The role of Reelin-signalling on cortical neuron migration

Funding Activity

Website
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/454571

Funding Status
Closed

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Funded Activity Summary

Disorders that occur during brain development can lead to abnormal behaviours traits such as anxiety and altered social interactions, plus abnormalities in neuronal function and information processing. The region of the brain responsible for originating the motor, sensory and cognitive functions of a human is the cortex. This brain region is comprised of two major types of neurons that are arranged in a highly organized manner. One captivating aspect of the brain is that during early stages of development neurons are generated in one part of the brain and migrate great distances to a final destination. It is therefore necessary during development to have a well-orchestrated, controlled series of events that lead to the correct positioning and association of neurons. The precise functions of many gene products involved in this process are not known. One major advancement in the development of the cortex is the discovery of the protein Reelin which is found in the outermost region of the developing cortex. Mutations in Reelin, in humans, have been implicated in the causation of schizophrenia and mood disorders. These disease states are the result of altered migration of neurons in the cortex. The research proposed in this application is designed to understand the precise process of how two types of neurons migrate and assemble in the cortex. Technology today allows us to visualize, in culture, neurons as they migrate in real-time. This is referred to real time-lapse imaging and allows the researcher the ability to examine how external factors, affect migration of cortical neurons. We will determine how Reelin is involved in this process and our research will elucidate the fundamental process of cortical brain development.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2007

End Date: 01-01-2009

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $716,196.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Central Nervous System

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

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Other Keywords

Brain development | Cerebral cortex | Developmental brain disorders | Developmental neurobiology | Epilepsy | Nervous system development | Neuronal migration | Schizophrenia

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