Sensory Innervation Of The Anal Region In Normal And Diabetic Guinea Pigs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,389.00
Summary
Until something goes wrong, we take it for granted that we can empty our bowels on a regular basis, at a time and place of our choosing. Failure to achieve this is very distressing and substantially diminishes quality of life, if it occurs regularly. Disordered defecation, fecal incontinence and constipation are surprisingly common and their prevalence will continue to increase as our population ages and the incidence of diseases such as diabetes increases. In many people suffering these problem ....Until something goes wrong, we take it for granted that we can empty our bowels on a regular basis, at a time and place of our choosing. Failure to achieve this is very distressing and substantially diminishes quality of life, if it occurs regularly. Disordered defecation, fecal incontinence and constipation are surprisingly common and their prevalence will continue to increase as our population ages and the incidence of diseases such as diabetes increases. In many people suffering these problems, there is a detectable dysfunction of the sensory nerves in the anal region. These nerves supply information from the anal region to the spinal cord that can cause us to sense activity in our lower bowel and initiate defecation reflexes. These sensory pathways are important for clinical gastroenterology, but remarkably little is known about them. We are now able to investigate what it is the sensory nerves in the anal region sense, what they look like and where they go to in the spinal cord - in a single project. To do this we will use simple, but novel techniques that have been developed in this laboratory in an animal model. Once we know this, we will compare the function of sensory nerves in the anal region in diabetic animals with normal animals. This will give us insight into the role of sensory nerves in the development of fecal incontinence an unpleasant symptom for many people suffering advanced diabetes. My systematic approach will provide understanding of the basic cellular mechanisms and nerve pathways that underlie sensation in the anal region, helping both clinicians and patients understand the cause of defecatory disorders and potentially pointing the way to new therapies and strategies for diagnosis.Read moreRead less
Strategies To Restore Bladder Control After Peripheral Nerve Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$519,967.00
Summary
A major complication of pelvic surgery is loss of bladder control, mainly due to nerve injury at the time of removing cancerous tissue. This has a big effect on quality of life. Very little research has been conducted on injured bladder nerves. In this project we will investigate what happens to bladder nerves after injury and how we can make them regrow. We will also investigate if undamaged bladder nerves can be made to compensate for the lost function.
Can Persistent Bladder Pain Be Treated By Targeting TRPA1 Expressing Nociceptors?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,730.00
Summary
Persistent visceral pain is extremely difficult to treat and manage. To solve this problem we need to understand how pain nerves in internal organs differ from those in skin and muscle. We have discovered a pain-detecting molecule TRPA1 in bladder sensory nerves. We aim to show how bladder inflammation changes the function of these bladder pain detectors and test a new way of selectively anesthetising them. We also will use a new technique to study how the bladder lining detects pain.
SENSORIMOTOR AND AUTONOMIC DYSREGULATION IN HEREDITARY SENSORY AND AUTONOMIC NEUROPATHIES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$50,406.00
Summary
Specific genetic mutations can lead to widespread changes in the body. Here we are looking at the congenital Hereditary and Sensory Autonomic Neuropathies, the most common of which primarily affects Eastern European Jews. Affected individuals have difficulty walking and controlling their blood pressure, and also have an indifference to pain. This series of experiments aims to increase our understanding of the underlying neurophysiological disturbances.
Peripheral and central mechanisms of sensory coding and integration. The research described in this proposal seeks to provide generic answers to fundamental questions about sensory processes, the nature of perceptual experience, and how these are subserved by the nervous system. The study of inter-sensory interactions in perception has the potential to be incorporated into the development of virtual reality-type computer-based technologies. The neurophysiology research will provide basic informa ....Peripheral and central mechanisms of sensory coding and integration. The research described in this proposal seeks to provide generic answers to fundamental questions about sensory processes, the nature of perceptual experience, and how these are subserved by the nervous system. The study of inter-sensory interactions in perception has the potential to be incorporated into the development of virtual reality-type computer-based technologies. The neurophysiology research will provide basic information that has the potential to deepen our understanding, and even enhance possible treatment, of neurological conditions that involve sensory systems.Read moreRead less
Promoting Regrowth Of Nerve Fibres Into The Epidermis During Diabetic Neuropathy By LRP Agonists
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$427,102.00
Summary
Nerve damage can develop post injury or disease and is often very debilitating, slow to heal and can cause increased pain. Our work aims to examine a new class of molecules that we show can activate selected fat-receptors on nerve cells to guide the growth of regenerating nerves. We will determine how these receptors function with the aim of developing a novel class of therapeutics directed at healing nerve damage.
The role of spike patterning in shaping human perception of tactile stimuli. Every touch sensation from our fingertips is conveyed to the brain through the nerves by means of electrical impulses similar to any digital device. Using unique technology developed in our lab we can intercept this neural communication and insert our own messages to test how these signals are interpreted and converted into perceptual experiences. We aim to reveal the rules by which timing of neural signal patterns shap ....The role of spike patterning in shaping human perception of tactile stimuli. Every touch sensation from our fingertips is conveyed to the brain through the nerves by means of electrical impulses similar to any digital device. Using unique technology developed in our lab we can intercept this neural communication and insert our own messages to test how these signals are interpreted and converted into perceptual experiences. We aim to reveal the rules by which timing of neural signal patterns shapes the perception of touch - specifically intensity and frequency of vibration. By recording signals from neurons and by testing human perception, we will learn about neural processing mechanisms. The new knowledge generated about sensory coding will be essential for rendering a virtual sense of touch.Read moreRead less
The encoding of friction by tactile mechanoreceptors - the key to fingertip force control during dexterous object manipulation by humans. Unmatched human ability to control the hand so that brittle objects are gently held without slipping, or being crushed by excessive force rely on sophisticated tactile sense in the fingertips. This project will record and analyse signals which human nerves are sending from fingertip receptors to the brain centres controlling hand actions.
Sensory mechanisms underlying human dexterity in object manipulation. This project aims to understand the sensory mechanisms and biomechanics underlying sensory encoding. Tactile sensory information is crucial for controlling grip forces so that delicate objects are held without slipping, or being crushed by excessive force. This project will record signals from single human tactile receptors using microneurography. By modelling the neural data with skin biomechanical events, this project aims t ....Sensory mechanisms underlying human dexterity in object manipulation. This project aims to understand the sensory mechanisms and biomechanics underlying sensory encoding. Tactile sensory information is crucial for controlling grip forces so that delicate objects are held without slipping, or being crushed by excessive force. This project will record signals from single human tactile receptors using microneurography. By modelling the neural data with skin biomechanical events, this project aims to reveal sensory mechanisms underlying the human ability to manipulate objects and use tools. This research could lead to next generation sensory-controlled prosthetics and robotic manipulators.Read moreRead less
Identifying The Underlying Causes Of Chronic Visceral Pain And Discovering Novel Therapeutic Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,144.00
Summary
Chronic pain is a major, but under appreciated social, clinical and economic challenge. Globally >1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain. In the USA alone pain is the leading cause of disability, affecting 115 million adults and costing >$630 billion, more than cancer, heart disease and diabetes combined. By using pre-clinical models and translational science this proposal will identify the key mechanisms underlying chronic pain and also identify novel targets for new therapeutic trea ....Chronic pain is a major, but under appreciated social, clinical and economic challenge. Globally >1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain. In the USA alone pain is the leading cause of disability, affecting 115 million adults and costing >$630 billion, more than cancer, heart disease and diabetes combined. By using pre-clinical models and translational science this proposal will identify the key mechanisms underlying chronic pain and also identify novel targets for new therapeutic treatmentRead moreRead less