The Relationship Between Cognition And Interictal Discharges: Language Organization And Spike Localisation In BECTS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$216,500.00
Summary
Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS, rolandic epilepsy) is a common cause of seizures in primary school children. Despite this it is poorly understood. Although seizures are infrequent, brainwave recordings (electroencephalography, EEG) reveal striking abnormalities present much of the time. Large, sharply contoured brain waves (spikes) are seen frequently, increasing during sleep. The pattern of the spikes, and the characteristic nature of seizures have suggested the epilepsy ari ....Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS, rolandic epilepsy) is a common cause of seizures in primary school children. Despite this it is poorly understood. Although seizures are infrequent, brainwave recordings (electroencephalography, EEG) reveal striking abnormalities present much of the time. Large, sharply contoured brain waves (spikes) are seen frequently, increasing during sleep. The pattern of the spikes, and the characteristic nature of seizures have suggested the epilepsy arises near the face area of the motor cortex, but this remains unproven. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a safe and non-invasive way of imaging cerebral function, to reveal the brain at work . The technology is contributing to major advances in understanding of basic human functions such as language. Recent developments at the Brain Research Institute in Melbourne mean it is now possible to record EEG during fMRI. This has permitted visualisation of spike activity in the brain. The BRI is the only centre in Australia, and one of only a handful in the world that is able to perform such studies. One purpose of this study is reveal the location of spikes in BECTS. Recent studies have revealed subtle language and learning difficulties in BECTS children. Our preliminary EEG-fMRI studies have suggested spikes arise from brain regions adjacent to important language areas. It is possible that the frequent spikes of BECTS are interfering with adjacent cognitive processes. In addition to spike mapping, we will perform functional imaging of language to look for interactions between spike and language areas, and compare with patterns of language activation seen in normal children. The demonstration of spike related affects on cognition may lead to a reassessment of current epilepsy management strategies, which focus predominately on seizure control. This study, with researchers in Cairns and Melbourne, shares the benefits of world class research with regional Australia.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL100100099
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,340,409.00
Summary
An accelerating journey to the new era of Petabyte optical memory systems. Optical data storage is one of the core aspects of optical information technology which has been globally recognised as one of the next generation high-technology areas that can boost our economy for sustainable development. However, the emergence of blue ray or high-definition DVDs has identified that current optical data storage technology will soon approach the limit of the data storage capacity of approximately 100 Gi ....An accelerating journey to the new era of Petabyte optical memory systems. Optical data storage is one of the core aspects of optical information technology which has been globally recognised as one of the next generation high-technology areas that can boost our economy for sustainable development. However, the emergence of blue ray or high-definition DVDs has identified that current optical data storage technology will soon approach the limit of the data storage capacity of approximately 100 Gigabytes. The ground-breaking Petabyte data storage technology we will research will result in the storage capacity of 10,000 DVDs in one disc and thus underpin every sector of our modern life such as remote education, portable banking, global e-security and telemedicine as well as lead to enormous economic benefits in Australia.Read moreRead less
Breaking bandwidth barriers: Non-volatile tuneable terahertz metamaterials. This project aims to investigate non-volatile tuneable terahertz (THz) metamaterials, based on the exploitation of phase change materials. Tuneable metamaterial-based THz devices, such as filters and modulators, could generate significant downstream intellectual property for wireless applications. This fills a critical need to meet the increasing demand for greater bandwidth between desktop devices. Expected outcomes inc ....Breaking bandwidth barriers: Non-volatile tuneable terahertz metamaterials. This project aims to investigate non-volatile tuneable terahertz (THz) metamaterials, based on the exploitation of phase change materials. Tuneable metamaterial-based THz devices, such as filters and modulators, could generate significant downstream intellectual property for wireless applications. This fills a critical need to meet the increasing demand for greater bandwidth between desktop devices. Expected outcomes include understanding the interaction between THz signals and phase change materials, tuneable metamaterials, and devices that can steer and modulate THz signals with unprecedented agility and compactness, enabling future high-bandwidth Bluetooth-like data transfer.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear optical effects with low-power non-laser light. This project aims to allow the use of low-cost, low-intensity light sources, such as light-emitting diodes and discharge lamps, to generate nonlinear optical signals in photonic devices. Nonlinear optical effects are vital for telecommunication and signal processing technologies and are presently possible only when the light is produced by a high-power laser. The expected outcome of this project is a theoretical and experimental framework ....Nonlinear optical effects with low-power non-laser light. This project aims to allow the use of low-cost, low-intensity light sources, such as light-emitting diodes and discharge lamps, to generate nonlinear optical signals in photonic devices. Nonlinear optical effects are vital for telecommunication and signal processing technologies and are presently possible only when the light is produced by a high-power laser. The expected outcome of this project is a theoretical and experimental framework that would underpin the development of a new nonlinear photonic technology that does not require lasers, representing a paradigm shift in how photonic devices are designed. This should benefit sensing, telecommunications and defence by cheaper and more efficient transmission of information via media such as the National Broadband Network.Read moreRead less
A Multi-Optrode Array for Closed-Loop Bionics. We will design, implement and characterise a disruptive multi-channel optrode array (MOA) to record and stimulate excitable living tissue. The MOA will be a combination of individual optical electrodes (optrodes) that either comprise a new class of liquid crystals, used to passively sense extracellular biopotentials, or microphotovoltaic cells that will be used for electrical stimulation of excitable tissue. By employing light for communication with ....A Multi-Optrode Array for Closed-Loop Bionics. We will design, implement and characterise a disruptive multi-channel optrode array (MOA) to record and stimulate excitable living tissue. The MOA will be a combination of individual optical electrodes (optrodes) that either comprise a new class of liquid crystals, used to passively sense extracellular biopotentials, or microphotovoltaic cells that will be used for electrical stimulation of excitable tissue. By employing light for communication with optrodes, this new approach alleviates many of the wiring, packaging and encapsulation issues associated with existing devices. Computational modelling and in vitro testing in cardiac tissue and retinal neurons will demonstrate the utility of the MOA to sense and control electrical activity.Read moreRead less
Design of an optrode for next generation brain-machine interfaces. The project plans to use a new class of liquid crystals – deformed helix ferroelectric (DHF) liquid crystal – to sense extracellular biopotentials. In response to an applied electrical field, it has been shown that DHF crystals can modulate a polarised light source with extraordinary sensitivity and linear response down to the microvolt range. Using this technology, the project plans to initially design and test a single optrode ....Design of an optrode for next generation brain-machine interfaces. The project plans to use a new class of liquid crystals – deformed helix ferroelectric (DHF) liquid crystal – to sense extracellular biopotentials. In response to an applied electrical field, it has been shown that DHF crystals can modulate a polarised light source with extraordinary sensitivity and linear response down to the microvolt range. Using this technology, the project plans to initially design and test a single optrode device on the bench, before in vitro testing and characterisation using two-photon microscopy. The final design would be a higher density sensor array using a fibre optic source and multiple optical couplers. This may support the development of new ways to implant sensing and diagnostic devices in the body.Read moreRead less
Controlling atomic species migration in laser irradiated glasses. This project aims to determine the role of common glass constituents on desired optical properties. More than 50 major research groups and numerous commercial start-ups worldwide are pursuing ultrafast laser inscription, an enabling manufacturing platform used to create complex three-dimensional optical circuits inside transparent blocks of glass. However, although successfully used, we still don’t understand why similar glass typ ....Controlling atomic species migration in laser irradiated glasses. This project aims to determine the role of common glass constituents on desired optical properties. More than 50 major research groups and numerous commercial start-ups worldwide are pursuing ultrafast laser inscription, an enabling manufacturing platform used to create complex three-dimensional optical circuits inside transparent blocks of glass. However, although successfully used, we still don’t understand why similar glass types react differently, and we are limited to using generic glasses tailor-made for other purposes. This project will guide future choice of glasses and reveal how to engineer materials that complement this fabrication platform.Read moreRead less
New frontiers in ultra-wideband electro-optic measurement technologies. The project will lead to new frontier technologies for scientific instrumentation with greatly improved accuracies and ultra wide bandwidth capability with outcomes enhancing Australia's research profile in measurement science. New capabilities developed will benefit areas such as neuroscience, high-speed electronic circuitry designs and imaging.