The neural basis of the cognitive effects of prefrontal cortex stimulation. This project aims to discover what exactly happens to brain cells (neurons) when transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is administered. Direct current stimulation of prefrontal cortex has gained much attention as an easy to use and self-administered brain stimulation technique for improving learning and performance in tests, and even for management of conditions such as overeating and gambling. Despite the wides ....The neural basis of the cognitive effects of prefrontal cortex stimulation. This project aims to discover what exactly happens to brain cells (neurons) when transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is administered. Direct current stimulation of prefrontal cortex has gained much attention as an easy to use and self-administered brain stimulation technique for improving learning and performance in tests, and even for management of conditions such as overeating and gambling. Despite the widespread use of tDCS the neural basis of its effects remain unknown. By applying tDCS in animals performing cognitive tasks, this projects aims to address fundamental unanswered questions about 'where' and 'how' the tDCS influences neural information encoding and behaviour using cellular- and neural circuit-level evidence.Read moreRead less
Understanding how the brain uses sensory information to guide reaching and grasping movements. Reaching, grasping and manipulating objects are crucial aspects of our daily lives, which are performed so effortlessly that they tend to be taken for granted. We know however that these functions take a relatively long time to mature (think of a baby learning how to get an object), and that they can be impaired by brain lesions involving a region called the posterior parietal cortex. We also know that ....Understanding how the brain uses sensory information to guide reaching and grasping movements. Reaching, grasping and manipulating objects are crucial aspects of our daily lives, which are performed so effortlessly that they tend to be taken for granted. We know however that these functions take a relatively long time to mature (think of a baby learning how to get an object), and that they can be impaired by brain lesions involving a region called the posterior parietal cortex. We also know that this region has multiple subdivisions, but how exactly these interact in allowing the sensory information to guide arm and hand muscles is unknown. Discovering how this happens in terms of cellular interaction can have profound implications for the creation of new technologies such as artificial limbs and autonomous robots, and result in health benefits.Read moreRead less
Computational neuroanatomy: analysis of neural connections in the primate brain. This project will map the full network of connections between brain cells, using a computer graphics database that will consolidate data from hundreds of experiments. This will allow the first realistic simulations of neural activity, and will provide new insights about the structure and function of the nervous system.
Understanding complex networks of connections in the primate cerebral cortex. The most fundamental characteristic of brain cells is that they can interchange information through electrical pulses, which run along cable-like membrane specialisations. This creates a hugely complex network of cell-to-cell connections. Understanding this network is necessary to allow new insights on how the brain works as an integrated system, and on how information processing in the brain changes as result of disea ....Understanding complex networks of connections in the primate cerebral cortex. The most fundamental characteristic of brain cells is that they can interchange information through electrical pulses, which run along cable-like membrane specialisations. This creates a hugely complex network of cell-to-cell connections. Understanding this network is necessary to allow new insights on how the brain works as an integrated system, and on how information processing in the brain changes as result of diseases and normal ageing. This project will produce the first comprehensive digital map of the connections in a primate brain. This project will use advanced statistical techniques to determine how to best subdivide the brain into processing nodes, and the logic behind the network of connections that integrates these nodes. Read moreRead less
Long-term Physical Exercise Improves Cognitive Performance Through Neuroimmune Modulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,586.00
Summary
This research investigates for how long exercise needs to carried out in order to be beneficial for cognitive function. We choose an animal model which simulates chronic brain inflammation as seen during aging processes of humans and during many inflammatory diseases affecting brain function. This research will unravel the long-term immunomodulatory and protective effects of exercise on brain function as well as the short-term anti-inflammatory effects on brain function.
Epilepsy: Is It An Inherent State Of Cortical Hyper-excitability?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,640.00
Summary
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe way to study the human brain and changes associated with epilepsy. I will use TMS to examine the effect of refractory epilepsy and recurrent seizures on the brain over time and how this differs to well controlled epilepsy and provoked isolated seizures. I will also explore the potential of using TMS to predict responsiveness to medication soon after starting treatment.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100157
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$416,134.00
Summary
Involvement of the claustrum in coordinating brain circuits. This project aims to reveal how the claustrum coordinates information flow across other brain areas. The project will test the hypothesis that the Claustrum, a structure in the brain’s temporal lobe, coordinates the brains resting state networks. The project expects to characterise how the claustrum interacts with different networks, using a combination of anatomical, physiological and mathematical analysis techniques. The project expe ....Involvement of the claustrum in coordinating brain circuits. This project aims to reveal how the claustrum coordinates information flow across other brain areas. The project will test the hypothesis that the Claustrum, a structure in the brain’s temporal lobe, coordinates the brains resting state networks. The project expects to characterise how the claustrum interacts with different networks, using a combination of anatomical, physiological and mathematical analysis techniques. The project expects to advance knowledge about the function of one of the least understood parts of the brain. This will provide benefits that include new analysis techniques for integrative brain function, and may form the basis of future biotechnologies for modulating brain activity using neuroengineering or pharmacological approaches.Read moreRead less
Perceptual suppression mechanisms in the Drosophila brain. This project will investigate common processes underlying three means to losing conscious perception: selective attention, sleep and general anaesthesia. By studying these suppression mechanisms in a genetic model, the fly Drosophila melanogaster, fundamental processes will be highlighted that are required in the brain for maintaining perception in general.
Neurological cell replacement therapies: improving outcomes by matching developmental profiles of transplanted cells with the damaged brain area. Stem cell transplantation offers a way to replace nerve cells lost due to acute CNS injury or chronic degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's Disease. However, to date, results have been disappointing because of poor differentiation, survival and integration of stem cells confounded by ethical issues associated with the use of embryos as the source ....Neurological cell replacement therapies: improving outcomes by matching developmental profiles of transplanted cells with the damaged brain area. Stem cell transplantation offers a way to replace nerve cells lost due to acute CNS injury or chronic degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's Disease. However, to date, results have been disappointing because of poor differentiation, survival and integration of stem cells confounded by ethical issues associated with the use of embryos as the source of stem cells. The experiments conducted in this study will provide strategies to improve the efficacy of stem cell transplantation into the damaged CNS as well as developing the use of autologous bone marrow stem cells for repair. Outcomes will be improved transplant methodologies and expertise for the bio-technology industry. Read moreRead less
Deep Brain Stimulation For Treatment Resistant Major Depression: Neural Correlates And Neuropsychological Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$257,561.00
Summary
Major depression is a prevalent and devastating mental illness. While there are numerous pharmacological and psychological antidepressant therapies available, many patients do not respond to these treatments. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is emerging as a potential treatment option for individuals with chronic severe treatment resistant major depression. The current project will investigate the cognitive and neurobiological outcomes associated with the use of DBS to treat depression.