While we need to consume salt, too much can be harmful and is in fact directly linked to ~5% of deaths annually in Australia. We have identified a system in the brain that regulates salt intake. Going forwards we will fully elucidate the pathway(s) implicated in regulation of salt intake, thereby identifying strategies to reduce excessive salt consumption.
Debilitating anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or panic disorder, affect 14% of adult Australians and current therapy is often ineffective. The amygdala is a brain region that is key to learning fear responses but also in reducing our fear responses. This project will determine whether the brain’s own endogenous opioids can modify the activity of the amygdala in order to provide new leads for novel pharmacotherapies with enhanced efficacy.