Exploring Neurological Complications In Animal Models Of Metabolic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,432.00
Summary
Diabetes causes ongoing damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems. Our research aims to understand the mechanisms of nervous system damage in diabetes by investigating changes in nervous system function overtime in animal models of pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes. This study specifically aims to utilize indices that can be correlated with measures obtainable in human studies and thereby achieve results with strong clinical relevance and potential for translation.
The Kids Aren’t Alright: Preventing Depression In Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,715.00
Summary
Depression frequently emerges for the first-time during adolescence. This project examines ways to prevent depression in young people by: (i) partnering with schools to deliver broad universal programs to students through the education system, and (ii) treating sleep disturbance, a powerful but non-stigmatised risk factor for onset of depression. Findings from this research will inform innovative ways to address the depression crisis through the optimisation of prevention approaches.
Neural Circuits For Active Vision In The Primate Cerebral Cortex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$632,938.00
Summary
This project will try to understand how we use visual information to identify objects by their shape and motion, in natural situations in which the eyes are moving all the time. This will be accomplished by recording the electrical activity of brain cells while a trained animal is performing different types of tasks, such as tracking a moving object or exploring a scene with its eyes.
Establishing The Physiological And Sleep Disruption Characteristics Of Wind Farm Versus Traffic Noise Disturbances In Sleep
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,357,652.00
Summary
Good sleep is essential for normal daytime functioning and health. Wind farm noise includes audible and unusually low frequency sound components, including infrasound, that could potentially disturb sleep through chronic sleep disruption and/or insomnia. This project will, for the first time, directly evaluate the sleep and physiological disturbance characteristics of wind farm noise compared to traffic noise reproduced in a specialised and carefully controlled laboratory environment.
Neural Circuits Which Limit Alcohol And Soft Drink Intake
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$523,949.00
Summary
Alcohol and soft drinks are ubiquitous, and often harmful, particularly in excess. This project will examine the specific roles of fluid and food satiation neural circuits in suppressing intake, to determine whether either or both could be therapeutic targets for alcohol/soft drink overconsumption, especially as cessation aids for binge-drinking behaviour.
What Role Do Cerebral Hypoxia And Sleep Disruption Play In The Neurocognitive Effects Of Paediatric Sleep Disordered Breathing?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,957.00
Summary
Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) describes a spectrum of disorders caused by obstruction of the upper airway during sleep from simple primary snoring (PS) to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Findings of our recently studies have provided strong evidence that all levels of SDB severity including PS are associated with neurocognitive and behavioural deficits. In this study we will investigate the mechanisms of which underpin these deficits.
Sleep-wake Disturbances And Cardio-metabolic Dysfunction In At Risk Dementia: A Novel Pathway In Neurocognitive Decline’
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,305.00
Summary
Age-related sleep and circadian disturbance and cardio-metabolic dysfunction are associated with an increased risk of dementia. This research aims to delineate the pathway in which sleep and circadian disturbances and cardio-metabolic dysfunction promote cognitive decline during the ‘at risk’ dementia phase. This will improve our understanding of key processes in cognitive ageing ultimately leading to the development of targeted intervention programs in the quest to delay the onset of dementia.
Cognitive Dysfunction In Multiple Sclerosis And Its Relationship To Mood Disturbance And Fatigue
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$57,342.00
Summary
This research aims to test a hypothesized model addressing the interplay between cognitive dysfunction, mood disturbance, and fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis as well as determine the associated impact on daily functioning and quality of life. The importance of background factors, disease factors and psychosocial factors in predicting cognitive dysfunction will also be investigated. Recommendations for new rehabilitation approaches will be developed in light of our findings.