Axon Degeneration And Axon Protection In CNS Disease And Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,120.00
Summary
One of the major reasons for the clinical symptoms of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Motor Neuron Disease is the loss of connections between the nerve cells. Nerve cells are connected by specialized processes called axons. In disease these processes can breakdown. This project specifically looks at how axons break down in disease and tests therapeutic strategies to protect them.
The Role Of Excitotoxicity In Mediating Distal Axonal Degneration In ALS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,952.00
Summary
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the major cause of motor neuron disease, is a devastating diseasse for which there is no cure. There have been significant advances in understanding the pathology of ALS yet we still don’t know what causes the dying back of spinal motor neurons. We have new evidence that suggests that ALS may, in part, be caused by excitotoxcity - or over stimulation - of neurons in the spinal cord. We will follow this lead using a range of cutting edge experimental models.