Activity In Central Cough Networks In Patients With Cough Hypersensitivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,499.00
Summary
Excessive cough associated with an airways disease represents the most common reason for doctor consultations. However, the current therapeutic options for relieving excessive cough are limited. This proposal will provide unprecedented insights into the brain mechanisms that contribute to the development of cough disorders in airways disease.
3D Histological And MRI Atlases Of Brain And Spinal Cord For Research And Clinical Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$876,005.00
Summary
This project uses imaging techniques to produce the next generation of maps of the central nervous system. It will advance our understanding of the organisation and structure of the brain and spinal cord of humans and experimental animals, paving the way for the development of psychotherapeutic drugs and more accurate interventions on the human brain. The new maps will help those who study the brain of patients with diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or animal models of these diseases.
Imaging Atlases Of The Brain Of Humans And Experimental Animals
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$808,375.00
Summary
This project uses imaging techniques and molecular genetics to produce the next generation of brain maps. It will advance our understanding of the organisation and structure of the brain and spinal cord of humans and experimental animals – paving the way for the development of psychotherapeutic drugs and more accurate interventions on the human brain. The new maps will help those who study the brain of patients with diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s or animal models of these diseases.
We have previously made the most widely used animal brain atlas in the world. This atlas based on stained histological sections of the rat brain. In recent years, advances in MRI have made it possible to generate images of the rat brain at very high resolution. We have obtained a very high quality MRI image set from colleagues in Duke University in the USA, and we have begun to map these images in great detail, using our histological atlas as a guide.
Caress The Detail: A Comprehensive MRI Atlas Of The In Vivo Human Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,978.00
Summary
This project will construct a detailed MRI atlas of the living human brain. The atlas will be online and compatible with tablet computers to provide a convenient, powerful reference tool for researchers and clinicians. It is a collaboration between George Paxinos, a leader in brain cartography, and Mark Schira, an emerging scientist in MRI technology. They will use high resolution in vivo MR images obtained at the University of Queensland Centre for Advanced Imaging.
Organization And Function Of Primate Auditory Cortex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$271,671.00
Summary
The conscious perception of speech and other sounds depends on processing within a brain region known as the auditory cortex. Compared to other brain areas, relatively little is known about the organization and function of this structure. Recent studies have proposed that the auditory cortex may be anatomically subdivided into functional modules, each of which is specialized for processing different types of information. However, the evidence for multiple processing streams is fragmentary, and n ....The conscious perception of speech and other sounds depends on processing within a brain region known as the auditory cortex. Compared to other brain areas, relatively little is known about the organization and function of this structure. Recent studies have proposed that the auditory cortex may be anatomically subdivided into functional modules, each of which is specialized for processing different types of information. However, the evidence for multiple processing streams is fragmentary, and not entirely consistent. The proposed experiments will combine anatomical and physiological approaches to evaluate the functional organization of auditory cortex in the primate brain. We will map the electrical responses of single brain cells to various complex sounds across the brain surface, and inject dyes to label pathways linking brain areas to one another. The data will allow us to determine whether specific subdivisions of the auditory cortex are specialized for processing different types of infomation, and whether specific subdivisions are linked together to form processing streams specialized for sound recognition and space perception. The results will advance our understanding of the neuronal processing involved in the perception of sound, with possible implications for speech perception. This will help to understand the consequences of brain damage, and may inform the development of hearing aids and artificial voice recognition systems. In addition, this study will help to develop a primate model for studying brain mechanisms of sound recognition that should be useful in research on cochlear implants.Read moreRead less
Brainstem And Hypothalamic Function And Anatomy In Migraine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$652,828.00
Summary
Migraine is a disabling condition characterized by mostly unilateral throbbing head pain and a range of associated neurological symptoms. The underlying mechanisms responsible for the initiation of migraine remains unknown. We aim to determine brain anatomy and activity patterns in migraineurs throughout the migraine cycle. An understanding of the mechanisms responsible for migraine will aid in better treatment development.
High-resolution Brain Imaging Of Basal Ganglia Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,083.00
Summary
This project will develop new methods for high resolution MRI imaging of the human brain. We will assess functions of deep brain areas known as the basal ganglia that play a critical role in movement planning and co-ordination. Dysfunction within the basal ganglia is responsible for the motor impairments seen in people with Parkinson’s disease. In this project, we will examine changes in basal ganglia function and structure that lead to individual differences in movement control and learning.
What Drives Abnormal Cerebral Activity In Secondary Generalised Epilepsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$565,809.00
Summary
Secondary Generalised epilepsy (2GE) is a severe, disabling epilepsy syndrome characterised by childhood onset frequent, treatment resistant seizures and developmental delay. Although one of the four major categories of epilepsy, it is poorly understood. This project uses combined EEG (brainwave testing) and MRI to reveal which brain areas are involved in the epileptic activity of 2GE. Advanced analysis techniques will explore which brain regions initiate 2GE epileptic activity.
Novel Approaches To Improve Cognitive Recovery Following Stroke And Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,724.00
Summary
Stroke and traumatic brain injury costs the Australian economy over $13 billion, annually. Both disorders result in impaired cognition that impedes individuals’ return to the community. Current rehabilitation strategies, however, fail to adequately rehabilitate cognitive deficits following these disorders. My fellowship will develop new strategies to improve rehabilitation of cognitive functions by using cutting-edge neuroimaging and electrophysiological techniques.