The Role Of Neuronal Hyperactivity And Neurotrophic Factor Signalling In Synaptogenesis, Dendrogenesis And Neuron Death In Motor Neuron Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,331.00
Summary
Using mice with mutant genes causing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, we will test whether motor neuron hyper-excitability during early development causes excessive synapse and dendrite formation, ultimately leading to neuronal death. We will also test whether activity-dependent secretion of neurotrophic factors and activation of their receptors plays a role in this disease. This will show whether neuronal hyper-activity and neurotrophic factor signaling plays a causal role in this disease.
The Role Of BDNF In Central Nervous System Myelination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$478,235.00
Summary
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological cause of disability in young adult Australians. The cause of MS is unknown and therapies are limited to reducing inflammation, which does not address the major problem of the disease: loss of myelin. This project directly investigates how myelin is formed and will identify key mechanisms in this process, which may eventually be developed into treatments for diseases such as MS.