Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration
Neurological diseases, such as intellectual disability and dementia, account for nearly seven per cent of Australia’s total disease burden, yet effective treatment options remain limited. The Davidson group explores the role of inflammation in neurological conditions, aiming to transform previously untreatable disorders into manageable conditions.
Overview
Neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability and cerebral palsy affect more than seven per cent of Australian children. These conditions are characterised by deficits in communication, motor skills and behavioural flexibility, often leading to a lifetime of dependence on family and the healthcare system, and with an estimated annual cost of AUD$20.42 billion. Due to the progressive nature of these disorders, early intervention is crucial for effective disease management. However, there are limited specific, approved medications for neurodevelopmental disorders, and few drug targets have been identified for development.
One of the significant obstacles in pharmaceutical innovation has been the limited understanding of neurodevelopmental disorder aetiology. Recent advances in whole genome sequencing have provided fresh insight into this, revealing that more than 40 per cent of neurodevelopmental disorders are caused by a single gene mutation. Identification of these genes has provided a foundation for understanding the pathogenic drivers of neurodevelopmental disease. While the function of many of these genes is currently unknown, a significant proportion are associated with pathways that regulate inflammation and the immune system.
Led by Dr Sophia Davidson, the Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Research .group uses genetic editing, induced pluripotent stem cell models, and super-resolution imaging to investigate the role of inflammation in monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders.
This research also extends to neurodegenerative conditions like dementia, where inflammation has recently been recognised as a disease driver. By understanding the molecular drivers of pathology in neurological conditions, the Neuroinflammation Research group aims to identify new therapeutic targets.
The team’s vision is to discover and develop therapies that make currently intractable neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases treatable, significantly improving the quality of life for patients, their families, and caregivers.
“Neurological conditions can rob patients of the ability to engage with everyday life. Despite the significant disease burden, there are almost no medications available to reverse or manage these diseases. The Davidson group studies the role of inflammation in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases to identify new therapeutic strategies for these devastating conditions,” Dr Sophia Davidson.
Areas of focus
- Investigating inflammation triggered by disruption of organelle homeostasis during neurodevelopment
- Establishing a high-content screening platform using induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurons
- Identifying and developing Pattern Recognition Receptor binding RNAs as anti-inflammatory therapeutics
- Generating induced pluripotent stem cell models of neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative disease
Research Group Head | Dr Sophia Davidson
Neurological conditions can rob patients of the ability to participate in everyday life. Despite the significant disease burden, there are almost no effective medications available to reverse or manage these diseases. I investigate the role of inflammation in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, with the aim of identifing novel treatments for these devastating conditions.
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