Viability And Efficacy Of Implantable Biopolymer Based Anticonvulsant Delivery Systems In Rat Models Of Focal Epilepsy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$64,631.00
Summary
Recurrent seizures arising from abnormal brain activity are call epilepsy. Presently, epilepsy is treated using medicines by mouth. These often cause side effects affecting other body systems such as liver. Such effects can make patients ill or prevent them using particular drugs for epilepsy. Developing ways to deliver epilepsy medication directly to brain may allow better control of epileptic seizures with fewer side effects. We hope to develop a new such system using rats with epilepsy.
I am a neuroscientist, studying fundamental mechanisms related to addiction. A major feature of my research is the neuropharmacological characterisation of potential novel therapeutic strategies to combat drug-seeking behaviour
I am a physiologist-pharmacologist examining fundamental mechanisms of chronic inflammatory disease. By defining these mechanisms, I seek to discover the underlying cause of disease and to identify novel strategies for diagnosis and therapy of chronic diseases that are worldwide causes of morbidity and mortality.
Dissecting The Role Of Cortico-striatal Circuitry On Habit Formation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Decisions are made based on actions and outcomes, but over time repeated actions become habits. They are no longer determined by outcomes and are dysfunctional in many disorders such as OCD, addiction and Tourette’s syndrome. How the brain changes during habit formation is not known. I will characterise the role of a specific neural circuit to determine how it influences habit development. This will improve our knowledge of normal learning processes and help us understand habitual dysfunction.
Tailoring Adjunct Glycine Therapy In Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,353.00
Summary
‘Glycine’ is an amino acid that can be purchased ‘over the counter’ at health food shops in Australia. Although traditionally administered as a dietary supplement, recently there has been considerable excitement in the psychiatric community due to its ability to improve schizophrenia symptoms when administered in conjunction with mainstream medications. However, two issues need to be resolved in order for glycine to be employed as a routine therapy in schizophrenia. Firstly, this treatment is on ....‘Glycine’ is an amino acid that can be purchased ‘over the counter’ at health food shops in Australia. Although traditionally administered as a dietary supplement, recently there has been considerable excitement in the psychiatric community due to its ability to improve schizophrenia symptoms when administered in conjunction with mainstream medications. However, two issues need to be resolved in order for glycine to be employed as a routine therapy in schizophrenia. Firstly, this treatment is only effective in some patients, and we have no way of determining which patients will benefit from glycine. Secondly, there are both theoretical reasons and experimental evidence that glycine administration can cause severe impairment for some individuals. Thus although there is great potential for glycine to ease the burden of schizophrenia symptoms, these two issues need to be resolved before this possibility can be actualised. Theoretical considerations, supported by pilot research of the investigators, point to the view that schizophrenia patients’ baseline glycine level is the critical factor that determines whether a patient will benefit or be impaired by glycine therapy. This thesis offers a testable means with which to resolve the above limitations to the use of glycine. The purpose of the current research program is thus to provide the basis for rational prescription of glycine as an additional therapeutic tool in schizophrenia.Read moreRead less
Identification And Characterization Of Novel Bioactive Peptides From Australian Conesnails Targeting Pain Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,803.00
Summary
In recent years, significant advances have been made in the identification of new targets in the central or peripheral nervous systems which may be used to develop new pain killers. However, molecules specifically targeting these receptors and channels are lacking to date. This project will use novel cell-based approaches to find new molecules from conesnails which specifically target receptors involved in pain. These will be useful to increase our understanding of the mechanisms of pain.
Developing Novel Neuroreceptor And Channel Therapies For Pain And Addiction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$808,375.00
Summary
Chronic pain is a growing and poorly treated global health burden. There is a great need for novel pain therapeutics. We are discovering novel drug targets in pain pathways in the nervous system and new therapeutic molecules that selectively block information flow in pain nerves. Strong pain relieving drugs like morphine also lose their effectiveness after long periods of use. We are finding mechanisms responsible for this thereby providing a rational basis for development of better opioids and ....Chronic pain is a growing and poorly treated global health burden. There is a great need for novel pain therapeutics. We are discovering novel drug targets in pain pathways in the nervous system and new therapeutic molecules that selectively block information flow in pain nerves. Strong pain relieving drugs like morphine also lose their effectiveness after long periods of use. We are finding mechanisms responsible for this thereby providing a rational basis for development of better opioids and pain treatments.Read moreRead less
Biological And Psychological Health Indices Of Ecstasy/polydrug Users: Testing The Bioenergetic Stress Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,015.00
Summary
Use of Ecstasy is increasing in both Australia and the United Kingdom, and is related to poorer psychological and mental functioning in the long-term, suggesting Ecstasy use negatively impacts human physiology producing deficits in aspects of mental functioning. This project aims to assess the effect of weekend use and lifetime use of ecstasy upon measures of physiology and psychology. Findings from these studies may contribute to strategies to reduce the harm associated with Ecstasy use.