I am a neuroscientist, studying fundamental mechanisms related to addiction. A major feature of my research is the neuropharmacological characterisation of potential novel therapeutic strategies to combat drug-seeking behaviour.
Anxiety and addiction are disorders with high co-morbidity that present a major worldwide public health concern. Treatment in both cases often involves an approach called extinction which helps to reduce the relapsing nature of these disorders. This grant is designed to examine the role of a specific protein in addiction and anxiety, by virtue of its involvement in the process of extinction.
Repurposing An Alzheimer’s Trial Drug To Block Relapse In Cocaine Addiction Models
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,050,601.00
Summary
Repeated exposure to drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, alters the reward circuitry of the brain. Enduring changes in the connections between neurons underlie addiction-related behavioural patterns, drug craving and the propensity for relapse after drug withdrawal. The pre-clinical research in this proposal aims to test whether blocking the function of a particular brain protein in mice can prevent relapse in two different paradigms that model cocaine addiction in humans.
An inability to resist a temptation or repeated failures of self-regulation can lead to 'impulsive' and 'compulsive' behaviours that relate to a host of personal and social problems (eg., excessive eating, gambling, and substance use). Despite this, very little research has studied the neural and psychological underpinnings of these behaviours. My research will take advantage of recent innovations and approaches to fill this void and have implications for diagnosis and treatment.
I am a neuroscientist, studying fundamental mechanisms related to addiction. A major feature of my research is the neuropharmacological characterisation of potential novel therapeutic strategies to combat drug-seeking behaviour
Understanding Cortical Circuitry Underlying Sensory Integration And The Consequence Of Its Developmental Disruption
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,395.00
Summary
The mammalian neocortex is organised into six layers with a systematic pattern of wiring that relies on normal development and balanced activity of neurons. This project combines developmental, electrophysiological, optogenetic behavioural, and computational methods to establish how the properties of the precise structure of cortical circuits impact their function and how disruptions in the balanced activity during development affect circuit formation and function in the mature brain.
Problems in learning, memory and other complex mental processes are common to many brain disorders. This project will study the impact of mutations on a family of genes reported in autism and schizophrenia, on complex cognitive behaviours using novel behavioural technologies. This will not only shed fundamental insights into the specific mental processes regulated by these genes and their role in disease, but importantly provide novel targets for the development of therapies.
Advancing The Evidence-base For Childhood Brain Insult: Diagnosis, Assessment And Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$575,662.00
Summary
My research has 4 primary objectives, representing major gaps in current knowledge: 1. improve knowledge of recovery and determinants of post-concussive symptoms 2. establish the impact of child brain insult on socio-emotional function and identify contributing factors 3. develop an iPad based tool for socio-emotional function 4. evaluate and disseminate e-heath treatments for child brain insult
Cannabidiol (CBD): A Novel Therapeutic For Alzheimer's Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$775,005.00
Summary
Current drugs do not stop or reverse the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Also, brains of AD patients show a number of biological changes and effective drugs should target those together. Cannabidiol (CBD) has such abilities when tested in AD cell models. We found that CBD can also prevent and reverse memory deficits in AD mice. We propose to provide convincing preclinical evidence for the benefits of CBD for human AD therapy and to define mechanisms involved.