A Randomised Controlled Study Of An Upper Limb And Cognitive Intervention In Friedreich Ataxia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
Friedreich ataxia is a progressive, life shortening neurological condition. The main study in this Fellowship will examine the effect of movement and cognitive training on improving arm function and cognitive skills in people with Friedreich ataxia. Four groups of 10 people with Friedreich ataxia will each be exposed to different interventions and the outcomes will be assessed by a series of tests of upper limb function and cognition as well as magnetic resonance imaging.
Investigating The Neural Mechanisms Of Visual Recovery After Acute Optic Neuritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,860.00
Summary
Patients with multiple sclerosis experience relapses followed by disease remission. Recently, neuroplasticity, or the brain's innate ability to reorganise itself to maintain function after injury, has been thought to play a significant role in remission. We study patients with optic neuritis, which causes loss of vision, to understand visual parts of the brain change during recovery to enable patients to see again despite ongoing brain injury.
Serotonergic Mechanisms Underlying Impulsivity And Vulnerability For Stimulant Addiction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$336,318.00
Summary
There is increasing evidence to suggest that impulsivity, a personality trait associated with an increased tendency for premature actions, may predispose individuals to stimulant addiction. The current study employs a non-invasive brain imaging technique in rats – positron emission tomography (PET) – to investigate the implicated role of serotonin (5HT) in impulsivity thereby providing potentially new insights into neural vulnerability mechanisms underlying stimulant addiction.
Understanding The Cause Of Muscle Weakness In Nemaline Myopathy (NM) – Moving Towards The Development Of Targeted Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Congenital myopathy patients have unremitting, life-long muscle weakness that severely affects their quality of life and ability to perform normal daily activities. Currently no effective therapies exist for these conditions, largely due to our limited understanding of the mechanisms leading to muscle weakness. This ECF aims to determine the cause of weakness and test two therapies which have shown promise for other conditions and can be translated into clinical use for myopathies if effective.
Mitophagy And Mitochondrial Biogenesis In Mitochondrial Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
Mutations in mitochondrial DNA and nuclear encoded mitochondrial genes cause mitochondrial disease, with one in every 250 Australians carrying a pathogenic mutation. In this project, we will further define the basic function of mitophagy (process that results in the recycling of defective mitochondria) and mitochondrial biogenesis (production of new mitochondria). Additionally, experimentally induced enhancement of mitophagy or biogenesis will be assessed as a potential therapy for patients with ....Mutations in mitochondrial DNA and nuclear encoded mitochondrial genes cause mitochondrial disease, with one in every 250 Australians carrying a pathogenic mutation. In this project, we will further define the basic function of mitophagy (process that results in the recycling of defective mitochondria) and mitochondrial biogenesis (production of new mitochondria). Additionally, experimentally induced enhancement of mitophagy or biogenesis will be assessed as a potential therapy for patients with mitochondrial disease.Read moreRead less
IDENTIFYING AND MODIFYING LIFESTYLE RISK FACTORS TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder affecting ~25000 Australians. Promising evidence is emerging that modifying lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet, exercise, stress and vitamin D can affect the disease and health outcomes. I propose to study the effects of these factors over time, and to design an online intervention targeting these risk factors. The intervention, if found effective, can be incorporated into MS management to help people with MS live healthier for longer.
I am a physiologist investigating how the brain controls balance and movement. Many neurological disorders cause unsteady balance and problems with movement, and consequently a poor quality of life. I study people with disorders of the sensory and movement processing areas of the brain to discover how the brain combines different sensory information to control balance. This work will improve understanding of human balance and movement, and lead to new clinical techniques for assessment and treat ....I am a physiologist investigating how the brain controls balance and movement. Many neurological disorders cause unsteady balance and problems with movement, and consequently a poor quality of life. I study people with disorders of the sensory and movement processing areas of the brain to discover how the brain combines different sensory information to control balance. This work will improve understanding of human balance and movement, and lead to new clinical techniques for assessment and treatment.Read moreRead less