Exercise Reverses Cognitive Decline In Aged Animals By Growth Hormone Stimulation Of Neurogenesis In The Hippocampus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,409.00
Summary
The production of new neurons in the hippocampus plays a critical role in learning and memory. With increasing age, this production slows and is associated with cognitive decline. However the stem cells that make new neurons are still present, and we have discovered that exercise activates these cells, leading to renewed neuron production and reversal of cognitive decline. We will explore how this process is regulated in order to develop strategies to reduce cognitive decline in humans.
Mechanisms And Consequences Of Cholinergic Signaling In Neocortical Pyramidal Neurons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$258,000.00
Summary
Dementia, including Alzheimer s Disease, represents the second highest non-fatal disease burden in Australia. Modern theories suggest that cognitive deficits associated with disorders such as Alzheimer s Disease result in part from impairment of the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Despite the obvious importance of acetylcholine in brain function, there is currently a lack of basic knowledge regarding how this chemical works at the cellular level. We have recently discovered that ac ....Dementia, including Alzheimer s Disease, represents the second highest non-fatal disease burden in Australia. Modern theories suggest that cognitive deficits associated with disorders such as Alzheimer s Disease result in part from impairment of the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Despite the obvious importance of acetylcholine in brain function, there is currently a lack of basic knowledge regarding how this chemical works at the cellular level. We have recently discovered that acetylcholine produces opposing phasic and tonic actions on the excitability of brain cells in the cortex. The data collected in this study will reveal the receptor type, intracellular signalling pathways, and ionic mechanisms through which acetylcholine influences information processing in the brain. Together, these results will provide a framework for understanding the biological basis by which acetylcholine influences cognitive function. This new knowledge will in turn increase our understanding of why dysfunction of this important neurotransmitter system leads to the functional deficits observed in Alzheimer s Disease and other forms of dementia, and will hopefully suggest new targets for therapeutic intervention.Read moreRead less
Ascending Control Of Behavioural State And Cognition - Role Of Nucleus Incertus And Relaxin-3 Transmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,356.00
Summary
Mental illness and dementia are significant social and economic burdens worldwide and knowledge of their underlying causes and more effective therapies are required. Our research aims to use pre-clinical models to characterize a little studied neuronal network implicated in control of brain theta rhythm activity, which could lead to improved treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases such as anxiety and depression, and degenerative cognitive decline.
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.
The Identification And Treatment Of Cognitive And Social Deficits In Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,073.00
Summary
Cognitive, learning and social difficulties are frequently reported in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). There is an absence of research into the underlying causes of social problems in NF1 and only a handful of studies have reported on therapeutic possibilities. We will examine the relationship between theory of mind, ADHD, cognition and social functioning in NF1. We will also evaluate the efficacy of Ritalin as a treatment of cognition and social skills in NF1.
Sleep Disordered Breathing And Neurocognitive Function In Children Post-adenotonsillectomy: Three Year Follow-up
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$266,536.00
Summary
Snoring is very common and affects at least 10% of children, or an estimated 0.25 million children in Australia. It is associated with deficits in a wide range of neurocognitive areas including intelligence, memory, reasoning, learning and behaviour. We have recently studied a group of 53 snoring children both before and six months after removal of their tonsils and adenoids, to treat suspected upper airway obstruction associated with their snoring. We found that prior to surgery, intelligence, ....Snoring is very common and affects at least 10% of children, or an estimated 0.25 million children in Australia. It is associated with deficits in a wide range of neurocognitive areas including intelligence, memory, reasoning, learning and behaviour. We have recently studied a group of 53 snoring children both before and six months after removal of their tonsils and adenoids, to treat suspected upper airway obstruction associated with their snoring. We found that prior to surgery, intelligence, memory, reasoning, language and behaviour were significantly reduced, by up to 10% compared to 53 non-snoring control children matched by age, gender, social class and area of residence. To our great surprise, at six months after surgery we found that although sleep and behaviour improves, intelligence, memory, reasoning and language development do not. We now wish to study these same children at 3 years after tonsils and adenoids removal, as we believe that if the deficits that we described at 6 months are still present, they are likely now to be permanent. Given the degree of deficit that we have found in snoring compared to non-snoring children, even 6 months after the snoring group of children have been treated, if still present at 3 years post-surgery then it is likely that these deficits will affect the children's future learning potential and academic success. In turn, this would suggest that early identification and treatment of sleep-related upper airway obstruction is critical in preventing long-term deficits in children's daytime functioning and behaviour.Read moreRead less
Gene-environment Interactions And Synaptic Plasticity In The Developing And Dysfunctional Cerebral Cortex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,026.00
Summary
The cerebral cortex contains many billions of neurons, which are interconnected by trillions of synapses, to form networks underlying our most complex brain functions. It is only after birth, with environmental stimulation, that diverse brain functions begin to emerge. We are interested in the mechanisms whereby the genetic programme regulating maturation of the cerebral cortex is sculpted by interaction with the environment, as well as ongoing gene-environment interactions and mechanisms of pla ....The cerebral cortex contains many billions of neurons, which are interconnected by trillions of synapses, to form networks underlying our most complex brain functions. It is only after birth, with environmental stimulation, that diverse brain functions begin to emerge. We are interested in the mechanisms whereby the genetic programme regulating maturation of the cerebral cortex is sculpted by interaction with the environment, as well as ongoing gene-environment interactions and mechanisms of plasticity in postnatal brain. Many brain disorders, including schizophrenia, autism, epilepsy, Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease, involve abnormal development or function of the cerebral cortex. Our group has recently demonstrated that onset and progression of Huntington's disease, previously considered the epitome of genetic determinism, can be modulated by environmental factors, suggesting that all brain disorders must involve gene-environment interactions. In this project we are focusing on a specific molecular pathway which processes information from the environment and induces experience-dependent changes in the structure and function of neurons in cerebral cortex. We know that the molecular pathway we are examining has been linked to schizophrenia, a disorder of brain development, and we are attempting to understand how disruption of these molecular pathways can lead to the abnormal brain development and plasticity seen in this disease. We hope to discover neurobiological mechanisms which provide integrative understanding at the level of molecules, networks of neurons, and behaviour, in mouse models of brain disorders with disruption of specific genes, receiving different types of environmental stimulation. Analysing normal mice in this project will also provide new information on mechanisms of plasticity in the healthy cerebral cortex, that may underlie higher brain functions such as learning, which occurs throughout postnatal life, and memory.Read moreRead less
Fibroblast Growth Factors In The Development Of Forebrain Commissures
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$497,796.00
Summary
In order to function correctly the two hemispheres of the brain must communicate information. This communication occurs across large fibre tracts called commissures. There are three commissural projections in the forebrain; the corpus callosum, the hippocampal commissure and the anterior commissure. Here we investigate the development of these commissures and provide a comprehensive analysis of the role of several secreted, fibroblast growth factor proteins, in their development.
Dependent drug use is associated with a range of physical and mental health problems. However the process by which drug-related changes to the human brain influence behaviours important to remaining abstinent is poorly understood. The current proposal investigates the neural and behavioural effects of drug dependence on cognitive control - responsible for impulse control and decision making - previously implicated in drug dependence.