Visualisation Of Functionally Activated Circuitry In The Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,036.00
Summary
We are seeking to develop a method to precisely determine which parts of the brain are involved in the carrying out of different brain functions. The main advantage of our new method will be that we will be able to directly visualise the circuitry involved in a specified brain function. The brain is like a vast computer, with literally billions of connections between different parts, and it is these connections which are used to form functional circuits, which ultimately result in the brain cont ....We are seeking to develop a method to precisely determine which parts of the brain are involved in the carrying out of different brain functions. The main advantage of our new method will be that we will be able to directly visualise the circuitry involved in a specified brain function. The brain is like a vast computer, with literally billions of connections between different parts, and it is these connections which are used to form functional circuits, which ultimately result in the brain control of bodily function. Up until now, there has been no direct way of being able to directly visualise which of those billions of connections are involved in the formation of a circuit for any particular brain function. We plan to use a genetic approach to help to visualise functionally activated brain circuits. We know that some genes are turned on in the nerve cells which are activated during a brain function. We will use this knowledge to generate a new line of genetically engineered mice. In these mice, the genes which are turned on during brain activation will in turn be used to turn on special markers which will light up the activated circuits. This will be of great signficance in our understanding of brain function. It should also help us to understand what happens to these circuits in different diseases of the brain, such as following stroke, in senility, and Alzheimer's disease.Read moreRead less
Cognitive Control And Brain Connectivity Disturbances In Schizophrenia And Obsessive-compulsive: Clarifying Their Nature, Specificity, And Consequences
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$498,337.00
Summary
Deficits of behavioural control are chronic and debilitating features of both schizophrenia and OCD. As behavioural control depends on activity within many key regions of the brain, these deficits may result not only from dysfunction within one or more region, but also from abnormal interactions between them. By studying how the activity in one region depends on another, and comparing findings between disorders, a better understanding of brain function in schizophrenia and OCD can be established
Determining The Cognitive Sequelae Of Adolescent Cannabis Use: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$259,731.00
Summary
Adult cannabis users have problems with memory and attention, but it is not known to what extent these cognitive deficits relate to premorbid intellectual functioning or underlying personality features. Further, it is not known to what extent cannabis use during adolescence (when the brain is still developing), may lead to greater cognitive impairment. This study will directly address these questions utilising a large sample of adolescents followed since entry to high school.
Factors Determining Collapsibility Of The Human Upper Airway During Sleep And General Anaesthesia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$259,625.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is common, affecting between 2-4% of middle-aged adults. It is characterised by repetitive partial or complete collapse of the upper airway during sleep. Each episode is accompanied by transient hypoxemia, hypertension and arousal. The repetitive arousals disrupt sleep resulting in excessive daytime tiredness and lethargy, which have major consequences for social well-being and productivity in our community. OSA is an independent risk factor for vascular disease. C ....Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is common, affecting between 2-4% of middle-aged adults. It is characterised by repetitive partial or complete collapse of the upper airway during sleep. Each episode is accompanied by transient hypoxemia, hypertension and arousal. The repetitive arousals disrupt sleep resulting in excessive daytime tiredness and lethargy, which have major consequences for social well-being and productivity in our community. OSA is an independent risk factor for vascular disease. Central to understanding OSA is knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for vulnerability to upper airway collapse. It remains unclear to what extent this vulnerability relates to abnormalities in the underlying structure and passive physical characteristics of the upper airway, versus abnormalities in activity of upper airway muscles. Making this distinction has been problematic because current methods of testing upper airway collapsibility in sleeping humans tend to result in changes in muscle activity and-or sleep state, affecting the measurements. It is, however, possible to suppress upper airway muscle activity and eliminate measurement-related changes in muscle activity and state with general anaesthesia, while maintaining normal spontaneous breathing. We have developed and refined this method and propose to use it in novel investigations to (a) relate the behaviour of the flaccid airway (no muscle activity) under anaesthesia to its behaviour during sleep (when muscle activity is variable but quantifiable), and (b) determine the effect of changes in body habitus (posture and lung volume) on airway collapsibility. These studies will allow examination of the exciting possibility that measurements made under brief general anaesthesia could be used to define propensity to obstruction during sleep. They will also allow examination of the contribution of common changes in body habitus toward vulnerability to upper airway collapse.Read moreRead less
Exertional Dyspnoea With Increased Filling Pressure - Mechanisms And Treatment Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,793.00
Summary
Patients with early heart disease often present with shortness of breath with exercise, as myocardial reserve at that stage is usually sufficient to maintain normal function at rest . Indeed, much myocardial dysfunction may originate from the modern lifestyle, including inactivity, obesity, the metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. The potential benefits of making a definitive early diagnosis are large, because it seems more likely that an impact can be made on the disease process (and theref ....Patients with early heart disease often present with shortness of breath with exercise, as myocardial reserve at that stage is usually sufficient to maintain normal function at rest . Indeed, much myocardial dysfunction may originate from the modern lifestyle, including inactivity, obesity, the metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. The potential benefits of making a definitive early diagnosis are large, because it seems more likely that an impact can be made on the disease process (and therefore, outcome) than with late stage disease. Current treatment strategies are expensive and because they are directed at end-organ damage (heart failure, heart attacks etc), rather ineffective. This multispecialty, multidisciplinary group will undertake a series of unique studies aimed at identifying early cardiovascular disease. The strategy will involve detection of abnormal filling behaviour at stress echocardiography, with randomization into longterm and short-term trials to examine various therapeutic strategies. Sensitive new cardiovascular imaging techniques will be used to detect preclinical abnormalities in the structure and function of the heart and vasculature, facilitating a mechanistic understanding of the process of increasing filling pressure with exercise.Read moreRead less
Endothelial Cell Membrane Stabilisation: Deciphering Protective Mechanisms Against Cerebral Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,319.00
Summary
Each year 3.2 billion people are exposed to the threat of malaria, resulting in about 2 million deaths annually. Deaths due to malaria often result from complications that affect the brain; this is called cerebral malaria . We still do not understand enough about the changes that cause cerebral malaria, so this project will investigate some new ideas about how cerebral malaria develops. Our aim is to identify new therapeutic targets that could help people survive this fatal disease.
A Program Of Research Addressing The Transition From Health To Advanced Cardiovascular Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$13,017,057.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death and disability in Australia and worldwide. This burden will increase without new knowledge. We will address knowledge gaps that delay more effective prevention and control. Our team has a strong track record of influencing clinical practice of CVD prevention, treatment and technology transfer. For many, the first indication of a heart problem is sudden heart attack or death. By understanding mechanisms we aim to develop new tests and treat ....Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death and disability in Australia and worldwide. This burden will increase without new knowledge. We will address knowledge gaps that delay more effective prevention and control. Our team has a strong track record of influencing clinical practice of CVD prevention, treatment and technology transfer. For many, the first indication of a heart problem is sudden heart attack or death. By understanding mechanisms we aim to develop new tests and treatments that prevent heart attack, heart failure and other serious consequences of atherosclerosis.Read moreRead less