Neurochemicals In The Control Of Human Bladder Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,018.00
Summary
The problem of urinary incontinence has received little attention from the medical and scientific research community until the last 10-15 years. Urinary incontinence can cause severe distress and is a taboo subject, even though it affects 30-40% of women. Public figures speak out about their experiences with breast cancer or heart disease, but not about leakage of urine. Elderly people with incontinence are forced into nursing homes, with major costs to the community. Incontinence is a major cli ....The problem of urinary incontinence has received little attention from the medical and scientific research community until the last 10-15 years. Urinary incontinence can cause severe distress and is a taboo subject, even though it affects 30-40% of women. Public figures speak out about their experiences with breast cancer or heart disease, but not about leakage of urine. Elderly people with incontinence are forced into nursing homes, with major costs to the community. Incontinence is a major clinical problem: although over 800 new patients per annum are seen at our Pelvic Floor Unit, the waiting time for a first appointment is 14-15 weeks. There are four main types of urine leakage: - stress incontinence (weak pelvic floor muscles); - overflow incontinence (seen in men with prostatic hypertrophy); - sensory urgency (frequent, uncomfortable desire to urinate); and - detrusor instability (bladder muscle spasms with leakage). We are primarily interested in detrusor instability and sensory urgency, which cause 35% of incontinence in general, but up to 85% of cases in the elderly. Patients suffer from an urgent desire to visit the toilet frequently, and may leak urine if they cannot reach the toilet quickly. Unlike stress incontinence, it cannot be corrected by pelvic floor surgery. Drug treatment is often unsuccessful, with many unacceptable side effects. In our research group, we have found that the sensory nerve which convey the sensation of bladder fullness, are overabundant and display increased amounts of neurochemicals. Our studies in isolated bladder muscle from these patients have shown abnormalities in responsiveness. Thus bladder from women with urge incontinence is resistant to drugs which abolish contraction in normal bladder. In this project we plan to find out why such changes occur. We will use new techniques to study bladder nerves and the receptors which convey the message to contract the bladder muscle.Read moreRead less
The presenilin proteins are key components in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Mutations in these proteins can cause early Alzheimer's disease. We will continue our study of the biochemistry and cell biology of these proteins using tools and experimental models that we have already developed. This will provide important information on the mechanism of the disease process and give new leads in the treatment of the disease. The new technologies of genetic screening for presenilin mutations ....The presenilin proteins are key components in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Mutations in these proteins can cause early Alzheimer's disease. We will continue our study of the biochemistry and cell biology of these proteins using tools and experimental models that we have already developed. This will provide important information on the mechanism of the disease process and give new leads in the treatment of the disease. The new technologies of genetic screening for presenilin mutations will be developed and utilized as a National referral base.Read moreRead less
Investigating The Biological Significance Of Proteolytic Prion Protein Processing.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$328,558.00
Summary
Prion diseases, including Bovine Spongiform encephalopathy (“mad cow disease”) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in humans are transmissible and fatal diseases that occur when the normal prion protein (PrPc) mis-folds and accumulates in the brain. The specific function of PrPc within a cell remains unclear, however its presence is essential for prion diseases to occur. This project aims to define how PrPc cleavage affects its biological function(s), and influences susceptibility to prion infection.
Haemolysins And Haemoglobinases As Anti-hookworm Vaccines.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$322,951.00
Summary
To meet its growth and reproductive requirements, hookworms must be able to utilise host haemoglobin located in the red blood cells. To puncture the red blood cell membrane, and break down the exposed haemoglobin into small peptides or single amino acids; the hookworm uses proteases called haemolysins and haemoglobinases. Identifying these proteases and disrupting their function may lead to reduced worm burdens, size and fecundity. Therefore these proteases could be ideal vaccine candidates.