Tuesday 5 July
2016
Innovative Otago brain research
supported by Neurological
Foundation
University of Otago scientists have
gained a total of around $912,000 to pursue eight brain
research projects in the Neurological Foundation’s July
funding round announced today.
The new Otago projects
include investigations into a new mode of treatment for
epilepsy, brain activity involved in impulsivity, and a
potential therapeutic protein that could grow new brain
cells.
Also among the projects are efforts to develop
reliable methods for examining the effect of cannabidiol in
epilepsy and a new approach to using deep brain stimulation
to treat stroke patients.
Other projects focus on
mechanisms of proteins in oxidative stress in brain
disorders, measuring impact forces to the head and
brain-injury mechanisms, and studying changes in brain
circuitry to increase knowledge of the anatomical basis of
schizophrenia and ADHD-like hyperactivity.
Announcing the
latest grants, Neurological Foundation Executive Director
Max Ritchie says the round illustrates the breadth of brain
research in New Zealand as it continues to contribute to and
progress global knowledge of neurological
disorders.
Otago’s project
grants:
Professor Cliff Abraham
(Department of Psychology)
$180,342
Stimulation of
neurogenesis by a potential therapeutic
protein
(The investigation of a neuroprotective
protein’s potential to rescue memory function)
Lead
investigator Professor Cliff Abraham, one of New Zealand’s
top Alzheimer’s disease researchers, and co-investigators
from the University’s Department of Biochemistry, Dr
Stephanie Hughes and Professor Warren Tate, aim to
investigate the ability of a neuroprotective protein called
secreted amyloid precursor protein-alpha (sAPP) to enhance
the birth of new nerve cells in the adult brain. Professor Hampton and
co-investigators Dr Paul Pace and Professor Christine
Winterbourn from the Department of Anatomy at the University
of Otago, Christchurch, and Associate Professor Christine
Jasoni from the Department of Anatomy at the University of
Otago, propose that oxidative stress has more subtle effects
through interfering with neurite structure.
Professor Neil McNaughton (Department of
Psychology)
$199,605
Investigating the role of
sub-thalamic nucleus activity in impulsivity in a model
using optogenetic technology
(Using innovative
technology to investigate brain activity involved in
impulsivity, a common side effect of treatments used in
Parkinson’s disease)
Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
is an important alternative or supplement to pharmacological
treatment for many disorders. The results will improve the understanding
of how normal and pathological activity are related in
disorders such as PD and OCD; and will determine if
different patterns of STN-DBS can selectively mediate its
therapeutic and off-target effects at a single site
providing a basis for improved DBS treatment outcomes across
a range of disorders.
Associate Professor Dorothy Oorschot
(Department of Anatomy)
$190,383
Opposite changes in
midbrain dopamine circuitry in schizophrenia versus
ADHD-like hyperactivity
(Measuring changes in brain
circuitry to increase knowledge of the anatomical basis of
schizophrenia and ADHD-like hyperactivity)
The
relation between the anatomy of brain cell circuits and
their functions is central to understanding information
processing in the brain. An
understanding of these structural alterations and
relationships, should they exist, will significantly
increase knowledge on the anatomical basis of schizophrenia
and of ADHD-like hyperactivity, and will provide a marked
step forward in understanding the core biology and thus
allow for a mechanism-driven approach to new opportunities
for treatment.
Associate Professor John Reynolds
(Department of Anatomy)
$192,307
Harnessing
metaplasticity for stroke recovery using transcranial
magnetic stimulation
(Investigating a new approach
to brain stimulation in a model of stroke to optimise
recovery)
Stroke is the leading cause of adult
disability in New Zealand. Dr Jones is a specialist in epilepsy
modelling.
Associate Professor Neil Waddell (Department of
Oral Rehabilitation)
$12,000
Development of a
skin/skull/brain model to measure impact forces to the head
and brain-injury mechanisms
In professional contact
sports and martial arts, there are increasing reports
linking mild traumatic brain injuries (concussion and
subconcussion) to early onset dementia and chronic traumatic
encephalopathy. The
aim of this research is to develop a skin/skull/brain model
to measure impact forces to the head and brain, (by
subjecting the prototype to impact testing with a bamboo
sword in the martial art of kendo, where head strikes are
routine) to help in the understanding of the biomechanics of
brain injury in concussion and subconcussion.
