Mechanisms Underlying Increased Cardiac And Renal Noradrenaline Spillover During Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$492,681.00
Summary
Heart failure is associated with increased release of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline from sympathetic nerves to the heart and the kidney. The raised levels of this neurotransmitter in the heart and the kidney are harmful and lead to reduced survival in heart failure patients. This project will increase our understanding of the mechanisms that control noradrenaline release and may lead to better treatment paradigms to target the detrimental increase in release in heart failure.
Hypothalamic Orexin Neurons And The Medullary Sympathoadrenal Centre: A Key Role In Glucose Homeostasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$577,957.00
Summary
Hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar is a major side-effect of the treatment of diabetes. Exposure to hypoglycaemia results in changes in the brain (neuroplasticity) that reduce the awareness of hypoglycaemia, often with serious consequences. Hypoglycaemia triggers the production of several hormones including adrenaline which restore normal blood glucose. This process is incompletely understood. This research project will identify key components of the neurocircuitry that controls blood sugar.
Light, Sound And Touch Influence The Autonomic Nervous System Via A Non-canonical Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$329,666.00
Summary
We examine a recently discovered brain circuit through which visual and acoustic stimuli can interact with the neural systems that control breathing, blood pressure and heart rate. The outcomes of this project will characterise a pathway by which the external environment can interrupt the normal activity of systems vital for health and wellbeing independent of cognition.
The brain regulates body temperature by a series of mechanisms, including the control of how much blood flows to the skin to lose or retain heat. The project aims to locate the brain temperature receptors and brain pathways that do this, using an animal model, the rat. At present they are not known.
Central Nervous Pathways For The Sympathetic Control Of Immune Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,741.00
Summary
The nervous system regulates immune system function by a special set of nerves that are part of the sympathetic nervous system. This project aims to work out which brain pathways control them.
Understanding The Origins Of Neurogenic Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$668,914.00
Summary
Brain cells that control the cardiovascular system are thought to have stopped dividing by adulthood. We recently discovered that this is not the case. Our initial findings suggest that these nascent cells might be important for maintaining normal blood pressure. This work will allow us to elucidate the function of these nascent cells and how they integrate into the circuit that controls the cardiovascular system. Our findings will be fundamental for understanding diseases such as hypertension.
Renal Denervation To Improve Outcomes In Patients With End-stage Renal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,028,558.00
Summary
End stage renal disease is associated with excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Activation of sympathetic nerves plays an important role in this scenario. We have pioneered a novel catheter-based approach using radiofrequency-energy to disrupt these nerves and we now aim to assess the mechanisms and consequences of applying this novel technology in patients with end-stage renal disease.
Understanding The Contribution Of Sympathetic Overactivity To Maternally Programmed Obesity Related Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,083.00
Summary
Obesity and associated diseases are increasing worldwide. Aside from adult risk factors, the environment encountered during development may predispose to later disease. Our data shows that the diet consumed by pregnant mothers can influence the development of obesity and hypertension in her offspring and that the sympathetic nervous system becomes dysregulated. This project will assess how maternal fat intake in pregnancy affects sympathetic nervous system function in the offspring and we invest ....Obesity and associated diseases are increasing worldwide. Aside from adult risk factors, the environment encountered during development may predispose to later disease. Our data shows that the diet consumed by pregnant mothers can influence the development of obesity and hypertension in her offspring and that the sympathetic nervous system becomes dysregulated. This project will assess how maternal fat intake in pregnancy affects sympathetic nervous system function in the offspring and we investigate possible management strategies.Read moreRead less
The Brain As A Therapeutic Target For Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$923,432.00
Summary
In heart failure there is a large increase in sympathetic nerve activity to the heart that leads to damage to the heart and sudden death. We have shown that lesion of the area postrema, a brain nucleus that senses hormones in the blood, reduces nerve activity to the heart and, importantly, improves cardiac function. We aim to translate these findings into a treatment that can be used clinically, which our findings compellingly indicate should improve cardiac function in heart failure
A Randomised Trial Examining The Effectiveness Of Sympathetic Nervous Inhibition In Alleviating The Metabolic Side Effects Of Antipsychotic Medications In Patients With Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$477,426.00
Summary
Despite improved diagnosis and increased use of antipsychotic medications the mortality risk in patients with schizophrenia remains 2-3 times that of the general population, largely due to cardiovascular disease development. In this project we will test the effectiveness of sympathetic nervous inhibition with moxonidine (as add on therapy) in alleviating the metabolic side effects of antipsychotic medications in patients with schizophrenia.