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12 Headlines First Fellowships Targeting the inflammasome pathway in neuroinflammatory diseases Dr Lola Mugisho, University of Auckland $212,604 Two pathologies, inflammaging (cumulative immune system deficiency) and telomere shortening, play central roles in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory diseases. Dr Lola Mugisho has previously shown that the inflammasome is a disease pathway that regulates inflammaging in neuroinflammatory diseases. However, it remains unknown whether this pathway also regulates telomere attrition. Using cell culture and mouse aging models, Dr Mugisho aims to determine whether inhibiting inflammasome activation will prevent telomere shortening thereby decreasing the risk of developing neuroinflammatory diseases. This study will further the understanding of the aging process and enable future studies that explore targeting the inflammasome pathway to treat age-related neuroinflammatory conditions. Identifying spatiotemporal microglial activation changes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Dr Molly Swanson, University of Auckland $199,932 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a paralysing brain and spinal cord disease caused by the death of neurons involved in movement. Brain immune cells called microglia, which normally help the brain recover from damage in disease, are also affected in ALS. Microglia appear to become ‘toxic’ late in disease, promoting the death of neurons and worsening the disease. Microglial changes will be investigated in the brain tissue of people who have died of ALS and in different disease stages of an ALS animal model. This research will contribute to understanding how microglia contribute to ALS at different stages of disease. VJ Chapman Fellowship The use of novel biomarkers to predict the development and severity of chemotherapy- induced peripheral neuropathy Dr Duncan Smyth, University College London $125,681 Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) occurs when nerves in the arms and legs are damaged by drugs used to treat cancer. CIPN occurs in 30-40% of people treated with some cancer drugs, but it is unpredictable and can sometimes be severe and disabling. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a protein, measurable in blood (a biomarker), which has been found to be elevated in other causes of damage to peripheral nerves. This study will measure levels of NfL and two other biomarkers in patients receiving chemotherapy to determine whether they can be used to predict the development and severity of CIPN. Senior Clinical Research Fellowship MAnagement of Systolic blood pressure during Thrombectomy by Endovascular Route for acute ischaemic STROKE: the MASTERSTROKE trial Dr Douglas Campbell, Auckland District Health Board $121,342 Stroke is the third most common cause of death worldwide and is the leading cause of long-term disability at all ages. A life-saving clot retrieval procedure can save lives if the clot is removed early enough. In New Zealand, these procedures are performed under general anaesthesia and blood pressure (BP) management during the procedure is critical. A higher BP might improve blood supply around the stroke, but high BP could increase bleeding. A large trial is the only way to test the appropriate BP management during clot retrieval and further improve outcomes for stroke patients in New Zealand having this remarkable new treatment.