The Contribution Of IL-1 Signalling To Long-term Neurodegeneration, Epilepsy And Neurocognitive Outcomes Following Traumatic Injury To The Paediatric Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,670.00
Summary
Epilepsy is a common, debilitating consequence of brain injury in children, however little is known about factors which trigger its development. This proposal investigates the contribution of the acute inflammatory response to long-term neuronal loss, functional outcomes and seizure activity after paediatric brain injury. Understanding how epilepsy and brain damage progresses after injury will aid the development of drugs to improve long-term outcomes in brain-injured children.
‘Chemobrain’: Neuroimmunological Consequences Of Chemotherapy-induced Mucositis And Opioid Palliation In Development Of The Condition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Approximately 46% of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy will experience cognitive impairment. The development of this condition may be linked to another common gut side-effect of chemotherapy- mucositis. The treatment of mucositis pain by potent painkillers called opioids may also increase the risk of cognitive change. This project will determine the nervous system changes occurring in mucositis to identify targets for drug intervention to prevent development of cognitive decline.
Interleukin-6 -gp130 Signaling And Actions In The CNS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$549,092.00
Summary
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a member of a family of cytokine proteins that may be causative factors in many neurological disorders where they are involved in diverse processes including inflammation, neuronal injury and repair. In this project we will study how IL-6 affects the brain to bring about these outcomes. The results of this work will advance our understanding of how members of this cytokine family function and how they contribute to neurological disease.
The Role Of Meninges In Midbrain Dopamine Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$378,311.00
Summary
Dopamine neurons are important for the control of movement, emotion and cognitive function, and are affected in a number of disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Instrumental in improving our knowledge of disease etiology and the development of new therapies will be a greater understanding of how these cells are initially born during development. This project examines the role of the brain’s meninges in dopamine development and repair and will identify proteins and signaling pathways involved.
Understanding The Molecular Basis Of Central Nervous System Myelination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,388.00
Summary
Oligodendrocytes are the cell type in the central nervous system that produce myelin, the insulating layer around nerve cells. Loss of oligodendrocytes and myelin are key features of multiple sclerosis. This project aims to clarify the mechanisms that control the myelination of nerve cells during normal development, allowing the development of strategies to promote myelin repair in human diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis.
Investigating Underlying Mechanisms Linking Type 2 Diabetes With Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$701,950.00
Summary
With type-2 diabetes representing a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms. This project will provide significant insight into how T2D impacts the brain with a focus on how deficiencies in brain inuslin signaling drives neurodegeneration. We will also evaluate novel inuslin like molecules at improving brain insulin siganling and preventing or slowing down the neurodegenerative process.
Neuron To Glia Signalling: Learning How Synaptic Signalling Can Promote CNS Remyelination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$609,650.00
Summary
An immature cell type in the brain, known as the oligodendrocytes progenitor cell (OPC), receives direct electrical communication from neurons. This communication regulates the behavior of the OPC, affecting its ability to divide and generate new brain cells. This project will identify the signaling molecules that guide the OPC to for this specialized contact with the nerve cell. Understanding this communication has important implications for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.
Assessing The Role Of The N-terminus Of The Prion Protein, Emphasising Constitutive Cleavage, In Normal Function And Pathogenesis, As Well As Defining The Relationship Between Intensity Of Surveillance And Sporadic CJD Incidence.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,469.00
Summary
As a neurologist undertaking research into prion diseases over an extended period, I have been able to lead and participate in many projects that have made significant contributions, such as validation of new diagnostic tests for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), assessment of potential therapeutics, provide insights into the normal function of the prion protein and the underlying pathways causing cellular damage and determine the real significance of apparent clusters of sporadic CJD.
The Role Of BMP Signalling During Chronic Demyelination And Myelin Repair
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$67,381.00
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurodegenerative disease affecting young adults. It is a disease that kills myelin cells, which are important support cells for neurons and critical for neuronal function. This research investigates the role of a specific signaling pathway with respect to myelin cell production and repair with the ultimate aim of identifying regenerative therapeutics for MS.