Posted: 27 November 2024
A/Prof Rachael Richardson has received an AUD$1.15 million Ideas Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
As the CIA (Chief Investigator), Rachael and the research team are exploring the potential for hybrid simulation (using both light and electricity) to be used to improve Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) treatments for Parkinson’s disease.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established therapy for several neurological and psychiatric conditions. Bionics Institute researchers have been investigating an innovative approach to increase the precision of the therapy to reduce the risk of serious side effects. The research team recently discovered that hybrid stimulation (a combination of electric and optogenetic stimulation) improves the precision of neural activation – allowing targeted neurons to be stimulated.
With this grant, we will be undertaking pre-clinical investigations to determine if hybrid stimulation can safely and more effectively activate neurons in the brain known to be effective in treating Parkinson’s disease.
The original project lead, Dr Niki Gunewardene (now at CSL), will continue to provide input on the project as an external consultant.
