One of the main trends in the evolution of the primate brain was the huge expansion of the cortical areas devoted to visual processing. However, the exact role of individual areas remains highly controversial, making detailed physiological and anatomical studies in suitable primate models a key step to elucidating their function in the human brain. In this project, we will address the organization of a poorly known group of visual areas, which is located deep in a part of the brain called the in ....One of the main trends in the evolution of the primate brain was the huge expansion of the cortical areas devoted to visual processing. However, the exact role of individual areas remains highly controversial, making detailed physiological and anatomical studies in suitable primate models a key step to elucidating their function in the human brain. In this project, we will address the organization of a poorly known group of visual areas, which is located deep in a part of the brain called the interhemispheric fissure (the medial complex of visual areas). Preliminary evidence suggests that these areas may provide anatomical shortcuts linking vision, behavioural reactions, and emotion. Suppose, for example, that you are sitting outside reading. Although deep in concentration, you are still able to detect the sudden movement of an approaching object in your peripheral field of vision. In many cases you can react (e.g., by ducking , or raising your arms to protect the face) long before you register what the object actually is. An adrenaline rush often accompanies these quick motor reactions, implying a parallel activation of the autonomic nervous system. While the mechanism by which the brain promotes these quick reactions remains poorly understood, we believe that the medial complex of visual areas holds the key. The aim of this study is to map the anatomical framework underlying our ability to react to sudden stimuli in our peripheral visual field. Such work is fundamental for understanding the functional organization of the brain. It also has the potential to lay the groundwork for developments in areas of applied research, including medicine (e.g. the design of better rehabilitation strategies for people with brain damage) and the cognitive sciences (e.g. a better understanding of the factors that limit human responses to visual stimuli).Read moreRead less
The Incidence And Predictors Of Foot Disease Hospitalisation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Foot disease seems to be a much larger cause of hospitalisation than first thought. This research program aims to study for the first ever time the annual incidence of foot disease hospitalisation and develop models to predict which patients with foot disease are likely to be hospitalised or die. We believe this research will help clinicians, researchers and governments from around the world to measure, predict and prevent foot disease hospitalisation in their nations for the first time.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989703
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Multiphoton microscope for cellular imaging in live animals. The proposed facility will for the first time allow scientists across Sydney to monitor cell function in intact brain and muscle tissues. The novel optical approach combines fluorescent markers with sophisticated microscopy. The presence of this facility will allow Australian scientists to design new approaches to fundamental biological questions concerning cellular function within the normal environment. In addition this facility wi ....Multiphoton microscope for cellular imaging in live animals. The proposed facility will for the first time allow scientists across Sydney to monitor cell function in intact brain and muscle tissues. The novel optical approach combines fluorescent markers with sophisticated microscopy. The presence of this facility will allow Australian scientists to design new approaches to fundamental biological questions concerning cellular function within the normal environment. In addition this facility will allow PhD and post-doctoral scientists to train and have access to a rapidly developing and cutting edge approach to biological problems.Read moreRead less
Developing Improved Management For Peripheral Artery Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$569,219.00
Summary
~1 million Australians have peripheral artery disease. The current application is for a Practitioner Fellowship to support my research aimed at improving care of artery disease. The aim of the work is to develop improved management approaches for patients with blocked and weakened arteries. This work is particularly important given the recognised management deficiencies for patients with artery disease and the relative little research being undertaken in this area.
How Amyloid Causes Neurodegeneration: The Role Of Transthyretin In Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$618,950.00
Summary
This project seeks to understand the biochemical basis of nerve degeneration in a disease known as familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy. This disease is caused by a protein known as transthyretin, which is abnormally deposited around nerves and causes nerve damage. The project is highly likely to provide clues which help us understand some related dementia causing diseases like Alzheimer's disease and prion diseases such as scrapie and mad cow disease.
Does The Complement System Contribute To Neuropathic Pain?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$262,958.00
Summary
Nerve injury often results in increased sensitivity to painful stimuli and the perception of innocuous stimuli as painful; it may also result in spontaneous pain. These disorders of pain sensation due to nerve injury are common, debilitating and difficult to treat. They are symptoms of neuropathic pain. Pain is normally signalled to the brain by sensory nerve cells called nociceptors. Following nerve injury, nociceptors are sensitised by chemicals released by inflammatory cells. This contributes ....Nerve injury often results in increased sensitivity to painful stimuli and the perception of innocuous stimuli as painful; it may also result in spontaneous pain. These disorders of pain sensation due to nerve injury are common, debilitating and difficult to treat. They are symptoms of neuropathic pain. Pain is normally signalled to the brain by sensory nerve cells called nociceptors. Following nerve injury, nociceptors are sensitised by chemicals released by inflammatory cells. This contributes to neuropathic pain. We have evidence that inflammatory responses play a key role in initiating neuropathic pain. Other evidence suggests that the immune system contributes to neurological diseases and accompanying pain (e.g. Guillain-Barr syndrome and multiple sclerosis). We plan to test the idea that a component of the immune system known as the complement pathway contributes to the development of neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve injury. The outcome of this work will be a better understanding of the way in which nerve injury leads to chronic disorders of pain, including increased sensitivity to painful stimuli. This will lead in turn to the development of more effective treatments for neuropathic pain.Read moreRead less
Pathophysiology Of Focal Human Entrapment Neuropathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$33,626.00
Summary
Neuropathy patients suffer from tingling, pain, numbness, spontaneous muscle contraction and cramp. The symptoms reflect abnormal activation of the nerve involved. It is known that an external agitation can worsen them, like in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This study aims to investigate if changes in function of axonal membrane ion channel play any part in the symptoms. This will be done by comparing axonal membrane ion channel functions of healthy and CTS patients under external stimuli.
A Novel Sensory Nerve Stimulator To Improve Neuropathy In Patients With Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$407,924.00
Summary
We have developed a painless, self-applied, cheap, battery powered electrical stimulation treatment that improves sensory nerve function in some people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We have tested this technique in laboratory animals and in people with diabetes and have shown it is effective in some. We now propose to test this technique in a large sample of people similar to the participants in the successful group of our pilot study - 55-65 year old people with diabetes of shorter durat ....We have developed a painless, self-applied, cheap, battery powered electrical stimulation treatment that improves sensory nerve function in some people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We have tested this technique in laboratory animals and in people with diabetes and have shown it is effective in some. We now propose to test this technique in a large sample of people similar to the participants in the successful group of our pilot study - 55-65 year old people with diabetes of shorter duration. In addition, older people up to 75 years of age, with up to 10 years duration of diabetes will be included separately. If successful, the electrical stimulation could improve sensation leading to fewer ulcerations and amputations. Much suffering and expense would be avoided. - The magnitude of reduction in suffering and expense can be judged from the fact that people with diabetes have 15 times the risk of amputation as do people without diabetes. In Australia half of non-traumatic amputations are done to people with diabetes. Foot ulcers precede amputations in most cases, and in themselves cause much suffering and expense. Australia needs to act on this now because, if current trends continue, the number of people with diabetes will increase as the population ages. -The number of people aged over 65 will increase from around 2.3 million at present to over 6 million in the next half century. The increase in those over 85 will be even more marked with numbers increasing four fold to over one million people. Diabetes affects approximately 23% of people aged 75 or older.Read moreRead less
Ankle Brachial Index Determination By Oscillometric Method IN General Practice (ABIDING)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,935.00
Summary
People who have peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have blockages of the circulation to their legs. If you have PAD you have blood vessel disease throughout the body and are very likely to have a heart attack or experience a stroke. PAD can be diagnosed simply by comparing the blood pressure in the arms and legs. Until now this needed a special costly instrument. New blood pressure machines can do this without this instrument. We want to know how reliably this can be done by practice nurses.