Normal And Abnormal Development Of Brain Wiring And Its Impact On Brain Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
My laboratory is striving to understand how the patterns of neuronal connections form in the developing brain and how these underpin the functions of the brain throughout life. We use high-field magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain wiring and we investigate the genetic and environmental mechanisms causing developmental brain disorders that result in intellectual disability, autism, epilepsy and some mental illnesses.
Dopamine Neuron Ontogeny: Convergent Neurobiological Pathway For Risk Factors Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,214.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is associated with changes in dopamine (a signalling molecule in the brain). These changes are present prior to psychosis, suggesting they begin early in development. Our aims are to manipulate key factors in the development of brain dopamine systems to clarify their role in psychosis and schizophrenia. This work has the potential to identify early brain changes that lead to schizophrenia, which in turn may generate better diagnoses and outcomes for people with this disorder.
Delayed Radial Glial Maturation Linked To NFI Deficiency As An Underlying Cause Of Cortical Defects In Humans And Mice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$801,979.00
Summary
The timely generation of neurons and glia is important for brain development and consequently brain function throughout life. Nuclear factor I (NFI) genes are important for regulating the production of neurons and glia, and people with disrupted NFI genes have severe cognitive and motor deficits. Using human genetic data and mouse models, we will analyse how disrupting these genes affects brain development, and changes the overall structure and wiring of the cerebral cortex as well as behaviour.
Exploring Scanning Ultrasound (SUS), A Novel Method To Treat And Prevent Neurodegenerative Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$765,708.00
Summary
We developed a novel scanning ultrasound (SUS) protocol that clears toxic protein aggregates and restores memory function in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD), without the need for therapeutic agents. Here we aim to determine whether SUS has preventative potential, whether there are synergistic effects, and whether a therapeutic antibody combined with SUS leads to an enhanced therapeutic outcome. Together this will guide the development of an ultrasound therapy in AD patients.
The implications of resistance training for the control of movement. Resistance training (or weight lifting) is an essential element of comprehensive rehabilitation programs in a wide range of clinical settings. However, because we know little about how the organization of the nervous system is affected by training with high loads, the consequences of resistance training for our ability to control functional movements are unclear. The ultimate goal of this research is to generate basic knowledge ....The implications of resistance training for the control of movement. Resistance training (or weight lifting) is an essential element of comprehensive rehabilitation programs in a wide range of clinical settings. However, because we know little about how the organization of the nervous system is affected by training with high loads, the consequences of resistance training for our ability to control functional movements are unclear. The ultimate goal of this research is to generate basic knowledge about the impact of resistance training on nervous system function. The research will lead to the design of injury prevention and rehabilitation programs that are maximally effective, and provide a genuine benefit to the community.Read moreRead less
A common sub-cortical system for human eye and limb control. This project aims to discover how the human brain controls reaching movements via structures and control mechanisms used for rapid eye movements, and for prey capture by lower vertebrates such as fish. Fast and accurate visually-guided movement was crucial for survival long before animals evolved a cerebral cortex, suggesting that basic control systems may be conserved across species. The notion that primitive sub-cortical systems can ....A common sub-cortical system for human eye and limb control. This project aims to discover how the human brain controls reaching movements via structures and control mechanisms used for rapid eye movements, and for prey capture by lower vertebrates such as fish. Fast and accurate visually-guided movement was crucial for survival long before animals evolved a cerebral cortex, suggesting that basic control systems may be conserved across species. The notion that primitive sub-cortical systems can control complex, human limb movements challenges conventional thinking about movement-related brain activity, and has important implications for the design of human-machine interfaces and training protocols in rehabilitation, industry and sport.Read moreRead less
Competing demands on the axial muscles: Effects, consequences, compensations and mechanisms. Back and neck pain are major health issues and are associated with considerable cost to society and an individual's quality of life. A major issue is to identify factors that increase the chance of developing pain. This project will investigate a novel and innovative possibility; that competition between the many functions of the trunk muscles may increase the possibility for injury. We will study how th ....Competing demands on the axial muscles: Effects, consequences, compensations and mechanisms. Back and neck pain are major health issues and are associated with considerable cost to society and an individual's quality of life. A major issue is to identify factors that increase the chance of developing pain. This project will investigate a novel and innovative possibility; that competition between the many functions of the trunk muscles may increase the possibility for injury. We will study how the nervous system coordinates functions as diverse and movement of the spine, breathing, and control of head and eye movement. A key issue will be to identify whether situations arise in which control of the spine is compromised, potentially leading to increased risk of pain and injury. Such data can aid prevention and rehabilitation.Read moreRead less