Neurochemical And Metabolomic Studies Of The Cortical GABAergic System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$282,559.00
Summary
This work will use targeted neuropharmacology, systems analysis and multivariate statistics to provide a unique perspective on detailed aspects of the organization and function of the GABAergic system in the brain, as well as the mode of action of the drug of abuse GHB. This will have broad benefits for a wide range of disorders, including sleep disorders, pain and epilepsy as well as providing clearer targets for drug development.
The Contributions Of Different Sources Of Calcium To The Induction Of Long Term Potentiation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$267,750.00
Summary
When we make memories, we alter the strength of synaptic connections between nerve cells.These changes are particularly marked in the hippopcampus ; a region of the brain involved in the formation of memories. The strength of a synaptic connection is altered if it activates a neurone sufficiently to cause a rise in the level of calcium ions. Calcium can be derived from several sources within the neurone. This project aims to assess the relative importance of these different sources of calcium in ....When we make memories, we alter the strength of synaptic connections between nerve cells.These changes are particularly marked in the hippopcampus ; a region of the brain involved in the formation of memories. The strength of a synaptic connection is altered if it activates a neurone sufficiently to cause a rise in the level of calcium ions. Calcium can be derived from several sources within the neurone. This project aims to assess the relative importance of these different sources of calcium in inducing increases in synaptic strength.Read moreRead less
Cognitive Enhancement In Schizophrenia Via Selective Oestrogen Receptor Modulator.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,380.00
Summary
Cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia is resistant to treatment and related to poor community functioning and quality of life. In spite of the widely appreciated magnitude of the problem, there is still a critical gap in our knowledge concerning treatments to reverse these cognitive deficits. The proposed research is significant because it will clarify the role of hormones and genes in relation to cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and it may help patients improve their level of functioning.
Insulin-regulated Aminopeptidase, Glucose And Memory
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,693.00
Summary
We have previously shown that inhibitors of IRAP improve performance in memory tasks in normal and memory impaired animals and are currently developing new treatments for memory loss using IRAP as a target. In this study, we will investigate the physiological roles of IRAP and its association with intracellular proteins. The knowledge obtained will provide insights of how the brain process memory and confirm the suitability of IRAP inhibitors as drugs for treating memory deficits.
Saccadic Eye Movements And The Neural Basis Of Visual Perception
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,828.00
Summary
The eye has a restricted central area that has good vision. We must make very frequent eye movements to build up a high resolution picture of a particular image. The term active vision is used to describe the requirement of coordinating the eye movements with the visual system. The study of active vision at the neural level requires experiments that combine single cell recording with behaviour. This study will explore which parts of the brain are involved in active vision in monkeys.
Reinstating Emotion Perception After Brain Damage: An Experimental Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,421.00
Summary
Many people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) cannot recognise emotions in others. This disrupts social behaviour leading to isolation and unemployment. In this project we determine whether: (1) selectively attending to a person's expression improves empathy and emotion recognition; (2) whether mimicking an expression improves recognition of the emotion and; (3) whether poor recognition of emotional tone of voice (prosody) and audiovisual displays is improved by focusing on voice or face alone.
Longitudinal Growth, Nutrition And Physical Activity In Young Children With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,147.00
Summary
Cerebral palsy is the most common type of physical disability impacting on 1 in 500 children, with lifetime costs of $2m and up to 40% may have restricted growth and nutrition. We aim to follow a cohort of 240 young children with Cerebral Palsy from 18 mths to 5 years to monitor their growth, nutrition, habitual activity, body composition and relate this to comprehensive health outcomes and costs. Better knowledge of these factors will enable nutritional and medical care to be better focused.