to decipher the role of heritable, genetic DNA variation in human neurological disease. I will use next generation genomics technologies together with sophisticated cellular models to address the important questions of the biology of epilepsy and intellectual disability in particular. I aim to develop a treatment for a specific type of epilepsy, which affects only girls from the age of 6 months. My ultimate goal is to improve the life of the patients and their relatives.