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Headlines 9 Dr Hollian Phillipps, University of Otago Role of prolactin-responsive proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the regulation of appetite $286,082 New Zealanders are among the most obese in the world. Genetic studies show that the brain plays a key role in control of body weight (with individual variation in body weight largely genetically determined). We have found that the pregnancy and lactation hormone prolactin can influence key neurons involved in appetite. Using cutting-edge neuroscience techniques, we will investigate how prolactin acts to change the function of these neurons and promote weight gain. This might be normal in pregnancy, but could occur abnormally in conditions when prolactin is inappropriately high, such as in people on antipsychotic medications. Summer Scholarships Zachary Adamson, University of Otago Proudly sponsored by N & CAnderson Investigating differences in cortical and dopaminergic neuron differentiation using an iPSC-derived PARK9-deficient model $8,000 Pop culture associates dopamine with euphoria, triggering our reward system, but it is much more significant for coordinating signals in our brain. When dopamine neurons begin to die, Parkinson’s disease develops. While early disease affects dopamine neurons, another set of neurons called cortical neurons remain unaffected until a much later stage of the disease. We want to identify protective mechanisms in cortical neurons that are missing from dopamine neurons. In this project, using a cell-based model harbouring a Parkinson’s disease mutation, we will compare how dopamine neurons grow as opposed to those in the outer regions of the brain. Paige Bell, University of Auckland Proudly sponsored byW.DRobins Investigating the neuronal populations affected by tau pathology in chronic traumatic encephalopathy and Alzheimer’s disease $8,000 Repetitive head injuries in contact sport can lead to a degenerative disorder called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE occurs years after an athlete has retired and causes mood and behavioural changes that progressively develop into dementia. We know that toxic tau protein clumps accumulate in CTE, but overall, we know very little about the brain changes in this disease. This project will investigate the types of neurons affected by tau in CTE. The results will address a fundamental knowledge gap and provide insights into themechanismof brain cell degeneration, which will inform future therapeutic interventions. Maggie Hames, University of Otago Proudly sponsored byW.DRobins Changes in ryanodine receptor trafficking in Alzheimer's disease $8,000 Research has identified possible alternativemechanisms for the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The altered calcium signalling hypothesis states that thememory and cognition deficits of AD are due to dysfunctional signalling within the brain causing a series of negative effects. The altered signallingmay be due to changes in the transportation of calcium channels within neurons. This study will use florescent tags to follow themovement of these channels along ADmodel neurons and control neurons to determine whether altered activity occurs. Results will increase our knowledge of mechanisms in AD and potentially provide targets for treatment. Dr Emma Scotter, University of Auckland Family studies in motor neuron disease $234,061 Dr Emma Scotter has received a Neurological Foundation Project Grant to study the genetics of Kiwis with MND. See page 12 for more. Dr Alan Stanley, Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Māui Hawkes Bay LIGHTHOUSE II – Randomised double-blind placebo- controlled phase 3 trial of triumeq in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis This project is co-funded with Motor Neurone Disease NZ $97,279 Read more on page 14.