BDNF Genotype And Emotional Memory In Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,902.00
Summary
This project addresses the question of why some people develop PTSD following trauma and others don’t. It will assess the influence of genetics (specifically a genotype that influences Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor) on emotional memory processes as distressing emotional memories are a core symptom of PTSD. If we find that people with a particular genetic profile have a greater risk of developing intrusive memories after trauma, this will help us better target treatment for those individuals.
Down syndrome (DS) individuals have 3 copies of chromosome 21. I am proposing to do my PhD to investigate the role of a gene existing on chromosome 21 called Intersectin 1. This gene, when over-expressed might be responsible for manifestation of intellectual impairment in Down syndrome. I will be examining the consequence of altered/over-expression of this gene in receptor trafficking, cell signalling and histology of the brain to identify the differences between affected individuals and the nor ....Down syndrome (DS) individuals have 3 copies of chromosome 21. I am proposing to do my PhD to investigate the role of a gene existing on chromosome 21 called Intersectin 1. This gene, when over-expressed might be responsible for manifestation of intellectual impairment in Down syndrome. I will be examining the consequence of altered/over-expression of this gene in receptor trafficking, cell signalling and histology of the brain to identify the differences between affected individuals and the normal population.Read moreRead less
Identifying Neuroanatomical Sub-phenotypes Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$60,129.00
Summary
The clinical presentation of schizophrenia is varied across individuals, and has arguably hindered efforts to determine its cause/s. This project seeks to address this issue by investigating biological commonality in patients, to identify subgroups of schizophrenia patients with similar brain abnormalities, with the overall aim to examine cognitive and clinical characteristics and candidate genetic markers in association with biologically derived subtypes of schizophrenia.
Growth factors are essential molecules for normal brain development. Variations in the amount of the different growth factors have been implicated in such diseases as AlzheimerÍs and ParkinsonÍs disease. This project will study the precursor of a growth factor known as brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and what specific roles the precursor might play in brain development.
A Systematic Evaluation Of The Neurosurgical Application Of Peri-operative And Intra-operative MR Tractography In Different Paediatric Disease States
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,910.00
Summary
My research investigates changes in brain nerve fibre tracts/white matter in paediatric disease states and changes related to surgery by using nerve fibre tract imaging before, during and after surgery. It will also generate an imaging atlas to help understand white matter pathway development. It then serves as normative comparison to better understand aberrations in diseased neural pathways. The outcome will aid understanding in brain development, recovery and plasticity, and helps improve whit ....My research investigates changes in brain nerve fibre tracts/white matter in paediatric disease states and changes related to surgery by using nerve fibre tract imaging before, during and after surgery. It will also generate an imaging atlas to help understand white matter pathway development. It then serves as normative comparison to better understand aberrations in diseased neural pathways. The outcome will aid understanding in brain development, recovery and plasticity, and helps improve white matter lesion localisation.Read moreRead less
Understanding Predictors Of Fatigue After Brain Injury In Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$98,459.00
Summary
This research will examine what factors predict the fatigue children will experience after brain injury. This study is important because fatigue is one of the most commonly reported and challenging symptoms after traumatic brain injury. It significantly impacts on well being and quality of life after injury. We will assess fatigue of 120 children who suffer brain injury, from Toronto and Melbourne. This study will improve our understanding of the factors that predict fatigue following brain inju ....This research will examine what factors predict the fatigue children will experience after brain injury. This study is important because fatigue is one of the most commonly reported and challenging symptoms after traumatic brain injury. It significantly impacts on well being and quality of life after injury. We will assess fatigue of 120 children who suffer brain injury, from Toronto and Melbourne. This study will improve our understanding of the factors that predict fatigue following brain injury.Read moreRead less
Tissue factor is a central and major player in the clotting process. It exists in both active and inactive forms. The active form initiates clot formation. How it gets activated is one of the most important unanswered questions in this area of research. Our aim is to discover tissue factorÍs mechanism of activation. The outcome will provide more specific targets for therapeutic drug development for cardiovascular disease, strokes and deep venous thrombosis.
Transcriptional Control Of Peripheral T Cell Differentiation During Pathogen Infection And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
White blood cells, specifically helper and killer T cells, play an important role in fighting infection. They are tightly regulated and if not properly controlled can lead to aggressive autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. My studies will elucidate the mechanisms behind the regulation of T cells at steady-state and during disease. Insights gained from this project will have implications for the design of new approaches to combat infectious and autoimmune diseases.
Investigation Into Oral Cancer In Non-drinking And Non-smoking Females
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$109,358.00
Summary
There has been an increase incidence of oral cancer in female non-drinkers, non-smokers. The five year survival following diagnosis can be as low as 15-50% as most cancers are advanced at the time of discovery.Precancerous and cancerous oral lesions may mimic any number of benign oral lesions, and as such may be left without investigation and treatment until well advanced. Further investigations into the cause of oral cancer other than smoking and alcohol will aid in management.