This is an application for reappointment as a Principal Research Fellow. My primary area of research is preclinical studies of addiction, with a particular emphasis on relapse. I am increasingly engaged in translational studies.
Investigation Of Novel Therapeutic Targets For The Treatment Of Drug Addiction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,892.00
Summary
Drug abuse remains one of the world’s leading health care problems and the current drugs available to treat drug addiction are largely ineffective. This project aims to investigate the potential of a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of drug addiction with has the capacity for substantially reduced off-target effects.
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.
Determining Neuronal Connections Involved In Parkinson's Disease And Cocaine Addiction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$343,300.00
Summary
Addictive behaviours in response to cocaine use and fine motor coordination that is affected in Parkinson's disease are both controlled by the same type of cells/neurons, i.e., dopamine neurons. However, the circuitry of these neurons varies from where they originate and the type of connections they make. By understanding the neuronal circuitry of these two circuitries in concert we will be able to gain important insight into their roles in adaptive and pathological brain function.
Optimum Thiamine Dose For Treatment And Prevention Of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS): A Randomised Controlled Trial Targeting Aboriginal People.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,293,716.00
Summary
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), once thought to be a rare condition, is now known to be common in people with nutritional deficiencies or alcohol dependence. WKS may lead to significant, long-term brain dysfunction with severe effects on work, personal and social function. Whilst effective treatment may greatly reduce severe disability and the human and social costs of this illness, almost no evidence exists on optimal dosing regimens. This project proposes to develop quality evidence for eff ....Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), once thought to be a rare condition, is now known to be common in people with nutritional deficiencies or alcohol dependence. WKS may lead to significant, long-term brain dysfunction with severe effects on work, personal and social function. Whilst effective treatment may greatly reduce severe disability and the human and social costs of this illness, almost no evidence exists on optimal dosing regimens. This project proposes to develop quality evidence for effective treatment of WKS in an Aboriginal setting.Read moreRead less
Brain damage resulting from long-term alcohol abuse is localized to discrete regions of the brain and selectively impairs key neuropsychological functions. Alcohol misuse affects processes that control excitability in the brain, leading to the over-stimulation of brain cells. When this continues for long periods the cells are likely to die and most alcoholics misuse alcohol for most of their adult lives. We will study the human brain s capacity to use and respond to glutamate, its major natural ....Brain damage resulting from long-term alcohol abuse is localized to discrete regions of the brain and selectively impairs key neuropsychological functions. Alcohol misuse affects processes that control excitability in the brain, leading to the over-stimulation of brain cells. When this continues for long periods the cells are likely to die and most alcoholics misuse alcohol for most of their adult lives. We will study the human brain s capacity to use and respond to glutamate, its major natural excitant, in the regions that are selectively damaged by alcoholism. How these capacities are affected by heredity, and by diseases commonly associated with alcoholism such as cirrhosis of the liver, will also be explored. If we can understand how selective brain damage occurs in alcoholics we will be better able to devise new drug therapies to combat and prevent it. As well, localized brain damage is a feature of many neurological diseases, so the study will provide a general model of disease mechanisms.Read moreRead less
Does Obesity Have The Characteristics Of Addiction?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,832.00
Summary
The number of overweight or obese people in Australia has increased dramatically in recent years, increasing disease risk. The brain responds to palatable food in ways similar to the response to drugs of addiction, and this may explain why people find it hard to resist palatable food. Our work will explore whether obesity in rats has the characteristics of addiction by examining bingeing, craving, withdrawal and brain circuits in animals chronically exposed to palatable food.
Motivational drive and reward are survival processes that underpin the maintenance of homeostasis. In humans, dysregulation of these brain circuits manifests in disorders such as depression and addictions. Our projects is focused on a key subgroup of neurons in the hypothalamus that modulates reward and motivation. We aim to understand how potent reward experience (e.g. drugs) or stress modifies these circuits and to identify potential entry points for therapeutic interventions.
Unraveling The Neural Circuitry Of Context-induced Relapse To Alcohol Seeking After Punishment-imposed Abstinence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$528,016.00
Summary
Alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) causes significant social and economic costs to Australian society. Alcoholism is a brain disease, and relapse during abstinence is the main problem in successful treatment. In this project, we use an animal model of relapse to alcohol seeking after abstinence imposed by a negative consequence (punishment). This project will identify brain regions which can be targeted in future clinical studies in human alcoholics.
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