Brain Adaptation Associated With Spontaneous And Training-induced Recovery Of Touch Sensation Post-stroke.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,950.00
Summary
Brain networks may reorganize to optimise stroke recovery. However, little is known about brain mechanisms underlying natural and training-induced recovery after stroke, particularly following loss of body sensations. Knowledge of the experiences that may facilitate brain reorganisation is a prerequisite for the development and evaluation of optimal stroke rehabilitation strategies. We aim to provide novel information on the potential benefits of specific training in facilitating reorganisation ....Brain networks may reorganize to optimise stroke recovery. However, little is known about brain mechanisms underlying natural and training-induced recovery after stroke, particularly following loss of body sensations. Knowledge of the experiences that may facilitate brain reorganisation is a prerequisite for the development and evaluation of optimal stroke rehabilitation strategies. We aim to provide novel information on the potential benefits of specific training in facilitating reorganisation of the brain after stroke. Specifically we will: (i) locate areas of brain activity associated with natural and training-induced recovery of touch sensation following stroke and (ii) investigate the relationship between brain activation, sensory recovery and intervening experience. Site and extent of brain activation associated with recovery of touch sensation will be investigated over time using serial functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a controlled sensory task and clinical measures of recovery. Thirty stroke patients with impaired touch sensation of the upper limb will be studied at 2-6 weeks and 6 months post-stroke to investigate changes in brain activation associated with natural recovery (Study 1). Ten healthy controls will also be studied over 6 months. Those patients who still have sensory loss at 6 months will then receive specific sensory training or placebo intervention to study the effect of training-induced recovery on brain activity (Study 2). The whole brain will be studied and activation sites will be interpreted relative to individual and standard brain maps. We expect that the findings will advance our knowledge of the relationship between clinical recovery, training and neural plastic changes in the brain. This information will provide direction for the development of scientifically based treatments designed to maximise recovery and help identify patients who are likely to show natural recovery and-or benefit from training.Read moreRead less
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.
Molecular Imaging Of Brain Tumour Therapeutic Efficacy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,200.00
Summary
The prognosis for malignant brain tumour patients that do not respond to intial treatment strategies is very poor. The fact that many of these patients patients will not survive longer than 12 months post diagnosis underscores the need to make treatment management decisions in a timely manner. This project seeks to develop and validate non-invasive early molecular imaging biomarkers that can quantify treatment efficacy months before traditional measures of efficacy are valid.
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
Functional Neuroimaging Of Prepulse Inhibition In Schizophrenia And Parkinson's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$446,750.00
Summary
Inhibition deficits have been consistently demonstrated in a broad spectrum of neuropsychiatric conditions that have been implicated with altered neurotransmitter function of the brain. These conditions include mental disorders like schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and pathological gambling and neurological disorders like Huntington's disease, Gilles-de-la-Tourette syndrome and other conditions which are characterised by impaired impulse control. Studies on animal models suggest tha ....Inhibition deficits have been consistently demonstrated in a broad spectrum of neuropsychiatric conditions that have been implicated with altered neurotransmitter function of the brain. These conditions include mental disorders like schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and pathological gambling and neurological disorders like Huntington's disease, Gilles-de-la-Tourette syndrome and other conditions which are characterised by impaired impulse control. Studies on animal models suggest that an impaired dopamine neurotransmission - either genetically pre-determined and-or stress-induced by environmental factors - may significantly contribute to a common pathological mechanism across these conditions that, in turn, results in impaired 'sensory motor gating', a physiological measure of inhibitory brain processes. Traditionally, sensory motor gating is indirectly measured using the acoustic startle eye-blink response. However, this peripheral measure cannot directly assess the brain processes underlying sensory motor gating. This study will apply new functional brain imaging methodology and EEG-based source localisation techniques to assess the neural substrates of inhibitory processes involved in sensory motor gating in two neuropsychiatric conditions that involve dysfunctional dopaminergic mechanisms: schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.Read moreRead less
An Event Related Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Study Of Cognitive Deficits In Huntington's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$257,550.00
Summary
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive disorder clinically characterized by the onset of involuntary jerky movements, impaired voluntary movements, cognitive-attentional deterioration, and psychiatric symptoms. It is a consequence of progressive and selective brain degeneration. Over the last decade our research unit has made significant progress in describing the cognitive deficits in HD; however, we still don't know much about the parts of the brain that underlie these deficits. The aim of ....Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive disorder clinically characterized by the onset of involuntary jerky movements, impaired voluntary movements, cognitive-attentional deterioration, and psychiatric symptoms. It is a consequence of progressive and selective brain degeneration. Over the last decade our research unit has made significant progress in describing the cognitive deficits in HD; however, we still don't know much about the parts of the brain that underlie these deficits. The aim of this project is to use event related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to correlate structural and functional changes in the brain via the use of various cognitive behavioural measures. In this way we can elucidate what brain areas are responsible for various cognitive functions. In addition, we intend to ascertain how different brain areas decrement in function over time and to determine whether there is a relationship between rate of disease progression, age at onset and certain genetic characteristics. Understanding how the brain functions and how the disease progresses over time will be essential, from the point of view of patient management, when new drug treatments eventually permit prevention of the development, or slows further progress, of the disorder.Read moreRead less
Development Of A Scorpion Toxin For Tumour Imaging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$529,577.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to develop a tool for visualising tumours during surgery. Surgical removal of tumours remains the foundation of cancer treatment, but the ability to distinguish the margin between cancerous and healthy cells is imprecise. We will explore the potential of a scorpion toxin that selectively targets cancer cells, as a tumour imaging agent. This project has the potential to dramatically enhance patient survival as a result of improving treatments for cancer.