Improving Upper Limb Function In Hereditary Cerebellar Ataxia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,034.00
Summary
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) causes in-coordination and muscle weakness which may result in the affected person being unable to walk or use their arms effectively. In-coordination is a result of destruction of nerves in the spine and the area of the brain that controls movement (cerebellum). This study will assess the use of brain stimulation to improve coordination and function in people with FRDA. The results of this study may also result in treatments for similar inherited cerebellar ataxias.
A Longitudinal Neuroimaging Study Investigating Reorganisation Of Cerebellar-cerebral Networks In Friedreich Ataxia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$816,908.00
Summary
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) causes debilitating motor and cognitive deficits. We propose a longitudinal multi-modal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging study to measure different types of tissue in the brain in this disease. We seek to understand how the brain reorganises itself due to cell loss in the spinal cord, cerebellum and cerebral cortex. This study will establish sensitivity of a range of MR imaging measures as potential biomarkers for use in large multi-centre drug trials in this disease.
I am a physiologist investigating how the brain controls balance and movement. Many neurological disorders cause unsteady balance and problems with movement, and consequently a poor quality of life. I study people with disorders of the sensory and movement processing areas of the brain to discover how the brain combines different sensory information to control balance. This work will improve understanding of human balance and movement, and lead to new clinical techniques for assessment and treat ....I am a physiologist investigating how the brain controls balance and movement. Many neurological disorders cause unsteady balance and problems with movement, and consequently a poor quality of life. I study people with disorders of the sensory and movement processing areas of the brain to discover how the brain combines different sensory information to control balance. This work will improve understanding of human balance and movement, and lead to new clinical techniques for assessment and treatment.Read moreRead less
Cognition In Motion: Characterization And Evolution Of Cognitive Dysfunction In Motor Neurodegeneration And Frontotemporal Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,106.00
Summary
Motor neuron disease (MND) is a fatal disease. Cognition may be unaffected or may be severely impaired to warrant a dementia diagnosis. The cognitive status at onset, its progression and the presence of co-morbid dementia of most MND patients is unknown. This research program will develop and validate a cognitive screener that diagnosis co-morbid dementia in the context of motor neurodegeneration in MND.
Bioenergetic Deficit In Neurodegeneration: Studies In Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,967.00
Summary
Motor neurone disease (MND) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. There is no known cause and no known cure. We believe that a defect in the way in which the muscle and nerve cells generate energy to sustain survival causes for there to be added metabolic stress on their already high energetic load, ultimately leading to cell death. This project aims to understand the vicious cycle of energy deficiency that leads to the catastrophic events that cause the death of muscle and nerve cells.
The Mechanisms Of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Translational Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,263.00
Summary
Non-invasive brain stimulation is increasingly being used as a possible therapeutic intervention. The physiological mechanisms underlying the behavioural change are largely unknown. The project will use both human and rodent models to determine the structural brain changes that occur in response to non-invasive stimulation.
Disruption To Intracellular Trafficking As A Central Pathogenic Mechanism In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,157.00
Summary
There are several different forms of ALS (MND), but the disease appears very similar in terms of symptoms and pathology. We have identified a common disease process shared by several different forms of ALS, which suggests that this is the underlying mechanism by which motor neurons die. This study will investigate whether we can develop new drug targets based on this mechanism in animal disease models. This may ultimately assist in the development of new treatments for ALS.
Neurodegenerative Disease Pathology, Mechanisms, Models And Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and motor neuron disease (MND) are fatal and incurable neurodegenerative diseases. Although dissimilar in symptoms, most cases of both FTD and MND are characterised at autopsy by abnormal accumulations of the TDP-43 protein in neurons. In this fellowship, I will characterise the biochemical changes caused by TDP-43 malfunction that occur in both FTD and MND and test potential new therapeutics in mice, to identify new ways to treat these devastating diseases.