Reconsideration Of The Mechanisms Underlying Movement Changes With Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
Pain changes the way we move. Although undisputed, there is a surprising lack of agreement regarding the underlying mechanisms. This project involves an innovative mix of neurophysiological methods to investigate how the drive to muscle cells from the nervous system is altered during pain. We aim to resolve the perplexing problem of how pain changes our ability to activate muscle. Our findings are likely to provide a clear understanding of the underlying mechanisms and guide rehabilitation.
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.
Preventing Injury Through Evidence Based Product Design, Standards & Guidelines For Use
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
By 2020, road traffic injuries are predicted to become the third leading contributor to the global burden of disease. My vision is to prevent road crash-related by improving the performance of protective equipment. I will work to improve access to effective child restraint systems that are easy to use correctly; enhance safe mobility of older people; determine potential for improved motorcycle safety by enhanced design of vehicle and equipment; and appropriate use of motorcycles by children.
Developing Effective And Implementable Solutions To Reduce Traffic Injury Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
By 2020 traffic crashes will be the 3rd leading cause of death and illness worldwide. This research works towards real solutions to reduce injury risk among child and elderly car occupants and motorcyclists by studying child restraints integrated into cars; restraint designs to improve comfort and protection for elderly occupants; education interventions for new immigrants; and risk factors for motorcycle crashes.
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.