The Cystine Glutamate Antiporter And Classical Glutamate Transporters In Normal And Pathological Brains And Retinae
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$416,000.00
Summary
This project will examine the role of a system that transports a toxic neurotransmitter, glutamate out of cells where it is relatively harmless, into the space surrounding nerve cells where it can be highly toxic. Previous models for the aberrant release of glutamate under pathological conditions such as strokes, have relied on the notion that other specialised glutamate transporters which normally work to remove glutamate from the space surrounding nerve cells, actually reverse their direction ....This project will examine the role of a system that transports a toxic neurotransmitter, glutamate out of cells where it is relatively harmless, into the space surrounding nerve cells where it can be highly toxic. Previous models for the aberrant release of glutamate under pathological conditions such as strokes, have relied on the notion that other specialised glutamate transporters which normally work to remove glutamate from the space surrounding nerve cells, actually reverse their direction of action and release glutamate. The current study investigates a transport system (called the cystine-glutamate antiporter) where the normal direction of action is to release glutamate. This system has been overlooked despite evidence that it could be involved in releasing glutamate and thus contribute to the death of nerve cells in a variety of human pathologies including glaucoma of the eye, epilepsy, and brain damage that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, such as after a heart attack. This study examines both human tissues and animal models of disease states to determine if similar transport systems are present and if the cystine-glutamate antiporter might contribute to human nervous diseases. The function and distribution of the cystine-glutamate antiporter will be compared with classical transporters, under normal and pathological conditions, including situations where we have shown that it is possible to experimentally perturb normal glutamate transporter expression.Read moreRead less
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors: Pharmacological Studies Of Receptor Subtypes In Neuronal Injury.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$145,770.00
Summary
Glutamate is the major transmitter of excitatory information in the mammalian brain. Disruption of glutamate-mediated signaling between brain cells results in high extracellular levels of glutamate which is toxic to neurones. A recently discovered family of signal transducers, the metabotropic glutamate receptors, has been found to be localized on neurones and is switched on by these toxic glutamate levels. The roles of these metabotropic glutamate receptors in neurotoxicity is essentially unexp ....Glutamate is the major transmitter of excitatory information in the mammalian brain. Disruption of glutamate-mediated signaling between brain cells results in high extracellular levels of glutamate which is toxic to neurones. A recently discovered family of signal transducers, the metabotropic glutamate receptors, has been found to be localized on neurones and is switched on by these toxic glutamate levels. The roles of these metabotropic glutamate receptors in neurotoxicity is essentially unexplored and is the topic under investigation in this project. How their activation affects cellular signaling switch on will be investigated to gain an understanding of the roles metabotropic glutamate receptors play in acute brain injury (eg stroke) and chronic neurodegenerative conditions (eg Huntington's chorea and Alzheimer's disease).Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Sympathetic Vasomotor Function By Brain Angiotensin: Cell-specific Modulation Of Function In Vivo.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,975.00
Summary
Adequate blood pressure is necessary for normal function. High blood pressure occurs in a proportion of the human population and causes many diseases such as stroke and heart failure. The factors producing high blood pressure are not known for most people who have this condition. We are investigating the role of the brain in the regulation of blood pressure and in this application we are testing whether increased activity in certain brain regions can cause high blood pressure.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Couple-based Program For The Transition To Parenthood.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$553,750.00
Summary
Couples who become parents face a very important and potentially very rewarding task: working together to raise their child. The current research evaluates the effects of a couple-based education program for people having their first child. The program helps couples develop realistic expectations about parenthood and effective ways of supporting each other as parents. The program also helps partners to understand and promote positive infant development, to enhance their couple communication, and ....Couples who become parents face a very important and potentially very rewarding task: working together to raise their child. The current research evaluates the effects of a couple-based education program for people having their first child. The program helps couples develop realistic expectations about parenthood and effective ways of supporting each other as parents. The program also helps partners to understand and promote positive infant development, to enhance their couple communication, and to promote a positive couple relationship while parenting. The program is offered through one face-to-face workshop held during the late stage of pregnancy, and then a home-based learning package consisting of a mix of videotaped information packages, reading and telephone based sessions with a psychologist. The overall aim is to produce an easily accessible support program for new parents that will enhance a couple's relationship with each other and their child. It is hoped this will reduce problems and enhance enjoyment of people becoming parents.Read moreRead less
The Significance Of Glial Dysfunction In Retinopathy Of Prematurity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,567.00
Summary
Abnormalities in cells at the back of the eye called photoreceptors are associated with at least 50% of all cases of blindness in this country.This project will determine whether substances released from dying photoreceptors cause the death of neighbouring cells. In addition we will examine whether treatments that block the actions of these released substances can prevent the death of photoreceptors, thereby providing a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of devastating eye diseases.