Microglial Paralysis In Post-stroke Neurodegeneration: Help Or Hindrance?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,351.00
Summary
Dementia and cognitive decline may occur months or years after a stroke, associated with delayed loss of brain cells in different brain regions. We recently discovered that the cells responsible for protection and repair of brain, called microglia, become paralysed in these regions. We will use a live-imaging microscope to determine whether the microglial paralysis causes brain cell death. We will also determine if a commonly used stroke prevention drug can worsen the microglial paralysis.
Nfib Regulates Glial Differentiation During Development And Disease Via Repression Of The Key Epigenetic Protein, Ezh2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$572,912.00
Summary
Glial development is critical during development, and unrestrained proliferation of glial stem cells in the adult can lead to deadly brain cancers such as glioma. At present there is no cure for glioma and current treatments do not significantly delay tumour progression. Nfib is a transcription factor that may prevent tumour growth through cellular differentiation. We will investigate the role of Nfib during development and in the pathogenesis of glioma and its potential as a therapeutic target.
Astrocyte Regulation Of Ammonia And Glutamate In Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$523,804.00
Summary
Lack of oxygen is a common problem for newborn infants, ocurring during events such as a difficult labour, and can lead to brain damage. We have discovered that a protein in the brain which normally removes ammonia (a toxic product of metabolism) is rapidly lost after a brief period of low oxygen. We propose that a build up of ammonia in the brain may be a key damaging event in hypoxia-related brain injury, and that it will be ameniable to therapeutic intervention.
Elucidating The Mechanisms By Which Bis(thiosemicarbazone)-copper Complexes Protect Neurons In Models Of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$353,377.00
Summary
Dr Liddell is a neuroscientist investigating potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases of affecting the brain such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. He is examining a class of metal-based compounds that are showing strong potential for disease treatment, and is investigating how these compounds work. The findings will be used to further develop and improve these therapeutic agents, and may help understand the underlying causes of these diseases.