Differential Changes In Cortical Tumour Necrosis Factor Signalling In Mood Disorders And Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$642,078.00
Summary
Changes in inflammation-related pathways contribute to the symptoms of psychiatric disorders and tumour necrosis factor ? (TNF) is a protein central to regulating theses pathways. We have now shown that changes in pathways regulated by TNF are present in the brains of people with schizophrenia and mood disorders. This means that the symptoms experienced by those with the different disorders may be linked to differential changes in TNF-regulated pathways in the brain.
How Language Develops, What Goes Wrong, And Why It Matters: Following The Early Language In Victoria Study To Age 13
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$857,242.00
Summary
One in five children start school with low language. Little is known about the long term effects on developmental, educational attainment and other outcomes later in life. In this landmark study we will track the children's language, literacy and wellbeing from ages 8 to 12 years. We will capture the children's ability as they finish their primary school education and prior to the crucial transfer to high school.
A Novel Approach To Streamlining The Diagnosis Of Primary Aldosteronism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$269,463.00
Summary
This study will assess a new clinical test used to diagnose a potentially curable form of high blood pressure called primary aldosteronism (PA). If successful, the test will greatly streamline and simplify the diagnosis of this condition, with the potential for enormous cost savings and a markedly increased rate of diagnosis of patients with PA who can then benefit from optimal treatment and improved quality of life.
Preconception Predictors Of Health, Behaviour And Emotional Adjustment At Seven Years
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,170,830.00
Summary
An understanding of the importance of a healthy start to life has underpinned major health policies including Australia’s National Agenda for Early Childhood. The capacity of parents to provide that healthy start has received little study. The present project investigates the extent to which parental lifestyle, social and emotional adjustment prior to conception predictor emotional problems, disruptive behaviour and health in their children at seven years.
Brain Connectivity Imaging Markers To Confirm Diagnosis For Bipolar Vs. Unipolar Depression – A Connectome Approach.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,369.00
Summary
Differentiating Bipolar disorders from Unipolar Depression is a major clinical challenge. This misdiagnosis hinders optimal clinical care and has many deleterious consequences such self-harm, increased chances of suicide, poor prognosis, and greater health care costs related to this disorder. This project will provide urgently-needed advance in accurate identification of Bipolar disorders using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and remove one of the key obstacles to accurate diagnosis.
Structural Studies Of Thyroid Peroxidase, An Autoantigen In Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,423.00
Summary
This proposal is aimed at determining the three dimensional structure of Thyroid Peroxidase, a protein found in the human thyroid gland that is important in the production of the hormone thyroxine. Thyroxine is involved in controlling the rate of metabolic processes in the body and influencing physical development.
RNA-based Expanded Repeat Pathogenic Pathway In Neurodegenerative Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$595,153.00
Summary
Many important human genetic diseases (incl Huntington’s Disease) are due to a common mutation mechanism with some similarities in clinical outcome (late in life nerve cell loss). For these diseases it is still not known what mechanism is responsible for causing the disease. This is essential in order to delay onset, slow progression or effect cure. We will test a mechanism for disease pathology that we have identified in a simple model organism and seen evidence of its activity in human disease
Neural Mechanisms Of Language Facilitation In Aphasia Due To Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$523,192.00
Summary
This project will assess the underlying neural mechanisms by which neurostimulation improves impaired language functions after stroke (aphasia). This will be accomplished by using a novel combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging and simultaneous transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) administered to different brain regions. These studies will provide crucial information necessary to optimise future clinical trials that combine tDCS with language therapy.
Modelling Post-traumatic Stress Disorder In Rats: Hypervigilance And Spread Of Fear
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$353,248.00
Summary
Post-traumatic stress disorder is characterized by hypervigilance and spread of fear across a network of trauma related memories. The consequences of hypervigilance for information processing, and the mechanisms involved in the spread of fear, are unknown. This project uses animal models to identify these consequences and mechanisms, and their substrates in the brain. It examines how a network of trauma related memories can be erased, and thus, how core symptoms of the disorder may be treated.
Light, Sound And Touch Influence The Autonomic Nervous System Via A Non-canonical Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$329,666.00
Summary
We examine a recently discovered brain circuit through which visual and acoustic stimuli can interact with the neural systems that control breathing, blood pressure and heart rate. The outcomes of this project will characterise a pathway by which the external environment can interrupt the normal activity of systems vital for health and wellbeing independent of cognition.