Tuberous Sclerosis And Epilepsy: Using Resected Tissue To Understand Pathogenesis And Inform Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,261.00
Summary
Epilepsy is the commonest neurological disorder in childhood and seizures cannot be fully controlled by medications in 30%, often leading to developmental consequences. A major cause of drug-resistant epilepsy is a malformation of the brain’s surface. Surgery is sometimes used to remove these lesions to treat the epilepsy. We will study this tissue to understand its architecture, genetic basis and how it causes seizures. Our results will guide treatment including the best surgical approach.
Identifying The Neural Signature Of Persistent Pain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,094.00
Summary
Chronic pain affects over 20% of Australians. Despite its high prevalence, it is relativly resistant to current treatment regimes and part of the reason behind our inadequate ability to provide satisfactory pain relief is due to our limited understanding of the pathophysiology that underlies this condition. This proposal will develop a novel understanding of the central neuroplastic changes associated with chronic pain and the role that these changes play in the maintenance of these conditions.
The mammalian cerebral cortex is an area of the brain responsible for all higher order cognitive processes. I investigate how connections from between the two cerebral hemispheres during embryonic and foetal development, thus enabling the brain to coordinate information from the two sides of the body. Malformations of these connections cause mental retardation and sensory and motor deficits. I want to understand how these brain defects occur and how best to treat them.
Understanding Neurodevelopment In Preterm Children Utilising MRI
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
Children born very preterm are more likely to have movement, learning and behavioural difficulties resulting from abnormal brain development or injury around the time of birth. This project will help identify common brain alterations in preterm children using MRI, as well as the causes and consequences of such abnormalities. Ideally, this research will help health professionals to prevent abnormalities and injury, or to intervene early to reduce the adverse effects of prematurity.
Genetic And Functional Analysis Of Brain Malformations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$105,327.00
Summary
Disorders of early brain development are recognised as a significant cause of illness and disability in children. Unfortunately, the causes of these conditions are poorly understood, and treatment options are limited. It has become apparent that many of these conditions have an underlying genetic basis. This project will identify genes that regulate brain development and aid the development of improved treatment programs for brain and mind disorders.
Prof Alan Connelly is an internationally recognised neuroimaging researcher specialising in MRI. His major areas of research are in the development of new methods to acquire and process MR images of both structural and functional aspects of the brain, and the application of these novel methods to clinical neuroscience problems. His work has had a major impact in the field of epilepsy, where techniques that he pioneered have been widely adopted in specialist epilepsy centres worldwide.
What Drives Abnormal Cerebral Activity In Secondary Generalised Epilepsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$565,809.00
Summary
Secondary Generalised epilepsy (2GE) is a severe, disabling epilepsy syndrome characterised by childhood onset frequent, treatment resistant seizures and developmental delay. Although one of the four major categories of epilepsy, it is poorly understood. This project uses combined EEG (brainwave testing) and MRI to reveal which brain areas are involved in the epileptic activity of 2GE. Advanced analysis techniques will explore which brain regions initiate 2GE epileptic activity.
Brainstem And Hypothalamic Function And Anatomy In Migraine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$652,828.00
Summary
Migraine is a disabling condition characterized by mostly unilateral throbbing head pain and a range of associated neurological symptoms. The underlying mechanisms responsible for the initiation of migraine remains unknown. We aim to determine brain anatomy and activity patterns in migraineurs throughout the migraine cycle. An understanding of the mechanisms responsible for migraine will aid in better treatment development.
Functional Genomics Approach To Extend Lifespan While Preventing Age-related Cognitive Decline
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,600.00
Summary
In our ageing population, preventing age-related neurological decline is one of the central medical challenges of the 21st century. Here we use human population data obtained from people who reached 90 years of age free of any disease, or patients who suffer from dementia, combined with functional genomics studies in animals to pinpoint new genes that can be targeted to extend lifespan while preserving neurological function in these extended years of life.
A Brain-based Model Of Anxiety Sensitivity In Panic Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$402,214.00
Summary
This project will combine advanced brain imaging and brain network modelling to better understand the neurobiology of panic disorder with relevance to its treatment.