Investigating the Biological Basis of Dementia
Traumatic Brain Injury and Dementia
This program focusses on how axons respond to damage, with particular reference to both traumatic brain injury and the interrelationship with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementing conditions. We have developed novel cell culture methods for replicating axon injury associated with these conditions and we are studying the reactive and regenerative cellular changes that follow damage to these neuronal processes. These models are also used to investigate new methods to manipulate the response of axons to injury.
Research Team
- Dr Anna King (Group Leader/Contact Person)
- Professor James Vickers
- Yao Liu
- Jessica Collins
- Justin Dittman
- Graeme McCormack
Outcomes
Blizzard CA, Chuckowree JA, King AE, Hosie KA, McCormack GH, Chapman JA, Vickers JC, Dickson TC Focal Damage to the Adult Rat Neocortex Induces Wound Healing Accompanied by Axonal Sprouting and Dendritic Structural Plasticity. Cereb Cortex. (In press)
Staal JA, Dickson TC, Gasperini R, Liu Y, Foa L, Vickers JC Initial calcium release from intracellular stores followed by calcium dysregulation is linked to secondary axotomy following transient axonal stretch injury. J Neurochem 112:1147-1155.
Blizzard CA, King AE, Haas MA, O'Toole DA, Vickers JC, Dickson TC (2009) Axonal shearing in mature cortical neurons induces attempted regeneration and the reestablishment of neurite polarity. Brain Res 1300:24-36.
Staal JA, Dickson TC, Chung RS, Vickers JC (2009) Disruption of the ubiquitin proteasome system following axonal stretch injury accelerates progression to secondary axotomy. J Neurotrauma 26:781-788.