Changes In Pelvic Autonomic Neurons After Spinal Nerve Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$176,734.00
Summary
This project is about the effects of spinal injury on autonomic neurons that control the bladder, lower bowel and reproductive organs. One of the consequences of some types of spinal injury is that there are no signals being sent from the spinal cord to the nerve cells outside the cord, and this leads to poor bladder control, impotence, etc. We are mimicking this problem experimentally by damaging the spinal nerves that carry these signals. We have found that after this type of damage the pelvic ....This project is about the effects of spinal injury on autonomic neurons that control the bladder, lower bowel and reproductive organs. One of the consequences of some types of spinal injury is that there are no signals being sent from the spinal cord to the nerve cells outside the cord, and this leads to poor bladder control, impotence, etc. We are mimicking this problem experimentally by damaging the spinal nerves that carry these signals. We have found that after this type of damage the pelvic autonomic neurons make many new connections between each other, and the types of new connections depend on which spinal nerves have been injured. This leads to the question: are these new connections good or bad? ie are they helpful in trying to get organ control back to normal or will they stop the correct connections from the spinal cord from being made in the future? This project addresses these questions by using sophisticated techniques for staining and visualising individual nerve fibres growing out from the spinal cord. We will track how well these fibres grow back and connect with the pelvic autonomic neurons. In particular, we will see whether they make correct connections, and if these connections are influenced by the new fibres that have grown between the autonomic neurons in the interim period. We will also do physiological tests to see if the new connections have the correct function. The ultimate aim of these studies is not only to understand more about regeneration, but to see what determines whether the correct connections have been made - and ideally, to give us insight into how we can make regeneration work more quickly and accurately. We believe that this work is an important adjunct to other studies on spinal injury, which mostly focuses on regaining voluntary motor control (e.g. walking); however loss of bladder, bowel and reproductive function is another important quality of life issue for spinal injury patients.Read moreRead less
Epilepsy And Stress: An Explanatory Electrophysiological Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,233.00
Summary
Epilepsy is one of the most common recurrent neurological disorders worldwide, affecting between 1 and 2% of the population. The cascade of events culminating in epilepsy, or the role of seizures in altering brain structures and circuits has been difficult to define. Previous work from our group has shown that stress markedly accelerates the process of epilepsy development. I am developing a model of brain functioning from observed brain cells to chart the changes associated with seizures, stres ....Epilepsy is one of the most common recurrent neurological disorders worldwide, affecting between 1 and 2% of the population. The cascade of events culminating in epilepsy, or the role of seizures in altering brain structures and circuits has been difficult to define. Previous work from our group has shown that stress markedly accelerates the process of epilepsy development. I am developing a model of brain functioning from observed brain cells to chart the changes associated with seizures, stress, and potential treatments.Read moreRead less
Using Stem Cells And Bioengineered Scaffolds To Promote Regeneration Following Necrotic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$710,857.00
Summary
A number of injuries, including stroke, result in tissue loss. Consequently promoting repair will require restoration of tissue structure, replacement cells and a supportive environment to promote integration of these new cells. This study will engineer and develop novel scaffolds that can replace tissue whilst additionally providing physical and chemical support for newly implanted stem cells. This work will be conducted in an animal model of stroke.
Standardising Protocols For The Differentiation And Integration Of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Neural Transplants In Parkinson's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$987,664.00
Summary
Clinical trials have shown that transplanting dopamine neurons (specific nerve cells) into the brain of Parkinson’s disease patients can improve symptoms. Trials use fetal tissue for implantation, which is unsustainable and highly variable. This proposal will examine stem cells as an alternative. We will establish a reliable protocol to instruct human stem cells to become dopamine neurons, develop methods to select these cells and, examine the integration of these transplanted cells in the brain
RESTORING COGNITIVE FUNCTION USING BRAIN STIMULATION: Investigating The Neurobiological And Neurocognitive Effects Of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation In Schizophrenia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,556.00
Summary
Cognitive impairments are a core feature of schizophrenia and can have devastating impacts on daily functioning. Despite this, treatment options are few and of limited effectiveness. Recent research, including my own work, has indicated that brain stimulation has considerable potential in this regard. In this fellowship I will develop a treatment approach which will utilise brain stimulation to target and modify the underlying neurobiology of the cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia.
Brain Plasticity Following Changes In Sensory Input
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$312,576.00
Summary
The research proposed here will investigate the mechanisms our brains use to adapt to changes in sensory input, as occurs following blindness, deafness, nerve damage or loss of a limb. The information gathered will help develop treatments for diseases associated with sensory loss, as well as those associated with deficits in our ability to learn and remember, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Bilateral Cochlear Implants: Restoring Binaural Processing By Experience And Training With Binaural Cues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$968,030.00
Summary
Cochlear implantation in both ears is increasingly common and while there are benefits, performance falls short of expectations, likely due to the degradation of the long-term deaf brain’s sensitivity to small timing differences of sounds reaching each of the two ears. By confirming the hypothesis that experience with high-fidelity timing information will improve performance, this study will drive the technical innovations required to maximise the benefits and investment of bilateral implants.