In Vivo Analysis Of The Molecular And Neural Mechanism That Underly An Association Of MiRNAs With Mental Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,778.00
Summary
Genetic studies on autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression suggest that these disorders affect the formation and maintenance of connections between neurons. A group of brain-specific microRNAs, which are regulatory molecules, are predicted to regulate connectivity. Levels of these molecules are found to be abnormal in brains of patients with schizophrenia. This proposal aims to elucidate the function of these microRNAs in the number of neuronal connections, and early motor b ....Genetic studies on autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression suggest that these disorders affect the formation and maintenance of connections between neurons. A group of brain-specific microRNAs, which are regulatory molecules, are predicted to regulate connectivity. Levels of these molecules are found to be abnormal in brains of patients with schizophrenia. This proposal aims to elucidate the function of these microRNAs in the number of neuronal connections, and early motor behavior in transgenic zebrafish.Read moreRead less
Decoding Conserved Mechanisms That Control Neuronal Migration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,950.00
Summary
During brain development, nerve cells interact with each other and their surrounding environment through a forest of molecules that are essential for precise cellular communication. Deficient signaling between these molecules causes defects in development and leads to disease. By employing genetic and biochemical approaches we propose to identify new mechanisms through which the brain develops, to better understand how brain diseases such as epilepsy and schizophrenia occur.