The Genetic And Environmental Determinants Of Amyloid Deposition In Older Individuals: An Amyloid Imaging Study Using The Twin Design
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,267.00
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease is characterised by the deposition of amyloid plaques in the brain. We don’t fully understand how amyloid deposition occurs and what contribution is made by genetic and environmental factors. Amyloid deposition in the brain can now be quantified during life using positron emission tomography. In this study, we will examine brain amyloid in twins, which will determine what proportion of the pathology is attributable to environmental factors that may be modifiable.
Dementia Related Deficits In Striatal Cholinergic Function And Decision-making
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,370.00
Summary
This proposal will provide essential new information on the role of deficits in decision-making associated with Parkinson’s disease dementia. We will use an innovative animal model to assess the influence of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation the consequent loss of function in the neuronal systems supporting the learning and memory processes that contribute to goal-directed action, particularly the way new learning interacts with existing memory to guide choice and decision-making.
Developing A Pathophysiological Model For Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Path To Biomarker Discovery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Despite the efficacy of stimulant medication in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), we lack mechanistic accounts of the neuropathology of ADHD. A major barrier is the lack of human disease models representing clinical symptoms. The derivation of a novel, cell-based ADHD model proposed in this project will shed new light on the physiological bases of ADHD and be a rich resource for biomarker discovery
IRAP inhibitors are currently being developed as a new class of drugs for treating dementia and other forms of memory deficits. However, there are still gaps in our knowledge about how these drugs act to improve memory. The experiments outlined in this proposal will provide important insights into the drug action in different mouse models of memory deficit.