Attention deficit hyperactivity disorde(ADHD) is the most prevalent mental disorder of childhood affecting around 7.5% of Australian school age children. The disorder is strongly genetic and causes significant impairments in academic functioning, family and peer relations with sufferers at increased risk for drug abuse. Identification and characterisation of rare mutations will enhance our knowledge of the neurobiology and advance the search for next generation drug treatments for the disorder.
ASPREE-D; Aspirin In The Prevention Of Depression In The Elderly
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$796,784.00
Summary
The ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) study is a 5 year RCT of aspirin (100mg daily) or placebo in 19,000 healthy people over 70. We aim to augment the existing infrastructure of ASPREE in order to confirm the utility of aspirin for the prevention of depression in the elderly (ASPREE-D). The primary aim of ASPREE-D is to determine if use of low-dose aspirin reduces the incidence of de-novo episodes of depression in healthy individuals over 70 years of age.
The Efficacy Of N-acetyl Cysteine As An Adjunctive Treatment For First Episode Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,143,069.00
Summary
First episode psychosis may foreshadow devastating, chronic illness. Psychosis follows a staged, progressive pathway. There is evidence to suggest illness progression can be diminished and perhaps even averted if appropriate treatments are given at the early stages of illness. This project will test if N-acetycysteine (NAC) administered to young people who have experienced a first episode of psychosis can help prevent this early psychotic experience from developing into a chronic disorder.
Ketamine Therapy Among Patients With Treatment-resistant Depression: A Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,069,382.00
Summary
In the last decade, there have been reports of powerful antidepressant effects after a single injection of anaesthetic ketamine, with dramatic (though shortlasting) effects within 24 hours. This will be the first controlled study to test whether a course of repeated ketamine treatments, given over 4 weeks, is effective and safe in treating depression.
Rates Of Psychosis Onset In A High Risk Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,359.00
Summary
Older studies of people at risk of schizophrenia found that about 35% of them developed psychosis within 1 year. However the risk has decreased lately to as low as 10%. They may still become psychotic but take longer to do so, or they may not develop psychosis at all. We need to study this so that those not “at risk” are not needlessly treated. We will follow up “at risk” people and determine their 6 year outcome. We will do scans to see if there are any brain changes associated with psychosis.
A Cluster RCT Of A Novel Psychological Intervention To Reduce Depression Among At-risk Older Adults Transitioning To Residential Aged Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$893,152.00
Summary
Depression is common in aged care facilities, with many older adults finding the transition extremely difficult. We have developed a simple intervention to help new residents, including those with dementia, to adjust to life in aged care. This program focuses on key aspects of psychological wellbeing, and is designed for widespread use in aged care. We will evaluate the intervention to determine if it is superior to current care approaches in reducing depression and improving quality of life.
Modifying The Trajectory Of Insidious Late Life Cognitive Decline Using Computerised Cognitive Training
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$743,152.00
Summary
Supervised, group-based computerised cognitive training (CCT) is a safe and effective intervention to maintain cognition in healthy older adults. This project will examine the extent to which CCT can attenuate or even reverse the rate of decline in older people with previously documented cognitive decline, as well as strategies to maintain CCT effects in the long term.
Use Of Analgesics To Reduce Agitation And Agression In Older Persons With Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,556.00
Summary
Understanding the causes of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) provides a potentially remedial target for interventions. The current study will undertake the first ever trial of analgesics to reduce the frequency of agitation/aggression and other BPSD. By completion we will have new insights into the relationship between pain and various sub-types of BPSD and robust evidence on the best class of analgesics to treat BPSD
Does Antipsychotic Dose Reduction Lead To Better Functional Recovery In First Episode Psychosis: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,371,552.00
Summary
Can a person with a first episode of psychosis, once remitted, reduce their dosage of medication and still achieve better outcomes in functioning, physical health and brain volume, than if they had stayed on traditional maintenance doses of medication? This study will examine if using a dose reduction strategy in conjunction with an evidence based suite of psychosocial interventions leads to better social and vocational recovery and improved physical health and brain volume.