Learning And Network Plasticity In A Primitive Sensory Cortex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,557.00
Summary
Our brain is a uniquely powerful supercomputer, in part because it is ‘plastic’ -- that is, it can change itself when we adapt or learn something new. An understanding of the causes of brain plasticity is an essential part of any quest to understand the brain in sickness and in health. This research uses a laser microscope to ‘read the minds’ of mice as they learn about odours. By observing plasticity in action, we will gain deeper insights into normal brain function.
The research outlined in this application seeks to examine the role of calcium in the pathogenesis of AD. It will examine the hypothesis that the build-up of a protein known as the Abeta causes an increase in levels of calcium in nerve cells of the brain. This increase in calcium may trigger nerve cell damage and dementia. The ultimate aim of the research is to identify new targets for drug development in Alzheimer's disease.
Deciphering The Mechanisms Underlying LRP-mediated Axon Guidance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,659.00
Summary
Nerve damage can develop post injury or disease and are often very debilitating, slow to heal and 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 Store-operated Calcium Entry In Neuronal Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$353,140.00
Summary
Defects in brain development can manifest in a range of disorders including autism and mental retardation. The highly complex, precise network that is our nervous system forms during development. Our work will determine the role of key proteins in guiding developing neurons. Understanding the function of such proteins will improve our ability to predict the outcome caused by mutations in these proteins, in the developing foetus.
Targeting Early Cellular Damage During Secondary Degeneration Using Nanosphere-based Drug Delivery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,407.00
Summary
After brain injury, there are no treatments to stop the spread of damage to intact tissue, a process involving different cell types and biochemical events. Clinical trials have targeted one event and have failed because large therapeutic doses are toxic and because combined treatments are needed to target different events. We will harness nanotechnology to target delivery of small, sustained doses of one or more drugs to specific cell types and biochemical events to stop the spread of damage.
Understanding The Roles Of Dendritic Domains In Neuronal Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$491,509.00
Summary
We aim to find cellular basis to cognitive function and dysfunction by understanding the input/output characterstics of individual neurons. Since neurons are fundamental computational units in the brain, we aim to understand how synaptic inputs to different dendritic regions are processed prompting the neuron to fire an output. We also aim to seek distinct roles of certain dendritic branches in gating sensory inputs onto the neuron.
Defining Role Of Inflammatory Signals In Enhancing Motoneuron Regeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$546,688.00
Summary
Spinal cord injury is a devastating event that has a life-long impact on the patient’s life with wide-reaching social and economic effects. In this proposal we examine how inflammatory signals boost neuronal regeneration after injury. Furthermore, we define how new neurons are able to integrate into existing spinal circuitry. Out work provides critical insight and hold keys to unlocking strategies for future restorative therapies in the brain or spinal cord.
Fibroblast Growth Factors In The Development Of Forebrain Commissures
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$497,796.00
Summary
In order to function correctly the two hemispheres of the brain must communicate information. This communication occurs across large fibre tracts called commissures. There are three commissural projections in the forebrain; the corpus callosum, the hippocampal commissure and the anterior commissure. Here we investigate the development of these commissures and provide a comprehensive analysis of the role of several secreted, fibroblast growth factor proteins, in their development.