Neuroprotection Against Parkinson’s Disease With Remote Photobiomodulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,818.00
Summary
Treating the head of rodents with low-intensity 670nm light protects against Parkinson’s disease (PD), but the large size of the human skull and brain precludes clinical translation of this treatment. We have discovered that the brain is also protected when light is targeted at peripheral tissues (e.g. a limb), overcoming problems of delivery. This project aims to optimise this treatment and better understand how it works, to lay the scientific basis for a clinical trial.
Assessing The Efficacy Of Safe And Simple Neuroprotective Treatments For Chronic Degenerative Conditions Of The Central Nervous System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,860.00
Summary
Current treatments for age-related diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are limited. We have shown in animal models of acute CNS degenerations that treatment with saffron or low energy infrared light is strongly protective. This project will determine if these treatments prevent CNS damage and dysfunction in animal models of chronic degenerations and add to knowledge of how these treatments work. This research should lay the foundation for testing these novel treatments in humans.
Narrow Band UVB Phototherapy For Patients With Clinically Isolated Syndrome: A Phase 1 Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,803.00
Summary
The environment, particularly lack of sunlight exposure, contributes to the incidence and progression of multiple sclerosis. We will give patients with early multiple sclerosis controlled exposure to ultraviolet light and then measure biomarkers of their disease activity over the next 12 months. The therapy is safe and is used for treatment of patients with psoriasis. Patients should gain benefits from sunlight-induced vitamin D, as well as other sunlight-induced molecules.
Mast Cells Determine Susceptibility To Induction Of Systemic Immunomodulation By UVB Radiation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$194,993.00
Summary
The ultraviolet B component of sunlight causes an immunosuppression in humans such that UV-induced tumours develop. In a murine model, we have shown that dermal mast cells at the irradiated site are crucially important in the mechanisms by which UVB stimulates this immunosuppression. In this project we wish to study in more depth the mechanisms by which sunlight stimulates mast cells to produce molecules which in turn signal immunosuppressive events. We hypothesise that there is an intermediary ....The ultraviolet B component of sunlight causes an immunosuppression in humans such that UV-induced tumours develop. In a murine model, we have shown that dermal mast cells at the irradiated site are crucially important in the mechanisms by which UVB stimulates this immunosuppression. In this project we wish to study in more depth the mechanisms by which sunlight stimulates mast cells to produce molecules which in turn signal immunosuppressive events. We hypothesise that there is an intermediary by which sunlight stimulates mast cell activity; we hypothesise that cis-urocanic acid may be involved directly or indirectly in this process. There is considerable evidence that histamine may be the major product of mast cells involved in this process; however it is unknown whether its primary action is on keratinocytes (stimulating prostanoid production), antigen presenting cells or lymph node cells. This project will also investigate the relationship of studies with mice to UVB-induced systemic immunosuppression in humans. Non-sun-exposed skin from controls and patients with non-melanoma skin cancers will be examined and dermal mast cell prevalence evaluated; we hypothesise that people with high dermal mast cell numbers are more prone to immunosuppression and thus, the outgrowth of UV-induced non-melanoma skin cancers. We hypothesise that there may also be qualitative differences in the mast cells of UV-sensitive and UV-resistant individuals; variations may occur in the granule contents of neutral proteinases or cytokines. It is necessary that we better understand the basis of immune system modulation by UVB that allows non-melanoma skin cancer development as these patients have a 20-30% higher risk of death from other cancers.Read moreRead less