Mechanisms of Glutamate Receptor Maturation in Chicken Brain [ 2002 - 2004 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: E/Pr John Rostas (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Alistair Sim ,  A/Pr Michael Hunter ,  Dr Martin Cammarota ,  Prof Ulrich Schall

Brief description In the brain, many key proteins involved in signalling change during development as part of the fine tuning of the network of connections between nerve cells. Disorders of this fine tuning are thought to result in a number of neurological or psychiatric conditions such as epilepsy and schizophrenia. This project will investigate the maturation of signalling molecules in the brain (receptors for the neurotransmitter glutamate, key enzymes called protein kinases and protein phosphatases that control the activity of receptors and scaffolding proteins that bind the whole lot into a signalling complex). The project uses chickens as a novel animal model because chicken brain has a slow maturation that occurs well after the initial wiring of the brain is complete. This enables the maturation changes to be clearly identified and experimentally modified. The project combines investigations at the molecular, physiological and behavioural levels. The effects of hormones and drugs on maturation will be investigated. Because brain maturation in humans is also slow an understanding of the way in which this maturation is controlled may provide insights into what causes some neurological-psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents and how to treat or prevent them.

Funding Amount $AUD 418,980.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant