Brain Injury In The Premature Born Infant: Stem Cell Regeneration Research Network
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,587.00
Summary
This project will validate to the stage of clinical trials a human mesenchymal stem cell paradigm to prevent brain injury associated with preterm birth: encephalopathy of prematurity (EoP), which leads to lifelong disability in millions of infants every year. We will achieve this by applying our vast expertise in EoP, across 7 in vivo and 11 in vitro models of EoP, by applying cutting-edge imaging approaches and partnering with experienced patient/consumer advocacy and industry partners.
Contribution Of Systemic Inflammatory Response To Brain Injury In Growth Restricted Newborns
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$363,388.00
Summary
Growth restriction during pregnancy can damage the baby’s brain and result in poor outcomes such as learning and attention difficulties and cerebral palsy. Currently there is no treatment available to prevent brain injury in these babies. This study will explore the role of inflammation and brain injury in the growth restricted baby. We will also examine whether a readily available and safe anti-inflammatory treatment can reduce or prevent brain injury following growth restriction.
Supporting A Friend: The Role Of The Molecular Scaffold CoREST Family In Chromatin Regulation And Neuroprotection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,802.00
Summary
In diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and motor neuron disease, neurons degenerate and die. One contributing factor to neuronal death is inflammation. The aim of this study is to identify mechanisms that protect neurons from death. This project focuses on the role of a family of proteins (CoREST1-3) that function to reverse gene expression changes in inflammation that lead to neurodegeneration.
Neuroprotection Against Parkinson’s Disease With Remote Photobiomodulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,818.00
Summary
Treating the head of rodents with low-intensity 670nm light protects against Parkinson’s disease (PD), but the large size of the human skull and brain precludes clinical translation of this treatment. We have discovered that the brain is also protected when light is targeted at peripheral tissues (e.g. a limb), overcoming problems of delivery. This project aims to optimise this treatment and better understand how it works, to lay the scientific basis for a clinical trial.