Using Non-invasive Magnetic Stimulation To Promote Remyelination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$664,869.00
Summary
In patients with multiple sclerosis, brain insulation is lost from nerves. This leads to permanent and progressive disability. We have identified a non-invasive method of magnetic stimulation, and have shown that it increases the number of new insulating cells added to the brain. In this study we will determine whether this new treatment can promote insulation repair in a model of multiple sclerosis.
Centre For Translational Neuroscience: A Modular Platform For Translating Discovery Into Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,623,735.00
Summary
Clinical Centre of Research Excellence in Translational Neuroscience will provide people, pathways and resources to create a novel platform to take the outputs of Neuroscience Discovery programs though to improved patient outcomes for common brain diseases. A critical role will be to train and equip the best and brightest of the next generation of researchers to undertake internationally competitive translational neuroscience research that makes a difference to the health of our community.
Novel Strategies To Promote Myelin Repair In The Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,865.00
Summary
Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system such as multiple sclerosis have a lifelong impact and devastating impact on quality of life. We have identified that a growth factor, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), plays an important role in promoting myelination during development. We will investigate the potential of translating these findings into effective clinical treatment, by characterising the efficacy of BDNF in promoting CNS remyelination after a demyelinating insult.
Identifying Rare Genetic Variants Conferring Susceptibility To Multiple Sclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$293,898.00
Summary
Recently there has been success in identifying common genetic variants that confer susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. The variants that have been discovered so far have modest effects on risk of disease, and only explain a small proportion of familial aggregation of disease. In this study we aim to identify rarer genetic variants that have stronger effects on risk of disease, using new statistical methods and new methods to sequence very large amounts of DNA.
Brain Protection: A new therapeutic approach for Multiple Sclerosis In Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain. The immune attacks destroy myelin, the protective coat around electrical cables in the brain (demyelination). Current treatments for MS are only partially effective, and work by reducing the number and severity of these attacks. However, MS-related permanent disability in the majority of sufferers is due to the development of progressive MS, and current ....Brain Protection: A new therapeutic approach for Multiple Sclerosis In Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain. The immune attacks destroy myelin, the protective coat around electrical cables in the brain (demyelination). Current treatments for MS are only partially effective, and work by reducing the number and severity of these attacks. However, MS-related permanent disability in the majority of sufferers is due to the development of progressive MS, and current therapies do not reduce this progression. It is believed that one major cause of this permanent disability is permanent myelin loss. Interestingly, we have already shown that the growth factor LIF is made by the body during MS-like inflammation, and that it limits damage by directly protecting myelin-producing cells. However, the bodies own LIF production during inflammation is sub-maximal, because myelin protection can be enhanced by giving additional therapeutic LIF. This suggests that (1) The brain produces a defence response to harmful inflammation and that (2) This defence response can be enhanced therapeutically. We therefore want to define exactly how LIF enhances myelin survival. We have measured the response to LIF in myelin-producing cells, and have discovered that it strongly stimulates the production of the small protein galanin. We will now assess if galanin itself protects myelin and myelin-producing cells, and we will test this both in isolated cells and whole animal models. If galanin production is a major mechanism by which the body tries to limit the damage from abnormal inflammation during MS, then medications that mimic the action of galanin (which are already under development for different reasons) could become a major new therapy for Multiple Sclerosis.Read moreRead less
Why Is The Bone Marrow A “hot-spot” For Myeloma Plasma Cell Metastasis: Are There Gremlins In The System?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$651,979.00
Summary
Most cancer patients die because their cancer spreads from a primary site to other tissues in the body. Once escaping the primary site, 70% of all tumours will spread to bone. This raises the question, why is bone a preferred destination for cancer cells? We provide evidence that Gremlin1, made by non-cancer cells within bone, is a key protein that supports cancer growth. This study will examine whether inhibiting Gremlin1 is a potential therapy to inhibit cancer spreading to bone.
The Role Of Excitotoxicity In Mediating Distal Axonal Degneration In ALS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,952.00
Summary
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the major cause of motor neuron disease, is a devastating diseasse for which there is no cure. There have been significant advances in understanding the pathology of ALS yet we still don’t know what causes the dying back of spinal motor neurons. We have new evidence that suggests that ALS may, in part, be caused by excitotoxcity - or over stimulation - of neurons in the spinal cord. We will follow this lead using a range of cutting edge experimental models.