Targeting Tau Phosphorylation To Treat And Prevent Acquired Epilepsy, Neurodegeneration And Neuropsychiatric Disease Following A Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,820.00
Summary
This project will explore a new approach to the prevention and treatment of epilepsy and the associated mental health disorders following a brain injury. This involves inhibiting pathological forms of the Tau protein, which has been implicated in the development of epilepsy and neurodegeneration. The drug that will be tested in this study has already been demonstrated to be safe and well tolerated in humans, meaning that a positive result from these studies could be expediently translated into c ....This project will explore a new approach to the prevention and treatment of epilepsy and the associated mental health disorders following a brain injury. This involves inhibiting pathological forms of the Tau protein, which has been implicated in the development of epilepsy and neurodegeneration. The drug that will be tested in this study has already been demonstrated to be safe and well tolerated in humans, meaning that a positive result from these studies could be expediently translated into clinical studies.Read moreRead less
Brain Protection: A new therapeutic approach for Multiple Sclerosis In Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain. The immune attacks destroy myelin, the protective coat around electrical cables in the brain (demyelination). Current treatments for MS are only partially effective, and work by reducing the number and severity of these attacks. However, MS-related permanent disability in the majority of sufferers is due to the development of progressive MS, and current ....Brain Protection: A new therapeutic approach for Multiple Sclerosis In Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain. The immune attacks destroy myelin, the protective coat around electrical cables in the brain (demyelination). Current treatments for MS are only partially effective, and work by reducing the number and severity of these attacks. However, MS-related permanent disability in the majority of sufferers is due to the development of progressive MS, and current therapies do not reduce this progression. It is believed that one major cause of this permanent disability is permanent myelin loss. Interestingly, we have already shown that the growth factor LIF is made by the body during MS-like inflammation, and that it limits damage by directly protecting myelin-producing cells. However, the bodies own LIF production during inflammation is sub-maximal, because myelin protection can be enhanced by giving additional therapeutic LIF. This suggests that (1) The brain produces a defence response to harmful inflammation and that (2) This defence response can be enhanced therapeutically. We therefore want to define exactly how LIF enhances myelin survival. We have measured the response to LIF in myelin-producing cells, and have discovered that it strongly stimulates the production of the small protein galanin. We will now assess if galanin itself protects myelin and myelin-producing cells, and we will test this both in isolated cells and whole animal models. If galanin production is a major mechanism by which the body tries to limit the damage from abnormal inflammation during MS, then medications that mimic the action of galanin (which are already under development for different reasons) could become a major new therapy for Multiple Sclerosis.Read moreRead less
Analysing and disrupting outlaw motorcycle gangs in Australia. This project aims to reveal the structure and social dynamics of co-offending networks by OMCGs in Australia. Outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) cause significant social and economic harm in Australia and internationally. The project will generate new knowledge about OMCG co-offending using an innovative multimethod approach combining social network analysis with interviews and focus groups. Expected outcomes include a deeper understand ....Analysing and disrupting outlaw motorcycle gangs in Australia. This project aims to reveal the structure and social dynamics of co-offending networks by OMCGs in Australia. Outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) cause significant social and economic harm in Australia and internationally. The project will generate new knowledge about OMCG co-offending using an innovative multimethod approach combining social network analysis with interviews and focus groups. Expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of OMCG criminal activity across Australia and refined theory development about co-offending in criminal groups. The project will lead to improved policy, legislation and policing practice to prevent OMCG crime and dismantle OMCG criminal networks in more cost-effective ways.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100080
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,321.00
Summary
Harnessing the power of ordinary people to prevent cyber abuse. Cyber abuse is a serious social problem that requires an urgent solution. The project aims to improve our understanding of cyber abuse intervention by ordinary citizens by utilising innovative research methods. The project expects to generate new knowledge about the mechanisms of prevention of cyber abuse victimisation and to produce an evidence-based intervention training program. Expected outcomes of this project include a new the ....Harnessing the power of ordinary people to prevent cyber abuse. Cyber abuse is a serious social problem that requires an urgent solution. The project aims to improve our understanding of cyber abuse intervention by ordinary citizens by utilising innovative research methods. The project expects to generate new knowledge about the mechanisms of prevention of cyber abuse victimisation and to produce an evidence-based intervention training program. Expected outcomes of this project include a new theoretical paradigm as well as evidence-based policy recommendations for preventing cyber abuse. These could provide significant benefits, such as reduced physical, psychological and economic costs associated with victimisation and the burden on the police and criminal justice system.Read moreRead less
As women age, the quality of their eggs decline and their chance of having a healthy baby plummets. The accumulation of DNA damage within the egg, and the reduced ability to repair this damage, may be one cause of compromised reproductive success in older women. This project will investigate the ability of eggs to repair DNA damage during maternal aging and will explore the importance of DNA repair to fertility and the transmission of high quality genetic material to their offspring.
Examining The Importance Of DNA Damage Repair For Oocyte Quality, Female Fertility And Offspring Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
As women age, the quality of their eggs decline and their chance of having a healthy baby plummets. The accumulation of DNA damage within the egg, and the reduced ability to repair this damage, may be one cause of compromised reproductive success in older women. This project will investigate the ability of eggs to repair DNA damage during maternal aging and will explore the importance of DNA repair to fertility and the transmission of high quality genetic material to their offspring.
Domestic violence disclosure schemes: A national review. In 2014 family violence was declared a national emergency in Australia. In the years since there has been extensive law reform activity. Domestic violence disclosure schemes have emerged within this context as a policy option that may improve safety outcomes for victims. However, there is currently no evidence as to the impact of these schemes and no consultation with victims as to their value. This project aims to generate the evidence re ....Domestic violence disclosure schemes: A national review. In 2014 family violence was declared a national emergency in Australia. In the years since there has been extensive law reform activity. Domestic violence disclosure schemes have emerged within this context as a policy option that may improve safety outcomes for victims. However, there is currently no evidence as to the impact of these schemes and no consultation with victims as to their value. This project aims to generate the evidence required to inform decisions about the introduction of these schemes, to better understand what victim/survivors want from them, and how such schemes can be effectively operationalised. The findings seek to be relevant to all Australian states and territories as well as international jurisdictions.Read moreRead less
Preventing intimate partner homicide. The project aims to develop a framework for an integrated whole systems preventive approach to intimate partner homicide – the most common type of violence against women worldwide and the leading cause of death amongst Australian women aged between 15 and 44. The project will review a decade of intimate partner homicides in Australia to identify points of intervention that might have prevented killings. This knowledge is intended to inform and help develop a ....Preventing intimate partner homicide. The project aims to develop a framework for an integrated whole systems preventive approach to intimate partner homicide – the most common type of violence against women worldwide and the leading cause of death amongst Australian women aged between 15 and 44. The project will review a decade of intimate partner homicides in Australia to identify points of intervention that might have prevented killings. This knowledge is intended to inform and help develop a more risk-sensitive preventive approach to intimate partner homicides in Australia and overseas, enhancing women’s security and preventing their deaths.Read moreRead less
Quantifying The Role Of Epigenetic Factors In Neurocognitive Outcomes: A Twin Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,516,790.00
Summary
We aim to identify the environmental factors in early life that contribute towards an individual brain development using MRI brain scans and related psychological skills measured in late childhood. We are using twins to better understand differences in their early life environments independent of genetics.