Biomaterials For The Direct Reprograming Of Reactive Astrocytes Into Functional Neurons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$630,500.00
Summary
We will employ peptide inspired hydrogel nanoscaffolds that can be injected into a brain lesion as a single injection to provide chemical and physical support for the surrounding cells. We will utilize various modifications to these materials to reprogram inflammatory cells into neurons, whilst also promoting the survival, maintenance and growth of existing neurons to encourage repair.
Neural Control Of Behavioural State And Cognition - Role Of Nucleus Incertus And Relaxin-3
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,771.00
Summary
Dementia and mental illness are significant social and economic burdens worldwide and knowledge of underlying causes and more effective therapies are required. Our research is using preclinical models to characterize a little studied neural network in the control of arousal states, rhythmic brain activity, and learning and memory. Our findings could advance the development of improved treatments for cognitive deficits in degenerative, age-related and psychiatric disorders.
Selective Isolation And In Vivo Properties Of Dopamine Neurons Generated From Embryonic Stem Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$505,389.00
Summary
This research aims to develop a procedure that allows for the safe and effective use of stem cells as a therapy for Parkinson’s disease. It is based on the concept that new dopamine neurons, generated from stem cells, can be implanted into the brain of the patients in order to replace those lost to the disease, thereby improving motor function.
The impact of female sex hormones on neurodevelopment. This project aims to characterise the contribution of sex hormones to the development of emotional brain circuits in female adolescents. Puberty is associated with profound changes in emotional behaviours in females, but we know little about the underlying brain mechanisms. In particular, research has neglected to consider the role of the sex hormones for which changes are a defining feature of female puberty (eg, oestradiol). This work will ....The impact of female sex hormones on neurodevelopment. This project aims to characterise the contribution of sex hormones to the development of emotional brain circuits in female adolescents. Puberty is associated with profound changes in emotional behaviours in females, but we know little about the underlying brain mechanisms. In particular, research has neglected to consider the role of the sex hormones for which changes are a defining feature of female puberty (eg, oestradiol). This work will be the first to comprehensively advance our understanding of the unique role of sex hormones in shaping the adolescent female brain. It will provide critical understanding of how individual differences in hormonal factors increase risk for emotional problems in females, and inform treatment strategies.Read moreRead less
Ascending Control Of Behavioural State And Cognition - Role Of Nucleus Incertus And Relaxin-3 Transmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,356.00
Summary
Mental illness and dementia are significant social and economic burdens worldwide and knowledge of their underlying causes and more effective therapies are required. Our research aims to use pre-clinical models to characterize a little studied neuronal network implicated in control of brain theta rhythm activity, which could lead to improved treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases such as anxiety and depression, and degenerative cognitive decline.
Exploring Scanning Ultrasound (SUS), A Novel Method To Treat And Prevent Neurodegenerative Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$765,708.00
Summary
We developed a novel scanning ultrasound (SUS) protocol that clears toxic protein aggregates and restores memory function in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD), without the need for therapeutic agents. Here we aim to determine whether SUS has preventative potential, whether there are synergistic effects, and whether a therapeutic antibody combined with SUS leads to an enhanced therapeutic outcome. Together this will guide the development of an ultrasound therapy in AD patients.
Relaxin-3/RXFP3 Signalling And Regulation Of Affective Behaviour _ Studies In Normal/transgenic Mice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,268.00
Summary
Mental illness is a significant social and economic burden worldwide and knowledge of the underlying causes and more effective therapies are required. Our research aims to use pre-clinical animal models to characterize a little studied brain neuronal network implicated in control of arousal and stress, which could lead to improved treatment of psychiatric disorders such as depression.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101071
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Does obesity alter the associations to food related cues, contexts and responses? Obesity is increasing dramatically in the developed world. The reasons for this are unclear, however the abundance of cheap, palatable food is clearly a contributing factor. Studies suggest differences arise in the processing of food rewards between overweight and lean individuals and the way they respond to food associated cues. This indicates that food associated cues may be more likely to evoke feeding behaviour ....Does obesity alter the associations to food related cues, contexts and responses? Obesity is increasing dramatically in the developed world. The reasons for this are unclear, however the abundance of cheap, palatable food is clearly a contributing factor. Studies suggest differences arise in the processing of food rewards between overweight and lean individuals and the way they respond to food associated cues. This indicates that food associated cues may be more likely to evoke feeding behaviours in absence of metabolic needs, therefore contributing to over eating that leads to obesity. This project will determine how rats, exposed to a model of our obesogenic western diet, process distinct cues and contexts associated with food rewards and control value driven responses to gain food rewards.Read moreRead less
Brain sodium channel: functional role of developmentally regulated alternative splicing. This project will identify the roles of neonatal and adult forms of a sodium channel in the function of neurons in the developing brain. Sodium channels are vital for brain function and this study will improve our understanding of the function of healthy brain as well as of underlying mechanisms of some neurological disorders.
How does timing affect mammalian brain development and evolution? This project aims to generate fundamental knowledge on the origin of diversity in mammalian brain circuits by studying development of marsupials and rodents. The expected outcome is to elucidate how differences in the timing, rate and sequence of development of gene expression, cell differentiation and circuit formation can relate to the origin of key evolutionary innovations in the mammalian brain. The significance of understandi ....How does timing affect mammalian brain development and evolution? This project aims to generate fundamental knowledge on the origin of diversity in mammalian brain circuits by studying development of marsupials and rodents. The expected outcome is to elucidate how differences in the timing, rate and sequence of development of gene expression, cell differentiation and circuit formation can relate to the origin of key evolutionary innovations in the mammalian brain. The significance of understanding the dynamics of developmental systems that shape complex brain traits includes establishing new developmental paradigms in evolutionary theory, generating new tools to investigate and manipulate brain gene expression in vivo, and the potential discovery of the causes of neurodevelopmental dysfunction.Read moreRead less