The cortical location of hunger and thirst: a multifunctional study in sheep. The escalating problems associated with obesity are immense. These effects contribute to a global epidemic that now eclipses both infectious diseases and (ironically) undernutrition in its proportions. The effects of disorders of thirst are less apparent but potentially devastating albeit on a smaller scale. The elderly and psychotic in the community have impaired thirst mechanisms which impacts on their life in a dra ....The cortical location of hunger and thirst: a multifunctional study in sheep. The escalating problems associated with obesity are immense. These effects contribute to a global epidemic that now eclipses both infectious diseases and (ironically) undernutrition in its proportions. The effects of disorders of thirst are less apparent but potentially devastating albeit on a smaller scale. The elderly and psychotic in the community have impaired thirst mechanisms which impacts on their life in a dramatic way particularly during prolonged hot weather. The aims of these experiments are to understand the basic brain mechanisms that underpin these drives. This understanding will have far reaching repercussions for the community both in terms of promoting good health and in preventative health care.
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Psychiatric disorders in epilepsy. Psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety and cognitive disorders, are frequently observed in patients with epilepsy. Although standard dogma suggests that psychiatric disorders are a consequence of living with epilepsy, recent evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between these disorders, such that depression and other psychiatric illnesses act as risk factors for epilepsy development. This project will utilise basic science approaches to und ....Psychiatric disorders in epilepsy. Psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety and cognitive disorders, are frequently observed in patients with epilepsy. Although standard dogma suggests that psychiatric disorders are a consequence of living with epilepsy, recent evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between these disorders, such that depression and other psychiatric illnesses act as risk factors for epilepsy development. This project will utilise basic science approaches to understand the causal relationships between epilepsy and psychiatric disorders, and determine how and why psychiatric disorders and epilepsy co-exist. It is hoped that research conducted in this project will develop novel avenues to treatment of both epilepsy and psychiatric disorders.Read moreRead less
INVESTIGATION OF A BRAIN RHYTHM. Elucidation of brain function remains a frontier for human discovery. To date, research has largely focussed on brain connectivity with major advances in knowledge of input/output function of brain regions. Yet, there remains little understanding of higher order processes that underlie functions such as mood states and consciousness. Investigation of brain rhythms represent a step to unravelling such processes, as rhythms both act as autonomous clocks and generat ....INVESTIGATION OF A BRAIN RHYTHM. Elucidation of brain function remains a frontier for human discovery. To date, research has largely focussed on brain connectivity with major advances in knowledge of input/output function of brain regions. Yet, there remains little understanding of higher order processes that underlie functions such as mood states and consciousness. Investigation of brain rhythms represent a step to unravelling such processes, as rhythms both act as autonomous clocks and generate synchronised neuronal activity. This project aims to investigate mechanisms underlying a specific class of brain rhythm implicated in control of mood states. Positive outcomes from this basic research may lead to better drug therapies for controlling specific mental disorders.Read moreRead less
UNDERSTANDING THE BASIS OF COMPLEX BEHAVIOUR. This project is anchored in the fundamental understanding of complex vertebrate behaviours, namely cognition. Little is known about the molecular and neural substrates underpinning complex higher order information processing. This project aims to dissect the functional role of synaptic genes that are essential for organising neuronal connections, in distinct cognitive processes and how these functions may be regulated by other genes, drugs or environ ....UNDERSTANDING THE BASIS OF COMPLEX BEHAVIOUR. This project is anchored in the fundamental understanding of complex vertebrate behaviours, namely cognition. Little is known about the molecular and neural substrates underpinning complex higher order information processing. This project aims to dissect the functional role of synaptic genes that are essential for organising neuronal connections, in distinct cognitive processes and how these functions may be regulated by other genes, drugs or environmental factors. This project aims to employ state-of-the-art technologies to address the evolutionary biology of complex cognitive behaviours, towards further understandings how brain function evolved and the mechanisms that have enabled humans to perform highly complex and intricate tasks.Read moreRead less
Physiology of tau protein: a novel role in scaffolding and intracellular distribution. Understanding brain function remains a challenge. This project will study the normal role of the Alzheimer's disease-related protein tau in brain function during ageing. This will significantly enhance current understanding of brain function.
The role of synapse development in cognitive disorder. In humans, intellectual disability occurs when nerve cells in the brain fail to connect. The project examines fundamental molecular processes involved in synapse development of neurons. The use of insect models provides a generalised biological template to understand how synaptic molecules contribute to behaviours that underlie cognitive disorder.
How neurons regulate the myelinating process. This project aims to identify novel mechanisms that govern brain myelination and functions. Myelination in the brain is a lifelong process that is vital for normal nervous system functions. This project will generate a new level of understanding as to why nerve cell signals are important for myelination and brain functions, and how this is tightly regulated by cell signal transmission. The data generated will identify new mechanisms involved in the ....How neurons regulate the myelinating process. This project aims to identify novel mechanisms that govern brain myelination and functions. Myelination in the brain is a lifelong process that is vital for normal nervous system functions. This project will generate a new level of understanding as to why nerve cell signals are important for myelination and brain functions, and how this is tightly regulated by cell signal transmission. The data generated will identify new mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of a healthy brain.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101272
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,885.00
Summary
Glial Plasticity: How experience and aging change brain structure. 50 % of the cells in the brain are called glia. These cells work with neurons to regulate how we think, feel and behave. Most glial cells are added to the brain after birth, however we know very little about how this process works, or how it may be changed by lived-experience. The overarching aim of this study is to better understand how lived-experience impacts the growth of the major types of glial cells in the brain. To do th ....Glial Plasticity: How experience and aging change brain structure. 50 % of the cells in the brain are called glia. These cells work with neurons to regulate how we think, feel and behave. Most glial cells are added to the brain after birth, however we know very little about how this process works, or how it may be changed by lived-experience. The overarching aim of this study is to better understand how lived-experience impacts the growth of the major types of glial cells in the brain. To do this, I will use cutting-edge technologies and identify; 1) the rates of cell growth for the major types of glia, and 2) map how they are integrated into the brain. This will lead to important new information on how lived-experience can shape the growth and structure of the brain.Read moreRead less
Control of cellular differentiation in the developing brain. This project aims to understand how mature brain cells form during foetal life. The central hypothesis is that a specific transcription factor family, called NFI, regulates the epigenetic state of the cell, allowing chromatin accessibility and subsequent transcriptional activation and repression to control cellular differentiation. Aims 1 and 2 will investigate how brain cells transition from proliferating progenitor cells to different ....Control of cellular differentiation in the developing brain. This project aims to understand how mature brain cells form during foetal life. The central hypothesis is that a specific transcription factor family, called NFI, regulates the epigenetic state of the cell, allowing chromatin accessibility and subsequent transcriptional activation and repression to control cellular differentiation. Aims 1 and 2 will investigate how brain cells transition from proliferating progenitor cells to differentiated mature cell types. Aim 3 will investigate how differentiation is maintained in the adult brain. Methods used involve genome and chromatin analyses of cells isolated from transgenic mouse models. Outcomes and benefits are substantial knowledge gain applicable to stem cell regulation and brain health.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453073
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$129,485.00
Summary
Establishment of a South Australian rTMS Facility. It is proposed to establish a South Australian Facility for rapid rate transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which will be the only one in Australia. This Facility will provide enormous opportunities for collaborative cutting edge investigations into the role of the human cortical areas in a diverse range of tasks. For example, projects have been identified projects employing rTMS to study sensorimotor cortical plasticity, facilitate functiona ....Establishment of a South Australian rTMS Facility. It is proposed to establish a South Australian Facility for rapid rate transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which will be the only one in Australia. This Facility will provide enormous opportunities for collaborative cutting edge investigations into the role of the human cortical areas in a diverse range of tasks. For example, projects have been identified projects employing rTMS to study sensorimotor cortical plasticity, facilitate functional recovery following stroke and investigate the mechanisms of savant behaviour. Provision of this Facility will provide further support for this productive and internationally renowned group of scientists to develop their research programs.Read moreRead less