Investigating The Synergistic Role Of Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) And Estradiol On Parvalbumin-mediated Cognitive Function: Relevance To Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,644.00
Summary
Estrogen-based therapy may improve cognitive functioning in dementia patients. However, more detailed knowledge is required to ensure safe and effective targeted treatment is provided. I propose to examine, in mouse models, the mechanistic functioning of estrogen signalling in key brain regions involved in cognition. Unravelling the way estrogen impart its beneficial effect can lead to the development of effective treatments for dementia and many other devastating neurological diseases.
Investigating Biometal Dyshomeostasis In Dementia With Lewy Bodies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$554,644.00
Summary
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease (AD). Very little is known about what causes DLB and there are currently no effective therapeutics. An imbalance in naturally occurring biological metals such as iron and copper have been implicated in AD and Parkinson’s disease so this project will investigate if metals are involved in DLB. The ultimate goal of this project is to identify if metals are a valid target for future drug development.
In Vivo Assessment Of The Role Of Aggregated Tau In Preclinical And Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,269.00
Summary
Subtle changes in the brain precede an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis by 20-30 years. These changes provide an incredible opportunity to diagnose and treat AD; however, our understanding of them, remains limited. We aim to use new imaging technologies to investigate these subtle changes in the preclinical AD brain. This will give us a greater understanding of how these early changes effect AD progression and whether we can use this information to improve the diagnosis and treatment of AD.
Establishing A Blood-based Biomarker Panel For Pre-clinical Alzheimer’s Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$716,778.00
Summary
The current gold standard biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are uneconomical and invasive, thus impeding early treatment prior to irreversible damage. I posit that biochemical changes associated with the disease are reflected in the blood several years prior to the clinical manifestation of the disease. Therefore, I propose to investigate these changes in individuals predisposed to AD, prior to the appearance of clinical symptoms, to identify biomarkers for the early diagnosis of AD.
Development And Epilepsy - Strategies For Innovative Research To Improve Diagnosis, Prevention And Treatment In Children With Difficult To Treat Epilepsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,083.00
Summary
By deciphering pathophysiological mechanisms in epileptogenic developmental disorders and developing mechanism-related, and advanced therapeutic strategies, we expect to discover novel genes and related molecular pathways that are involved in epilepsy and similar disorders. DESIRE will also help preventing the development of the disease after potentially epileptogenic brain insults.
BRIDGET: BRain Imaging, Cognition, Dementia And Next Generation GEnomics: A Transdisciplinary Approach To Search For Risk And Protective Factors Of Neurodegenerative Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,081,489.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) begins many years before diagnosis and yet its aetiology is still poorly understood. The BRIDGET consortium aims to identify genetic variants that are associated with structural brain ageing, cognitive performance, and dementia risk in richly phenotyped international and Australian population-based samples. This work aims to provide crucial information on the molecular pathways leading to AD, potentially leading to improved health outcomes for our ageing population.
Modifiable Risk Factors For Serious Mental Illness - An Integrated Program Of Epidemiology, Genetics And Clinical Trials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,750,000.00
Summary
John McGrath has discovered that vitamin D during brain development is associated with psychosis. Just as the use of folate decreased the incidence of spina bifida, vitamin D supplementation could decrease the incidence of psychosis. Using international samples, McGrath will search for modifiable risk factors for mental illness related to nutrition, infection and stress. He will use the latest methods from genetics to explore modifiable risk factors and undertake clinical trials.
Improving Human FMRI Through Modeling And Imaging Microvascular Dynamics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,144.00
Summary
In this project we aim to establish a reliable vascular baseline to improve mapping of both small-scale functional architecture and large-scale brain networks in functional human brain mapping using MRI. By mapping the grey matter vasculature with high detail in both humans and animals, and by computing and matching of these atlases across species we will be able to validate this approach in vivo to confirm the better spatial specificity of the newly developed approach.
Sleep, Plasticity And Neurodegeneration: Targeting Sleep To Improve Cognition In Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$525,116.00
Summary
Older individuals with mild cognitive impairment commonly experience disturbed sleep and about 50% will convert to dementia. It is unclear whether sleep disturbance mediates cognitive decline and progression to dementia. Optimising sleep presents a novel strategy to slow disease progression. This new research program explores links between sleep and dementia to identify new biomarkers of disease progression and new targeted therapeutic approaches to improve quality of life for older Australians.
Predicting Perioperative Cognitive Disorders In The Elderly Based On Cardiovascular Risk, AD Risk And New Biomarkers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$471,826.00
Summary
Anaesthesia and surgery are common in the elderly and are known to lead to memory and thinking problems. Why this happens is unclear. I plan to study confusion, memory and thinking problems before and after surgery and to determine if blood or cerebrospinal fluid tests or modifying cardiovascular disease can predict this happening. This work will lead to early identification of people who are at risk of cognitive problems following anaesthesia and surgery, and ways to prevent this happening.