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.
High-resolution Brain Imaging Of Basal Ganglia Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,083.00
Summary
This project will develop new methods for high resolution MRI imaging of the human brain. We will assess functions of deep brain areas known as the basal ganglia that play a critical role in movement planning and co-ordination. Dysfunction within the basal ganglia is responsible for the motor impairments seen in people with Parkinson’s disease. In this project, we will examine changes in basal ganglia function and structure that lead to individual differences in movement control and learning.
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.
Novel Approaches To Improve Cognitive Recovery Following Stroke And Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,724.00
Summary
Stroke and traumatic brain injury costs the Australian economy over $13 billion, annually. Both disorders result in impaired cognition that impedes individuals’ return to the community. Current rehabilitation strategies, however, fail to adequately rehabilitate cognitive deficits following these disorders. My fellowship will develop new strategies to improve rehabilitation of cognitive functions by using cutting-edge neuroimaging and electrophysiological techniques.
Activity In Central Cough Networks In Patients With Cough Hypersensitivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,499.00
Summary
Excessive cough associated with an airways disease represents the most common reason for doctor consultations. However, the current therapeutic options for relieving excessive cough are limited. This proposal will provide unprecedented insights into the brain mechanisms that contribute to the development of cough disorders in airways disease.
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.
Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in Australia, especially in young populations. Although many patients recover uneventfully following mild TBI, complications such as prolonged symptoms, depression and cognitive deterioration may occur. With considerable advancements in neuroimaging and cognitive assessment in recent years, newer techniques may provide a window to directly observe changes that accompany mild TBI.
EXTEND-IA Randomized Trial Of Intra-arterial Clot Retrieval In Ischemic Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$764,534.00
Summary
Most strokes are caused by a blocked blood vessel in the brain. Current treatments to dissolve the blockage improve recovery for many patients but often fail to unblock larger brain arteries. The EXTEND-IA trial will use advanced brain imaging to identify patients who have the most to gain if the blocked artery can be re-opened. The trial will test whether a new minimally invasive clot removal procedure performed after standard clot-dissolving treatment improves recovery after stroke.
We have previously made the most widely used animal brain atlas in the world. This atlas based on stained histological sections of the rat brain. In recent years, advances in MRI have made it possible to generate images of the rat brain at very high resolution. We have obtained a very high quality MRI image set from colleagues in Duke University in the USA, and we have begun to map these images in great detail, using our histological atlas as a guide.
Imaging Of Acute Ischemic Stroke – Improving Patient Selection For Thrombolysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$367,946.00
Summary
Stroke is a major cause of death and disability in our community and is most often due to a blocked blood vessel. Powerful treatments are available to open blocked blood vessels but there are restrictions on eligibility and some risks. This research aims to improve doctors' understanding of stroke in the individual patient to aid treatment decisions by identifying those with potentially salvageable brain tissue and avoiding those with high risk of bleeding complications.