Harnessing The Extracellular Matrix To Fight Obesity-induced Cognitive Impairment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
The health burden of obesity in Australia is great, but the detrimental impact of obesity on brain function is not yet understood. This research program takes an innovative approach to define how obesity changes non-neuronal brain components that regulate neuroplasticity and protect neurons from damage. Outcomes will define new mechanisms to prevent obesity-induced cognitive impairment and critical knowledge gain leading to novel therapeutic approaches and policy changes to improve health.
Developing New Treatment Approaches For Severe And Treatment Resistant Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,060,520.00
Summary
Depression is a common, disabling problem. One third of depressed patients do not respond to treatment with standard medications and psychological therapy. This research program will focus on developing new treatment approaches for these people: optimising electroconvulsive therapy, a highly effective treatment, developing new non invasive brain stimulation treatments, generating new knowledge on how best to use ketamine treatment.
Deciphering The Dynamic Neural Basis Of Cognition And Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,287,350.00
Summary
Understanding the way that the human brain works is an immense challenge, but it is one that is within our reach. My plan is to unlock the untapped potential of human brain imaging using methods from network science, physics and computational modelling. The project will create working models of the brain that we can use to test hypotheses about how the brain works at the systems level. This will allow us predict how the brain begins to deteriorate in dementia and pave the way for new treatments.