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Neurovascular pathology in human neurodegenerative disorders

Year:
2021
Duration:
60 months
Approved budget:
$4,999,999.65
Researchers:
Professor Michael Dragunow
,
Professor Sir Richard Faull
,
Professor Maurice Curtis
,
Professor William Denny
,
Professor Johanna Montgomery
,
Dr Rebecca Johnson
,
Dr Helen Murray
Health issue:
Neurological (CNS)
Proposal type:
Programme
Lay summary
Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease are currently incurable. By directly studying donated human brain tissue and cells, we propose to determine the role of the cerebrovasculature (the brain's blood system), and other brain border regions, including the meninges (the outer lining of the brain) and the choroid plexus (which makes the fluid that fills the brain), in causing and progressing these disorders. In particular, we will study how abnormal chemicals that are known to be involved in causing Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's act on these brain border regions, focusing on their roles in causing inflammation and dysfunction of cerebral blood vessels. Finally, we propose to develop medications aimed at reducing inflammation at the border regions of the brain to help develop treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.