In people with MS, high levels of inflammation are thought to cause the death of myelin-producing cells in the brain called oligodendrocytes, leading to a loss of brain function. Associate Professor Jennifer Rodger’s team recently showed that a non-invasive technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve the survival of oligodendrocytes. However, the brain is a very complex organ which contains many different types of cells that work together. Â
Associate Professor Rodger’s team aims to find the parts of cells that are targeted by rTMS so that future experiments can identify the factors that are responsible for oligodendrocyte survival. Understanding these targets may lead to treatments that maximise the survival of these special brain cells, thereby to preserving brain function in people with MS.Â
Updated 31 March 2024Â
$25,000
2023
2 years
Current project