A Novel Mechanism For Therapeutically Modulating Neurotransmitter-activated Ion Channels
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$667,529.00
Summary
This project aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which macrocyclic lactones bind to brain ion channel receptors. This will reveal fundamental new insights into the operation of these receptors and will have important implications for the design of novel treatments for a variety of central nervous system disorders.
Structure-based Drug Design For Neuroprotection From Traditional Chinese Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$245,968.00
Summary
In the proposed research, three novo approaches for drug discovery will be explored: 1) The important neurodegenerative disease relevant protein JNK3 crystals will be used as the probe to fish out the potential inhibitors from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); 2) Instead of individual drug components, the mixture of TCM will be used directly; 3) The composition of a TCM library are not randomly chosen but have been used in China for hundreds to thousands of years in curing neurodegenerative di ....In the proposed research, three novo approaches for drug discovery will be explored: 1) The important neurodegenerative disease relevant protein JNK3 crystals will be used as the probe to fish out the potential inhibitors from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); 2) Instead of individual drug components, the mixture of TCM will be used directly; 3) The composition of a TCM library are not randomly chosen but have been used in China for hundreds to thousands of years in curing neurodegenerative disease.Read moreRead less
Inhibitory Neurotransmitter Receptors As Therapeutic Targets For Chronic Pain And Anxiety Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,409.00
Summary
There are currently few effective long-term treatments for chronic pain and anxiety disorders. Here we propose to develop innovative therapies for both of these debilitating neurological disorders. In addition, we plan to improve our current understanding of how these disorders occur in the first place. This may identify novel potential therapeutic strategies for treating pain, anxiety and a host of other neurological disorders.
Lipophilic Iron Chelators As Potential Therapeutic Agents In Parkinson's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,537.00
Summary
The impaired coordination and tremors experienced by the 64,000 Australians with Parkinson’s disease make managing life at work and home difficult. With 240,000 Australians projected to be living with Parkinson’s disease by 2033, the discovery of agents that slow or stop disease progression is urgent. Iron in the brain has been implicated in Parkinson’s disease. In this project, the performance of new low toxicity agents in altering brain iron distribution will be studied as potential drugs for ....The impaired coordination and tremors experienced by the 64,000 Australians with Parkinson’s disease make managing life at work and home difficult. With 240,000 Australians projected to be living with Parkinson’s disease by 2033, the discovery of agents that slow or stop disease progression is urgent. Iron in the brain has been implicated in Parkinson’s disease. In this project, the performance of new low toxicity agents in altering brain iron distribution will be studied as potential drugs for Parkinson’s disease.Read moreRead less
Professor Ashley Bush has extensively researched the contribution of metal biochemistry to Alzheimer�s and Parkinson�s diseases. In the current proposal he will lead the clinical testing of a new drug that combats the abnormal accumulation of metals in Alzheimer�s brain pathology, he will search for abnormal metal-interactions with blood proteins as a potential predictive test, and he will study the roles of various brain proteins in regulating metal levels to maintain healthy function.
Investigation Of Neuregulin Precessing By Beta-site APP Cleaving Enzyme And Gamma Secretase In Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$46,715.00
Summary
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex psychiatric disorder that appears in male and female around adulthood. To date there is no clear pathological symptoms to identify SCZ individuals and place them in a specific group. Some proteins are genetically associated with this disease. I will investigate how some of these proteins disturb the function of the brain in human. My recent published data shows decrease of one of the proteins in the brain of SCZ group. My project may help develop novel and more s ....Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex psychiatric disorder that appears in male and female around adulthood. To date there is no clear pathological symptoms to identify SCZ individuals and place them in a specific group. Some proteins are genetically associated with this disease. I will investigate how some of these proteins disturb the function of the brain in human. My recent published data shows decrease of one of the proteins in the brain of SCZ group. My project may help develop novel and more selective therapies with less side-effects.Read moreRead less
The Role Of A Presenilin 2 Truncation (PS2V) In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,741.00
Summary
The Presenilin and APP proteins are centrally important in inherited, early onset Alzheimer's disease. We have discovered that a shortened form of Presenilin protein, "PS2V", appears to increase specifically the rate at which the APP protein is cleaved to produce the "Amyloid beta" protein fragment that is found in Alzheimer's disease brains. This occurs when brain cells are under oxidative stress. Understanding this process will facilitate development of appropriate therapeutic strategies for t ....The Presenilin and APP proteins are centrally important in inherited, early onset Alzheimer's disease. We have discovered that a shortened form of Presenilin protein, "PS2V", appears to increase specifically the rate at which the APP protein is cleaved to produce the "Amyloid beta" protein fragment that is found in Alzheimer's disease brains. This occurs when brain cells are under oxidative stress. Understanding this process will facilitate development of appropriate therapeutic strategies for the disease.Read moreRead less
Delineating The Mechanism Of Amyloid Beta Toxicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$565,242.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease and beta amyloid toxicity: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by progressive memory loss, confusion, and cognitive deficits. In 2011, an estimated 269,000 Australians are currently living with dementia and without a significant medical breakthrough soon, it is anticipated that this will rise to about 981,000 by 2050