The Modulation Of Neuronal Activity By Inter-cortical Sensory Input
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,771.00
Summary
For any given behaviour, the brain must merge information from all different sensory systems to generate a coherent representation of the external world. How this is achieved is largely unknown and is the basis of this research proposal. Here, using cutting edge recording techniques, the activity of brain cells within the cortex will be measured during the activation of multiple sensory systems. This research will provide insight into therapeutic approaches to local brain damage.
Astroglial Remodelling Of The Interhemispheric Midline Is Regulated By Deleted In Colorectal Cancer (DCC) Signalling And Is Required For Corpus Callosum Formation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$669,400.00
Summary
The integration of information between the brain hemispheres occurs via a large bundle of connecting nerve fibres called the corpus callosum. People with a genetic mutation in DCC display mirror movement disorder and some have a severe brain defect where the corpus callosum fails to form, but at present we don’t understand the function of this gene. In this study we will investigate how DCC functions in early brain development to regulate corpus callosum formation and mirror movement disorder.
Mechanisms Guiding Pathfinding And Positioning Of Cortical Interneurons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,606.00
Summary
Brain disorders place an economic and social burden on Australia and the personal costs of these illnesses are immeasurable. Several brain abnormalities are caused from the failure of neurons to position themselves in the correct location when the brain develops. Our study aims to discover how neurons move and what factors influence this process. It provides an understanding of normal brain development, as well as providing insight into what may go wrong in the formation of brain diseases.
Metabolism And Neurotoxicity Of Hemin And Hemin-derived Iron
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$346,400.00
Summary
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in industrialised countries. Much of the brain damage that follows a hemorrhagic stroke is attributable to the presence of free iron which mediates oxidative stress in brain cells. This iron originates from hemin, which in turn is derived from the hemoglobin in extravasated blood cells. The fact that iron is freed from hemin in the post-stroke period makes it an attractive therapeutic target. However, remarkably little is known about the metaboli ....Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in industrialised countries. Much of the brain damage that follows a hemorrhagic stroke is attributable to the presence of free iron which mediates oxidative stress in brain cells. This iron originates from hemin, which in turn is derived from the hemoglobin in extravasated blood cells. The fact that iron is freed from hemin in the post-stroke period makes it an attractive therapeutic target. However, remarkably little is known about the metabolism of hemin by the different types of brain cells. The present project investigates the metabolism and neurotoxicity of hemin in brain cells and will examine the capacity of potential therapeutic agents to protect brain cells from hemin toxicity. The data obtained from this project will advance our understanding of the uptake and metabolism of hemin by the four main types of brain cell, and the factors that are likely to be involved in the neurotoxicity of hemin-derived iron following hemorrhagic stroke. The study will also provide data concerning the relative effectiveness of potential therapeutic agents, and information concerning the cell types, time points and aspects of hemin metabolism that are most effectively targeted by these agents. Such advances will guide the development of therapeutic approaches that are directed at minimising the brain damage which results from hemin-derived iron in humans.Read moreRead less
Neural Circuits For Odour-processing In The Rodent Piriform Cortex 'in Vivo'
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$488,817.00
Summary
We are studying the brain circuits that enable mammals to recognise odours. We will apply puffs of odorants to the nose of an anaesthetised mouse while measuring electrical signals in the odour-processing region of its cerebral cortex. Our work will answer fundamental questions about how the brain interprets sensory inputs in order to build a coherent picture of the world. This is basic research that will, in the longer term, shed light on the disturbances that occur during mental illness.
Mechanisms Of PTEN Regulation By Ndfip1 And Their Biological Consequences For Neuron Survival During Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,640.00
Summary
We have discovered a new protein (Ndfip1) that protects brain cells from death after brain injury from trauma and stroke. We will investigate why this protein is activated only in some, but not in other, brain cells after injury. In this application, we will study the mechanisms behind neuron protection, and use this information to explore how to increase the number of brain cells activating Ndfip1.
Disorder in the circuits that process emotional stimuli are central in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders. In this grant we will study the circuits that are inolved in fear learnng. Our results will provide the background to developing more effective therapies for a range of anxiety related disorders such as generalised anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder.
Impact Of Somatic Versus Dendritic Inhibition On Neuronal Output
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,047,686.00
Summary
The brain is made up of literally billions of neurons connected in complex networks. These neurons come in two primary flavors - excitatory and inhibitory - which work in balance. Too much excitation and the brain becomes epileptic, too much inhibitory and we go into a coma. This proposal focuses on the role of specific inhibitory cell types in regulating brain function, and has relevant to a range of neurological disorders from epilepsy, to schizophrenia to depression.
Emotionally traumatic experiences are well remembered and, in some instances, frequent reminders of these events can lead to the development of fear-related anxiety disorders such as phobia or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The experiments outlined in this proposal will examine how a novel epigenetic mechanism of gene regulation contributes to the transition from the retrieval of a fear memory to its inhibition through a process called extinction.
Role Of Calcium-activated Potassium Channels In Neuronal Excitability, Synaptic Plasticity And Sensory Processing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,272.00
Summary
Disturbances in brain function, as occur in diseases such as epilepsy and schizophrenia, are associated with abnormal electrical activity. This electrical activity leads to increases in calcium inside nerve cells. In this project we plan to investigate how changes in calcium inside nerve cells regulates electrical activity, and how this impacts on the capacity of the brain to process and learn new information.