Profiles
Carlie Cullen
Carlie Cullen
Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Neuroscience
Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Hobart CBD Campuses
Dr Carlie Cullen is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Glial Research Team at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research. She has a deep interest in how brain connectivity drives cognition and what happens when this system goes awry.
Biography
Carlie joined the glial research team at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, in 2014 as an early career researcher after completing her PhD in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Queensland. Her work on the long term neurobehavioural correlates of low dose prenatal alcohol exposure was well received internationally and she was the first to show that exposure to even small amounts of alcohol in utero can lead to long term morphological changes in the amygdala – the emotion centre of the brain, leading to increased anxiety in adulthood. Following her interest in brain plasticity and cognition, Carlie is now working with Dr Kaylene Young to investigate the how alterations in neuron-glial communication may contribute to neurodegenerative disease, and how this might be therapeutically manipulated to alleviate disease symptoms.
Career summary
Qualifications
- PhD, The long term neurobehavioural correlates of chronic low dose prenatal alcohol exposure, The University of Queensland, Australia, 2014
- BSc (1st Class Hons), The effects of chronic glucocorticoid and reproductive steroid hormone manipulations on spatial memory and anxiety, The University of Queensland, 2008
View more on Dr Carlie Cullen in WARP
Expertise
- Cognition
- Neurodegenerative disease
- Demyelinating disease
- Fetal alcohol exposure
Research Themes
Carlie's research interest include understanding the importance of the continued generation of new born oligodendrocytes for maintaining normal healthy functioning of the adult CNS, how neurons and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) communicate and how this communication might be therapeutically targeted to enhance the generation of new born oligodendrocytes and myelin repair in neurodegenerative or demyelinating diseases.
Collaboration
Local Collaborators:
- Dr Catherine Blizzard
- Dr Rob Gasperini
- A/Prof Lisa Foa
- Dr Kimberley Pitman
External Collaborators:
- Dr Simon McMullan – Macquarie University
- Dr Jenny Roger – University of Western Australia
- Dr Tracey Bjorkman – University of Queensland Centre for Clinical ResearchA/Prof Karen Moritz –University of Queensland
Current projects
Glial Research Team: Young Group
- Neuron:OPC communication, a novel therapeutic target?
- Non-invasive enhancement of adult oligodendrogenesis
- The role of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in neurodegenerative diseas
Fields of Research
- Central nervous system (320903)
- Cellular nervous system (320902)
- Neurosciences (320999)
- Signal transduction (310111)
- Neurology and neuromuscular diseases (320905)
- Cognitive neuroscience (520203)
- Systems physiology (320803)
- Cardiology (incl. cardiovascular diseases) (320101)
Research Objectives
- Clinical health (200199)
- Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences (280102)
- Expanding knowledge in the health sciences (280112)
- Expanding knowledge in the biomedical and clinical sciences (280103)
- Expanding knowledge in psychology (280121)
- Diagnosis of human diseases and conditions (200101)
- Other health (209999)
Publications
Total publications
20
Journal Article
(20 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Makowiecki K, Stevens N, Cullen CL, Zarghami A, Nguyen PT, et al., 'Safety of low-intensity repetitive transcranial magneTic brAin stimUlation foR people living with mUltiple Sclerosis (TAURUS): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial', Trials, 23, (1) Article 626. ISSN 1745-6215 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06526-z [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Makowiecki K; Stevens N; Zarghami A; Nguyen PT; Johnson L; Hinder MR; Young KM; Taylor BV | |
| 2022 | Zhen Y, Cullen CL, Ricci R, Summers BS, Rehman S, et al., 'Protocadherin 15 suppresses oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation and promotes motility through distinct signalling pathways', Communications Biology, 5, (1) Article 511. ISSN 2399-3642 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03470-1 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 2Web of Science - 1 Co-authors: Ricci R; Summers BS; Gasperini R; Young KM | |
| 2021 | Cullen CL, Pepper RE, Clutterbuck MT, Pitman KA, Oorschot V, et al., 'Periaxonal and nodal plasticities modulate action potential conduction in the adult mouse brain', Cell Reports, 34, (3) pp. 1-15. ISSN 2211-1247 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108641 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 27Web of Science - 26 Co-authors: Pepper RE; Clutterbuck MT; Pitman KA; Auderset LF; Young KM | |
| 2021 | Fletcher JL, Makowiecki K, Cullen CL, Young KM, 'Oligodendrogenesis and myelination regulate cortical development, plasticity and circuit function', Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology ISSN 1084-9521 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.03.017 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 12Web of Science - 10 Co-authors: Fletcher JL; Makowiecki K; Young KM | |
| 2020 | Auderset LF, Pitman KA, Cullen CL, Pepper RE, Taylor BV, et al., 'Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is a negative regulator of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation in the adult mouse brain', Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 8 Article 564351. ISSN 2296-634X (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.564351 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 15Web of Science - 15 Co-authors: Auderset LF; Pitman KA; Pepper RE; Taylor BV; Foa L; Young KM | |
| 2020 | Cullen CL, O'Rourke M, Beasley SJ, Auderset L, Zhen Y, et al., 'Kif3a deletion prevents primary cilia assembly on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, reduces oligodendrogenesis and impairs fine motor function', Glia pp. 1-20. ISSN 0894-1491 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/glia.23957 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6Web of Science - 8 Co-authors: O'Rourke M; Beasley SJ; Auderset L; Pepper RE; Gasperini R; Young KM | |
| 2020 | Ferreira SC, Pitman KA, Summers BS, Wang S, Young KM, et al., 'Oligodendrogenesis increases in hippocampal grey and white matter prior to locomotor or memory impairment in an adult mouse model of tauopathy', European Journal of Neuroscience pp. 1-23. ISSN 0953-816X (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14726 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 11Web of Science - 11 Co-authors: Ferreira SC; Pitman KA; Summers BS; Wang S; Young KM | |
| 2020 | Ferreira SC, Pitman KA, Wang S, Summers BS, Bye N, et al., 'Amyloidosis is associated with thicker myelin and increased oligodendrogenesis in the adult mouse brain', Journal of Neuroscience Research pp. 1-28. ISSN 0360-4012 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24672 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6Web of Science - 8 Co-authors: Ferreira SC; Pitman KA; Wang S; Summers BS; Bye N; Young KM | |
| 2019 | Cullen CL, Senesi M, Tang AD, Clutterbuck MT, Auderset LF, et al., 'Low-intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation promotes the survival and maturation of newborn oligodendrocytes in the adult mouse brain', Glia, 67, (8) pp. 1462-1477. ISSN 0894-1491 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/glia.23620 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 36Web of Science - 36 Co-authors: Senesi M; Clutterbuck MT; Auderset LF; O'Rourke ME; Young KM | |
| 2019 | Lucia D, Burgess D, Cullen CL, Dorey ES, Rawashdeh O, et al., 'Periconceptional maternal alcohol consumption leads to behavioural changes in adult and aged offspring and alters the expression of hippocampal genes associated with learning and memory and regulators of the epigenome', Behavioural Brain Research, 362 pp. 249-257. ISSN 0166-4328 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.01.009 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 9Web of Science - 8 | |
| 2018 | Dorey ES, Cullen CL, Lucia D, Mah KM, Manchadi M-LR, et al., 'The impact of periconceptional alcohol exposure on fat preference and gene expression in the mesolimbic reward pathway in adult rat offspring', Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, 9, (2) pp. 223-231. ISSN 2040-1744 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1017/S2040174417000824 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 9Web of Science - 9 | |
| 2018 | Pepper RE, Pitman KA, Cullen CL, Young KM, 'How do cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage affect neuronal circuits to influence motor function, memory and mood?', Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 12 Article 399. ISSN 1662-5102 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00399 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 41Web of Science - 39 Co-authors: Pepper RE; Pitman KA; Young KM | |
| 2017 | Cullen CL, Young KM, 'Can thyroid hormone analogues be used to overcome hypomyelination and demyelination of the central nervous system?', EBioMedicine, 26 pp. 15-16. ISSN 2352-3964 (2017) [Contribution to Refereed Journal] DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.11.004 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Young KM | |
| 2017 | Schlegel RN, Spiers JG, Moritz KM, Cullen CL, Bjorkman ST, et al., 'Maternal hypomagnesemia alters hippocampal NMDAR subunit expression and programs anxiety-like behaviour in adult offspring', Behavioural Brain Research, 328 pp. 39-47. ISSN 0166-4328 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.04.009 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6Web of Science - 5 | |
| 2016 | Auderset L, Cullen CL, Young KM, 'Low density lipoprotein-receptor related protein 1 is differentially expressed by neuronal and glial populations in the developing and mature mouse central nervous system', PLoS One, 11, (6) Article e0155878. ISSN 1932-6203 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155878 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 36Web of Science - 36 Co-authors: Auderset L; Young KM | |
| 2016 | Cullen CL, Young KM, 'How does transcranial magnetic stimulation influence glial cells in the central nervous system?', Frontiers in Neural Circuits, 10 Article 26. ISSN 1662-5110 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2016.00026 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 63Web of Science - 60 Co-authors: Young KM | |
| 2016 | O'Rourke ME, Cullen CL, Auderset LF, Pitman KA, Achatz D, et al., 'Evaluating Tissue-Specific Recombination in a Pdgfrα-CreERT2 Transgenic Mouse Line', PLoS One, 11, (9) Article e0162858. ISSN 1932-6203 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162858 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 12Web of Science - 12 Co-authors: O'Rourke ME; Auderset LF; Pitman KA; Achatz D; Young KM | |
| 2016 | Wang S, Bolos M, Clark R, Cullen CL, Southam KA, et al., 'Amyloid β precursor protein regulates neuron survival and maturation in the adult mouse brain', Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences, 77 pp. 21-33. ISSN 1044-7431 (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2016.09.002 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 22Web of Science - 20 Co-authors: Wang S; Bolos M; Clark R; Southam KA; Foa L; Dickson TC; Young KM | |
| 2014 | Cullen CL, Burne THJ, Lavidis NA, Moritz KM, 'Low dose prenatal alcohol exposure does not impair spatial learning and memory in two tests in adult and aged rats', PL o S One, 9, (6) Article e101482. ISSN 1932-6203 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101482 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 20Web of Science - 21 | |
| 2013 | Cullen CL, Burne THJ, Lavidis NA, Moritz KM, 'Low Dose Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Induces Anxiety-Like Behaviour and Alters Dendritic Morphology in the Basolateral Amygdala of Rat Offspring', PL o S One, 8, (1) Article e54924. ISSN 1932-6203 (2013) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054924 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 78Web of Science - 73 |
Grants & Funding
Funding Summary
Number of grants
11
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- Identifying the biological causes of mental health disorders is critical for the development of effective treatment or prevention strategies. Neurons communicate via electrical signalling and the precise timing of this signalling is vital for appropriate information processing. Recent work by our team has shown that myelinating oligodendrocytes adapt to dynamically regulate action potential conduction speed, indicating that changes in myelin could have robust impacts on information processing in the brain. Altered myelin content in the brain has been linked to numerous neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These disorders also exhibit characteristic changes in functional network connectivity and information processing in the brain, suggesting that aberrant myelination may be a key underlying feature of maladaptive information processing and neurobehavioural symptom expression in these disorders.Our team will use innovative transgenic mouse and zebrafish models to determine how developmental myelination and myelin plasticity regulate information processing in the brain and contribute to the development of phenotypic behaviours associated with mental illness. Understanding the role of myelin in regulating brain function and behaviour will provide mechanistic insight into the aetiology of idiopathic mental health symptoms and could identify a new therapeutic target for their treatment.
- Funding
- National Health & Medical Research Council ($794,211)
- Scheme
- Grant-Ideas
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Cullen CL; Makowiecki K; Favre-Bulle I
- Period
- 2022 - 2025
- Grant Reference
- 2012140
- Description
- In the brain, nerve cells transmit electrical signals more quickly and reliably when they are insulated. The insulating cells undergo small adaptive changes that speed up information transfer during learning, and the faster the electrical signal, the better the learning outcomes. This project aims to understand the signals that direct insulating cells to adapt and support life-long learning. In the longer term, this knowledge may be used to: develop interventions that improve learning and educational outcomes; counteract age-related memory decline and enable longer work force participation; develop strategies to circumvent the memory loss caused by brain diseases, or improve the design of computer hardware.
- Funding
- Australian Research Council ($428,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Discovery Projects
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Young K; Cullen CL; Jolivet R; Blackburn NB
- Period
- 2022 - 2024
- Grant Reference
- DP220100100
- Description
- Oligodendrocytes are brain cells that die in MS, but non-invasive brain stimulation (rTMS) can promote their generation in preclinical models of disease. This project will take an important role in the clinical translation of this treatment and determine whether this type of stimulation can be safely delivered to people with MS.
- Funding
- Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation ($16,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Project
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Cullen CL; Young K; Taylor BVM; Hinder MR
- Year
- 2019
- Description
- Our research aims to identify physiological stimuli that can promote oligodendrocyte addition and augment the repair of lost or damaged myelin in the brain. We hope to provide vital proof of concept data demonstrating that different types of cognitive training can enhance oligodendrocyte production in the brain, and that through this process can expedite myelin repair within a demyelinated lesion.
- Funding
- Multiple Sclerosis Australia ($25,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Incubator
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Cullen CL
- Year
- 2018
- Description
- This project aims to understand the mode of cell death induced by a stroke, and determine the capacity for already developed therapeutics to rescue these cells. By saving oligodendrocytes from death after stroke, we aim to reduce the lesion size, but also keep these critical cells in place to support nerve cell survival and function.
- Funding
- Brain Foundation ($30,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Cullen CL; Young K; Sutherland BA
- Year
- 2018
- Description
- Proposed PhD project investigating the role of amyoloid upon axonal dystrophies in the progression of Alzheimer's disease
- Funding
- Dementia Australia Research Foundation Ltd ($90,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Scholarship
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Young K; Blizzard C; Cullen CL; Sutherland BA
- Period
- 2018 - 2020
- Description
- In patients with multiple sclerosis, brain insulation is lost from nerves. This leads to permanent and progressive disability. We have identified a non-invasive method of magnetic stimulation, and have shown that it increases the number of new insulating cells naturally added to the brain. In this study we will determine the extent to which our new treatment can induce insulation replacement to nerves in models of multiple sclerosis.
- Funding
- National Health & Medical Research Council ($664,868)
- Scheme
- Grant-Project
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Young K; Rodger J; Cullen CL
- Period
- 2018 - 2020
- Grant Reference
- 1139041
- Description
- This project examines the ability of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to promote remyelination in two preclinical models of multiple sclerosis.
- Funding
- Multiple Sclerosis Australia ($170,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Project
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Young K; Cullen CL; Rodger J
- Period
- 2017 - 2019
- Description
- This project will contribute new knowledge about the role of oligodendrocyte in MS pathogenesis and the importance of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells as a therapeutic target in the treatment of MS
- Funding
- Multiple Sclerosis Australia ($207,000)
- Scheme
- Fellowship-Postdoctoral
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Cullen CL; Young K
- Period
- 2016 - 2018
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($12,866)
- Scheme
- Grant-Research Enhancement (REGS)
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Cullen CL
- Year
- 2015
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($1,500)
- Scheme
- Grant-Conference Support Scheme
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Cullen CL
- Year
- 2015
Research Supervision
Current
1
Completed
5
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Oligodendrocytes Support Learning | 2022 |
Completed
| Degree | Title | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Cuprizone Demyelination Modifies Neuron to Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cell Synaptic Networks Candidate: Benjamin Sebastian Summers | 2022 |
| PhD | Oligodendrocytes Modulate and Maintain Circuit Function in the Adult Central Nervous System Candidate: Renee Ellen Pepper | 2020 |
| PhD | Protocadherin 15 Modulates Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cell Proliferation and Contact-mediated Self-repulsion Through Two Distinct Signalling Pathways Candidate: Yilan Zhen | 2020 |
| PhD | The Cells of the Oligodendrocyte Lineage are Differentially Altered by MAPT Accumulation and Amyloidosis Candidate: Solene Clemence Aurelie Ferreira | 2020 |
| PhD | Conditionally and Acutely Ablating Kif3a from Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells Impairs Primary Cilum Assembly and Cell Function Candidate: Megan Elizabeth O'Rourke | 2018 |