Extinguishing Fearful And Addictive Brain During Adolescence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,437.00
Summary
Exposure therapies rely on the decrease in emotions to previous triggers due to the exposure to those triggers without an emotional event in a safe environment. Adolescence marks a period of maturation that is particularly resistant to such therapies, due to the imbalance of different receptors in their prefrontal cortex. We will redress such chemical imbalance by using existing clinically-approved drugs, and facilitate behavioural therapies to treat adolescent anxiety and substance abuse.
The Signals Of Nerve Cells That Provide The Capacity For Sight
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,115.00
Summary
Sight relies on the signals of nerve cells in the brain, but we know little about the way in which nerve cells support this, or why in some people sight is diminished. In this work we will measure the signals of nerve cells in the visual pathway to gain knowledge of these processes: we will make measurements in normal animals and in those that suffer from brain disorders. Our work will provide a scientific basis for the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders.
The Function And Modulation Of Dendritic Activity Underlying Neural Circuits And Behavior
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,641.00
Summary
Understanding how brain cells translate sensory input into behaviour is central to explaining how the brain works. My research focuses on the long-standing question of how information from different brain regions is received and processed within individual brain cells. This research is crucial to understanding brain function and can provide a greater understanding of the neuronal processes underlying diseases such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, depression and alcoholism.