Modifying Brain Excitabilty By Upregulating The KCC2 Chloride Transporter
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,662.00
Summary
Brain activity depends upon the fine balance between neuronal excitation and inhibition. When this balance is lost, debilitating seizures can result, such as occurs in epilepsy. We have developed a new gene manipulation approach to enhance neuronal inhibition and prevent seizures in mice. We will examine the physiological mechanisms underlying this effect, and we propose that we can also use this genetic switch to stop the progression into epilepsy that occurs following a brain trauma.
Controlling Neuroinflammation In Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, with 269,000 Australians currently diagnosed with AD and is expected to soar to about 981,000 by 2050. AD accounts for greater than 60% of all cases of dementia. This grant investigates the role that neuroinflammation plays in the progression and exacerbation of AD and will identify new therapeutic strategies to combat this insidious disease.