Ann K Goodchild

Biography

Professor at Macquarie University

Research Interest

The goal of the Systems and Signalling Neuroscience Group is to understand how neurons and neuronal networks operate normally, such as in health and what changes underpin their dysfunction evident in disease. The neural systems of interest are those which control cardiovascular, metabolic and respiratory function. The specific objectives of our group are: to identify neurons in the central nervous system that regulate or modify these functions; to understand the circuitry by which they influence the key brain sites that control the functions of interest, to determine the neurochemistry of the neurons and receptor and downstream intracellular signalling mechanisms that influence their activity; to determine neuronal recruitment/adaptation and protein changes/modifications that occur within these neural systems in response to acute or chronic challenges. Acute challenges include altering blood sugar levels, blood pressure or drugs of addiction. Chronic challenges include hypertension, diabetes, and mental health disorders including depression, schizophrenia and methamphetamine addiction. These challenges alter the function of neurons and we are examining the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible. Active collaborations include those with Professor Roger Dampney (University of Sydney), Professor Paul Gray (University of Washington, USA), A/Prof Jennifer Cornish (Psychology, Macquarie University), Professor Nicki Packer (CBMS, Macquarie University), Professor Peter Dunkley (University of Newcastle) and Dr Simon McMullan (ASAM).