Preclinical Evaluation Of The Novel Therapeutic Compound APP96-110 In An Ovine Model Of Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$874,734.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of death and disability, and yet there are currently no effective treatments to improve outcome following such an insult. Our laboratory has developed a novel therapeutic compound, by identifying an endogenous neuroprotective molecule, in the amyloid precursor protein and then identifying the active site and modifying it to improve its efficacy. We will be testing this compound in our sheep model of TBI.
Structural Connectomes In Traumatic Brain Injury: Can Secondary Disease Progression Be Stopped And Cognitive Deficits Be Reversed?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Many people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience cognitive problems, including poor memory and concentration. TBI is often referred to as a ‘hidden disability’ because the overwhelming majority of patients with TBI show no abnormalities on standard MRI or CT scans. In my project, I will delineate the mechanisms of secondary injury in finer detail through enhanced neuroimaging techniques, resulting in new assessment and treatment modalities for individuals with TBI.
Complement Activation In Experimental Epilepsy: Role Of C5a Receptors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,716.00
Summary
400,000 patients in Australia suffer from epilepsy and 45% of them suffer from uncontrolled seizures. Epilepsy often develops after head injury or stroke, but no treatments are available to prevent this process. Inflammatory processes seem to be involved in epilepsy. We will investigate if the inflammatory complement factor C5a plays a role in epilepsy and if we can prevent development of seizures in mice. If successful our data will be a prerequisite for later clinical trials.
Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries And Neurodegenerative Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$928,690.00
Summary
Repeated mild traumatic brain injuries (RmTBIs) have been linked to the development of neurodegenerative conditions. However, whether RmTBIs cause neurodegenerative disease, and the factors involved, requires further research. Using an innovative rat model, this project will examine whether RmTBIs cause long-term neurological changes resembling neurodegenerative disease. This cutting-edge project is highly relevant to human patients and will improve our understanding of these common injuries.
Investigating The Consequences, Pathogenesis, And Treatment Of Repeated Brain Concussions In A Novel Rodent Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$513,752.00
Summary
Concussions are now recognized as a serious medical issue. There is particular concern for individuals who are at high risk of suffering concussions, such as soldiers and athletes, as evidence indicates that repeated concussions are associated with neurodegenerative disease. Here we will use an animal model of repeated concussion to examine these injuries. These studies will increase our understanding of concussion, and hold important implications for their management in the clinical setting.
Investigating Treatments And Biomarkers Of Brain Concussion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
Concussions are a serious and common international health concern, and repeated concussions can have severe long-term consequences on the brain. This project will aim to provide insight into this poorly understood disease projects and ultimately improve the management of concussions in human patients.
Growth factors are essential molecules for normal brain development. Variations in the amount of the different growth factors have been implicated in such diseases as AlzheimerÍs and ParkinsonÍs disease. This project will study the precursor of a growth factor known as brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and what specific roles the precursor might play in brain development.
A Multi-cohort Investigation Of The Effects Of BDNF Val66Met On Tau, Neurodegeneration And Cognition In Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,758.00
Summary
There are currently no disease modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. We will elucidate the role of a genetic polymorphism that has previously been shown to exert neuroprotective effects on memory decline and brain volume loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease. By studying the role of this gene in multiple cohorts of individuals with varying degrees of Alzheimer’s disease risk, this study has high potential to uncover novel disease-modifying strategies for the treatment of the disease.
Validating Novel Serum Markers Of Neurodegeneration In Multiple Sclerosis Patients.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$516,304.00
Summary
In multiple sclerosis (MS), permanent disability occurs when brain cells known as neurons are damaged following an immune attack. Current treatments reduce the number and severity of immune attacks, but they do not prevent neuron damage or permanent disability in many patients. There is currently no direct way to measure neuron damage in humans, so it is difficult to develop new drugs to prevent it. To address this need, we will trial a new blood test for measuring neuron damage in MS patients.