Cortical Plasticity And Fine Motor Skills In Older Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$244,255.00
Summary
Even in healthy individuals, the ageing process is usually associated with a progressive reduction in the performance of various motor skills, such as writing, placing keys in keyholes and fastening buttons. These deficits in manual performance may be due to an age-related decline in the ability of the brain to modify its connections (plasticity) when learning new motor skills. This brain plasticity is a fundamental property of the nervous system, where it is critical for learning and memory, bu ....Even in healthy individuals, the ageing process is usually associated with a progressive reduction in the performance of various motor skills, such as writing, placing keys in keyholes and fastening buttons. These deficits in manual performance may be due to an age-related decline in the ability of the brain to modify its connections (plasticity) when learning new motor skills. This brain plasticity is a fundamental property of the nervous system, where it is critical for learning and memory, but is also important for recovery from brain injury. The goal of the proposed studies is to examine the extent of brain plasticity when performing fine motor skills in older adults, and relate this to motor performance and learning in the elderly. We will use three complementary approaches that will employ novel techniques of magnetic brain stimulation to achieve this goal. These studies will be the first to ascertain a link between deficits in brain plasticity and impaired manual performance in older adults. Furthermore, these studies will be the first to examine interventions designed to promote brain plasticity and motor performance in older adults. Because the majority of patients requiring neurological rehabilitation are in an older age group, it is important to understand the extent of brain plasticity in the elderly. This new information may ultimately lead to innovative therapeutic or rehabilitation strategies to retain or improve fine motor skills in the elderly and promote functional recovery from brain injury.Read moreRead less
Immediate Cooling And Emergency Decompression (ICED) For The Treatment Of Spinal Cord Injury: Pilot, Safety And Feasibility Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,008.00
Summary
Victims of Spinal Cord Injury are young, have severe paralysis, complex needs and high lifetime costs. Although urgent surgery greatly improves outcome, it is difficult to achieve because of logistical difficulties. To expand the time window for early surgery, it is proposed to immediately cool patients. This project will conduct the pilot studies necessary before commencing a clinical trial of immediate cooling and emergency decompression (ICED) in patients with cervical spinal cord injuries.
Inflammatory lipids are involved in neurotrauma. They are key players in regulating the brain, spinal cord and immune responses to injury and thus in modulating the outcome of central nervous system (CNS) damage. We will investigate how bioactive inflammatory lipids, released during trauma, modulate neural response to injury and regeneration, by assessing their roles on central nervous system responses to injury.
Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in Australia, especially in young populations. Although many patients recover uneventfully following mild TBI, complications such as prolonged symptoms, depression and cognitive deterioration may occur. With considerable advancements in neuroimaging and cognitive assessment in recent years, newer techniques may provide a window to directly observe changes that accompany mild TBI.
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury And The Risk Of Long-term Neurodegenerative And Neurobehavioural Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$585,269.00
Summary
Considerable media attention surrounds the potential for long-term problems in individuals with high exposure to head impacts such as seen in sporting, civilian and/or military contexts. This study examines the long-term effects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and helps close the current knowledge gap of the impact of this disorder on individuals. There are no long term trials to answer the critical question of whether mild TBI causes long term problems in the brain.
Connectivity Of Regenerating Axons Following Spinal Cord Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,428.00
Summary
Our objective is to thoroughly investigate the connections made by regenerating nerve fibres in mice which are treated with specific compounds to inhibit scarring as well as with active exercise following spinal cord injury. This will provide evidence of the potential of these compounds as a therapeutic intervention. Understanding how the nervous system rewires following exercise intervention will provide insights as to how new connections can be shaped to ensure optimal recovery of function.
Effectiveness Of Ghrelin Receptor Agonists To Limit The Extent Of Tissue Damage Caused By Traumatic Injury To The Central Nervous System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,002.00
Summary
Ghrelin is a naturally occurring compound that under adverse conditions can activate specific receptors on cells around the body to enhance their survival. These receptors are also present in the spinal cord, but ghrelin doesn't enter the spinal cord. We will investigate a new group of compounds that can enter the spinal cord and activate these receptors to see if this can reduce the amount of damage that occurs after a spinal cord injury. Less tissue damage would mean less permanent disability.
Promoting Recovery After Neurotrauma: Basic Science, Clinical Trials And Community Engagement
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$356,269.00
Summary
To promote recovery after neurotrauma by controlling the spread of damage and by maximising function in surviving circuits. The work involves animal models & nanotechnology as well as clinical rehabilitation trials in humans with spinal cord injury.
To Understand The Role Of The Plasminogen Activating And Matrix Metalloproteinase Systems In Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$499,321.00
Summary
Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) is known for its role as a clot dissolving protein. It is present in the brain and following traumatic brain injury (TBI), it can worse brain cell damage. We have established a mouse model of TBI . We will compare brain damage in mice that are deficient in or have high amounts of t-PA. We will also determine whether the recovery rate post-TBI can be improved using specific t-PA blockers. This project may provide new therapies for TBI.