Pathogenic Mechanisms in Inflammatory Demyelinating Neuropathies [ 2003 - 2005 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof John Pollard (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Ian Sutton ,  Judith Spies

Brief description The causes and disease mechanisms of inflammatory neuropathy remain mostly unknown. Although treatments have been developed (intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange) they are extremely expensive, non-specific in action, beyond the means of the worlds most populous nations and a considerable burden to health resources in developed nations. These studies aim to understand better the mechanism of disease production so that better and more affordable therapy can be developed. In our current grant we have made a most important breakthrough - which is that antibodies to a major structural protein of the myelin sheath are responsible for disease production in one subgroup of patients. We plan to search for other antigenic targets in other patient groups and to see whether we can regulate the disease by new mechanisms which would be cheaper and more effective.

Funding Amount $AUD 378,750.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant