If stem cell transplantation is to be useful to repair brain injury, advancement must be made to improve the delivery, survival and differentiation of transplanted cells so that they can sufficiently integrate into the host brain. Here, self-assembling peptides will be developed to provide physical and biochemical support for stem cells and neurones in cell culture (which may be useful for drug discovery) and following transplantation into the injured brain.
RESTORING COGNITIVE FUNCTION USING BRAIN STIMULATION: Investigating The Neurobiological And Neurocognitive Effects Of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation In Schizophrenia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,556.00
Summary
Cognitive impairments are a core feature of schizophrenia and can have devastating impacts on daily functioning. Despite this, treatment options are few and of limited effectiveness. Recent research, including my own work, has indicated that brain stimulation has considerable potential in this regard. In this fellowship I will develop a treatment approach which will utilise brain stimulation to target and modify the underlying neurobiology of the cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia.
Dysfunction of the nervous system plays an important role in the symptoms of many respiratory diseases. For example, excessive non-productive coughing, elevated mucous secretion, reduced airway patency and hyperreactivity are all characteristic symptoms of diseases such as asthma and all involve over-activity of the nervous system. This research aims to understand the neural circuitry that is involved in controlling the airways and the mechanisms that underlie how this circuitry can become dysfu ....Dysfunction of the nervous system plays an important role in the symptoms of many respiratory diseases. For example, excessive non-productive coughing, elevated mucous secretion, reduced airway patency and hyperreactivity are all characteristic symptoms of diseases such as asthma and all involve over-activity of the nervous system. This research aims to understand the neural circuitry that is involved in controlling the airways and the mechanisms that underlie how this circuitry can become dysfunctional.Read moreRead less
The Search For Novel Therapeutic Targets For The Treatment Of Chronic Pain.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Chronic pain is very common, with one in five Australians suffering long-term pain that is serious enough to cause disability. It is extraordinarily difficult to treat. Medicines used to treat normal pain symptoms are usually ineffective on chronic pain patients because the cause of the pain is different. The aim of this project is to identify new drug targets in the spinal cord that are specific for chronic pain so we can develop new medicines to reverse the symptoms safely and effectively.
Modifiable Risks And Interventions For Cognitive Decline, Depression And Dementia In Older People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,055.00
Summary
This research proposal will explore the modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline (ie. changes in memory and thinking functions) in older people. It will examine the pertinence of critical contributors to glial-neuronal networks including depression, cardiovascular disease, sleep-wake systems, mental and physical exercise, inflammatory processes and diet, as well as test interventions that target these risk factors. It will use sophisticated brain scanning methods to examine which factors pr ....This research proposal will explore the modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline (ie. changes in memory and thinking functions) in older people. It will examine the pertinence of critical contributors to glial-neuronal networks including depression, cardiovascular disease, sleep-wake systems, mental and physical exercise, inflammatory processes and diet, as well as test interventions that target these risk factors. It will use sophisticated brain scanning methods to examine which factors promote neuroplasticity.Read moreRead less
The Role Of The Zinc Finger Transcriptional Repressor Znf238 During Nerve Cell Maturation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,264.00
Summary
Proper foetal brain assembly is critical for brain function, but the underlying genetic mechanisms remain poorly defined. In this study, I will investigate a family of proteins that “turn on” neural gene expression in combination with another protein that “turns off” their expression during nerve cell development. Understanding this novel on/off mechanism for controlling gene expression in newborn nerve cells will further our understanding of how the brain is assembled.
Cell Therapy For Functional Reconstruction Of Damaged Brain Circuitry
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
Unlike many organs in the body, the brain has an extremely limited capacity to repair itself when damaged. A promising approach for repairing the damaged brain, as may occur through neurodegenerative disease or traumatic brain injury, is to replace the cells lost to the injury by transplanting new ones directly into the brain of the patient. This research proposal involves the use of stem cells to repair damage to the brain caused by Parkinson's disease, stroke or traumatic brain injury.