Molecular Pathogenesis Of Amino Acid Neurotransmission In Human Chronic Alcoholism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$378,750.00
Summary
Brain damage resulting from long-term alcohol abuse is localized to discrete regions of the brain, and may selectively affect certain specific functions of nerve cells. It appears that alcoholism affects processes which control the excitability in discrete regions of the brain, and hence can cause them to be over-stimulated. It is known that if brain cells are excessively stimulated for long periods, they are in danger of being killed. This study will determine how the tissue s capacity to proce ....Brain damage resulting from long-term alcohol abuse is localized to discrete regions of the brain, and may selectively affect certain specific functions of nerve cells. It appears that alcoholism affects processes which control the excitability in discrete regions of the brain, and hence can cause them to be over-stimulated. It is known that if brain cells are excessively stimulated for long periods, they are in danger of being killed. This study will determine how the tissue s capacity to process glutamate, the brain s major natural excitant, is altered in the regions which are selectively damaged in alcoholics. How these processes are affected by heredity, and by diseases commonly associated with alcoholism such as cirrhosis of the liver, will also be explored. An understanding of how selective brain damage occurs in alcoholics will help us to devise new drug therapies to combat and prevent it. As well, selective brain damage is found in a great many neurological diseases, so this study will provide a model which may help to dene general processes which give rise to localised neurological damageRead moreRead less
Distribution Of Neurotransmitter Receptors On Identified Cell Populations In The Primate Retina
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,812.00
Summary
Neurons (nerve cells) communicate with each other by releasing chemicals called neurotransmitters at specialized sites called synapses. Each neuron has synaptic receptors, which determine how it will respond to neurotransmitters released by other neurons. The molecular structure and function of these receptors is well understood. Much less is known about the rules that govern which receptor types are expressed by each type of neuron, and how these receptors are distributed to the appropriate syn ....Neurons (nerve cells) communicate with each other by releasing chemicals called neurotransmitters at specialized sites called synapses. Each neuron has synaptic receptors, which determine how it will respond to neurotransmitters released by other neurons. The molecular structure and function of these receptors is well understood. Much less is known about the rules that govern which receptor types are expressed by each type of neuron, and how these receptors are distributed to the appropriate synapses so as to allow the normal function of the nervous system. We will study the distribution of neurotransmitter receptors on identified neurons in the retina. The retina is part of the central nervous system and its highly ordered structure makes it an ideal model nervous system. We will compare the distribution of receptors on neurons that play distinct functional roles in colour and movement detection. These experiments will advance our understanding of the normal functioning of the nervous system.Read moreRead less