INVESTIGATING PROPRIOCEPTION AND SENSORIMOTOR CONTROL IN HUMANS DEVOID OF FUNCTIONAL MUSCLE SPINDLES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$335,983.00
Summary
Specific genetic mutations can lead to widespread changes in the body. Here we are looking at congenital Hereditary and Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy type III (HSAN III). Affected individuals have difficulty walking, which progressively worsens over time. This series of experiments aims to increase our understanding of the underlying neurophysiological disturbances in HSAN III.
Mechanisms And Pathways Leading To Saccadic Suppression In Primate Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$858,086.00
Summary
Only the central few degrees of the visual field are viewed in high resolution. Consequently, the eyes must be pointed at targets of interest using saccadic eye movements. Each saccade generates potentially disturbing image motion but this is never perceived: saccadic suppression. This project aims to characterise the neural basis of saccadic suppression using modern techniques. As a result, a prime question in Neuroscience for over 100 years can now be answered.
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.
Brain Dynamics And Sensorimotor Integration Associated With Speech Production In Humans Who Stutter
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$304,383.00
Summary
Stuttering is a chronic communication disorder that arises from problems in the brain processes that control speech. This research will use a new and extremely fast method of brain imaging to study the parts of the human brain that underlie speech production. We will identify brain problems that contribute to stuttering at the time when stuttering first begins. Identification of brain problems is likely to significantly improve the efficacy of stuttering treatment.
Neural Control Of Renin Expression By MicroRNA In Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$805,972.00
Summary
We identified that mice bred to have high blood pressure have an overactive nervous system that affects a gene that controls a hormone in the kidney that increases blood pressure. The proposal will determine the effects of a novel treatment to alter the gene to reverse the changes in the kidney and thereby normalizing blood pressure. This will lead to new therapy and reduce the major risk factor of cardiovascular disease.
A Pharmacological Approach To Define The Contribution Of Nav1.7 To Pain Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$501,467.00
Summary
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects the life of one in five Australians and has significant socioeconomic impact. Currently available pain killers often do not work, or have intolerable side effects. We have discovered the most selective blocker for a specific type of sodium channel that is a known pain target and will use this novel molecule to gain insight into the mechanisms of pain and to develop new pain killers.
Characterisation Of Eurl, A Novel Gene Implicated In The Etiology Of Abnormal Brain Development And Intellectual Disability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,541.00
Summary
Intellectual disability affects around one per cent of Australians, and can arise from genetic abnormalities during fetal life, such as through abnormal regulation of gene expression. We have identified a novel gene, known as eurl, which controls brain assembly as well as the ability of neurons to form functional connections within the brain. We will investigate how this novel gene controls brain development, and characterise eurl as a potential therapeutic target for learning and memory.
Imaging The Activation Of Sensory Nerve Endings That Detect Pain In The Colorectum
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,334.00
Summary
Within the gastrointestinal tract are sensory nerve endings that detect painful stimuli. In this project a new technique has been developed that allows us to monitor and record the activation of the particular sensory nerve endings that detect painful stimuli. This project will determine how these sensory nerve endings detect pain and how drugs might be used to relieve these unpleasant sensations arising from the gut wall.
Role Of The Paraventricular Hypothalamus In Angiotensin Induced Neurogenic Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,014.00
Summary
Hormones released from the kidney are important for setting the level of blood pressure. We have discovered that very low levels of the peptide angiotensin in the blood also leads to activation of specific parts of the brain that drive to increase the nervous system activity to blood vessels and therefore increases blood pressure further. This study will explore the chemical signals in the brain mediating this increase in blood pressure.
Hypothalamic Oxexin-synthesizing Neurons Regulate The Ultradian Basic Rest-Activity Cycle (BRAC); Studies In Transgenic Rats And Mice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$588,418.00
Summary
In the hypothalamus region of the brain there is a group of neurons that synthesize a neuropeptide messenger called orexin. In humans, malfunction of orexin neurons results in narcolepsy (abnormal sleepiness) and in disordered metabolism resulting in obesity. Our experiments, conducted in genetically-modified rats and mice, will elucidate the manner in which the orexin neurons integrate our behaviour (eg eating) with our physiological state (eg body and brain temperature, arterial blood pressure ....In the hypothalamus region of the brain there is a group of neurons that synthesize a neuropeptide messenger called orexin. In humans, malfunction of orexin neurons results in narcolepsy (abnormal sleepiness) and in disordered metabolism resulting in obesity. Our experiments, conducted in genetically-modified rats and mice, will elucidate the manner in which the orexin neurons integrate our behaviour (eg eating) with our physiological state (eg body and brain temperature, arterial blood pressure).Read moreRead less