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The Final Common Channel: Measurement Of Nerve Excitability In Epilepsy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$301,376.00
Summary
Epilepsy may be due to either one single genetic mutation or a combination of several gene-environment interactions, affecting how ion channels function. It is not possible to directly interrogate channels in the living human brain but, because similar channels are found in peripheral nerve, much may be learned about aberrant channel function from peripheral nerve. This project aims to measure peripheral nerve excitability in epilepsy patients, using it as a marker of the final common pathway of ....Epilepsy may be due to either one single genetic mutation or a combination of several gene-environment interactions, affecting how ion channels function. It is not possible to directly interrogate channels in the living human brain but, because similar channels are found in peripheral nerve, much may be learned about aberrant channel function from peripheral nerve. This project aims to measure peripheral nerve excitability in epilepsy patients, using it as a marker of the final common pathway of channel dysfunction.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Role Of Regulatory T Cells In Chronic Pain Following Nerve Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$587,046.00
Summary
Neuropathic pain is a debilitating condition of chronic pain that develops after damage to the nervous system, and lacks an effective treatment. This project focuses on the novel hypothesis that the immunosupressive regulatory T cells and their mediators play a critical role in controlling neuroinflammation and pain hypersensitivity following peripheral nerve injury. This study promises to enhance our understanding of the neuroimmune activation in neuropathic pain and offers novel approaches for ....Neuropathic pain is a debilitating condition of chronic pain that develops after damage to the nervous system, and lacks an effective treatment. This project focuses on the novel hypothesis that the immunosupressive regulatory T cells and their mediators play a critical role in controlling neuroinflammation and pain hypersensitivity following peripheral nerve injury. This study promises to enhance our understanding of the neuroimmune activation in neuropathic pain and offers novel approaches for pain management.Read moreRead less
Mechanism And Treatment Of Sympathetically Maintained Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$482,962.00
Summary
This project investigates a crucial but neglected element in the mechanism of chronic pain that develops after nerve and tissue injury. In particular, our aim is to establish whether expression of a chemical target of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline increases in the painful skin of affected patients, and whether medication that blocks this target alleviates inflammation and pain. If so, this may open up new avenues for treatment for previously intractable pain syndromes.
The brain exerts a restraining influence over the heartbeat via the vagus nerves. This is known as cardiac vagal ‘tone’. It is strong when we are healthy but weak when we are sick. It has a positive influence on the health of the heart and perhaps the body generally. Vagal tone comes from the brain but, despite over 150 years’ research, nobody knows exactly where. Using a novel technique, we can track down its origins. This important basic knowledge may lead to ways to improve health.
Non-invasive Retinal Vein Pulsation Pressure Measurement: A New Assessment Of Glaucoma Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$557,666.00
Summary
Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness. It is a slowly degenerating disease and the level of treatment required is difficult to predict. At present there is no way of knowing whether the eye is receiving inadequate treatment. We have shown that retinal vein pulsation pressure measurements are an indicator of the likelihood of glaucoma progression. Our proposed studies hope to demonstrate for the first time that it is feasible to determine the appropriate treatment level for indivi ....Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness. It is a slowly degenerating disease and the level of treatment required is difficult to predict. At present there is no way of knowing whether the eye is receiving inadequate treatment. We have shown that retinal vein pulsation pressure measurements are an indicator of the likelihood of glaucoma progression. Our proposed studies hope to demonstrate for the first time that it is feasible to determine the appropriate treatment level for individual patients.Read moreRead less
Molecular Mechanisms Of Dynamin-mediated Endocytosis In Nerve Terminals
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,033,626.00
Summary
Neurons communicate by neurotransmitter release from synaptic vesicles stored in nerve endings. There is a finite vesicle number, so they are recycled (endocytosis) by the protein dynamin. Our aim is to reveal how new vesicles are produced when the brain is under very high activity, to better understand diseases of the synapse like epilepsy. We propose that two forms of the dynamin gene mediate this process, only under conditions of high neuronal firing, such as occurs during a seizure.
Making Sense Of Novel Ocular Neuroimmune Interactions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$436,178.00
Summary
It is becoming clear that the interaction between corneal nerves and immune cells underpin many inflammatory conditions of the ocular surface. Despite this increased interest, very little is known about the relationship between corneal nerves and immune cells in this outermost layer of the eye. This project will investigate the relationship between corneal nerves and immune cells during health and corneal inflammation to identify therapeutic targets to treat corneal disease.
Boosting Mitochondria- A New Approach For Protecting The Aging Optic Nerve In Glaucoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,784.00
Summary
Increasing age is a major risk factor for neurodegeneration. We have recently shown that subjecting mice to intermittent periods of fasting improves mitochondrial function in the retina and reverses age-related decline in optic nerve vulnerability to injury. This project now aims to investigate key molecular pathway for restoring mitochondria and from this attempts to find more palatable therapeutic strategies for protecting the optic nerve from injury.
Endometriosis affects up to 10% of reproductive aged women causing a range of debilitating symptoms including pelvic pain and infertility. Our team has discovered that small nerve fibres can be found in the endometrium of women with endometriosis that are not present in women without the condition. We will investigate how these nerve fibres grow and the mechanisms of pain generation. This will potentially allow the development of more targeted and effective treatment modalities.
An Integrated Approach To Inotropic Support In Preterm Neonates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$694,449.00
Summary
Poor cardiovascular function in preterm babies can lead to inadequate blood flow to the brain and brain injury. Current treatments to improve heart function are often ineffective. This study will examine the effects of treatment on different parts of the cardiovascular system, and how these effects interact. It will identify reasons for the lack of effectiveness and provide insight which will help to design better treatments for preterm babies.