The impact of female sex hormones on neurodevelopment. This project aims to characterise the contribution of sex hormones to the development of emotional brain circuits in female adolescents. Puberty is associated with profound changes in emotional behaviours in females, but we know little about the underlying brain mechanisms. In particular, research has neglected to consider the role of the sex hormones for which changes are a defining feature of female puberty (eg, oestradiol). This work will ....The impact of female sex hormones on neurodevelopment. This project aims to characterise the contribution of sex hormones to the development of emotional brain circuits in female adolescents. Puberty is associated with profound changes in emotional behaviours in females, but we know little about the underlying brain mechanisms. In particular, research has neglected to consider the role of the sex hormones for which changes are a defining feature of female puberty (eg, oestradiol). This work will be the first to comprehensively advance our understanding of the unique role of sex hormones in shaping the adolescent female brain. It will provide critical understanding of how individual differences in hormonal factors increase risk for emotional problems in females, and inform treatment strategies.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100110
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Extinction of drug-seeking in adolescent rats. To investigate the ontogeny of drug abuse and its treatment, acquisition and treatment of drug-seeking behaviour will be examined in adolescent rats. I expect that adolescent rats will fail to inhibit drug-seeking behaviour, and show immaturity in cortical brain areas. Increasing cortical activity may rescue their ability to inhibit drug-seeking.
Studying the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation with near Infrared spectroscopy. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is increasingly being used as a tool in studying human and animal brain function and in the treatment of brain disorders but there are fundamental gaps in our understanding of its basic mechanisms of action and hence our capacity to optimise protocols. This research will use near infrared spectroscopy to study the range of potential ways of alt ....Studying the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation with near Infrared spectroscopy. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is increasingly being used as a tool in studying human and animal brain function and in the treatment of brain disorders but there are fundamental gaps in our understanding of its basic mechanisms of action and hence our capacity to optimise protocols. This research will use near infrared spectroscopy to study the range of potential ways of altering brain activity with rTMS. It will substantially enhance the applicability of the technique ultimately improving our knowledge of human and animal brain function and outcomes for patients with depression and other disorders. It will help reinforce Australia as a leading country in the development of brain stimulation techniques.Read moreRead less
Chronic pain and functional impairment following traumatic injury: an investigation into the impact of compensation status and experience. This project will enhance understanding of the impact of the psychosocial factors and the compensation process on recovery from traumatic injury. The project will generate new resources (screening and referral guidelines; educational materials) to improve decision making consistency, client experience, and recovery from road trauma.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100588
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Gene-environment interactions in the regulation of neuroplasticity and cognitive function . This project will study the effects of different housing conditions on neuroplasticity-related cognitive function by combining an innovative operant conditioning behavioural test (computerised touch-screen technology) and new molecular approaches. Potential gene-environment interactions will be revealed using genetically targeted mice which have never been assessed in that context (mutants with altered gl ....Gene-environment interactions in the regulation of neuroplasticity and cognitive function . This project will study the effects of different housing conditions on neuroplasticity-related cognitive function by combining an innovative operant conditioning behavioural test (computerised touch-screen technology) and new molecular approaches. Potential gene-environment interactions will be revealed using genetically targeted mice which have never been assessed in that context (mutants with altered glucocorticoid and serotonin signalling). This project will study whether specific stages of the neuroplasticity process are differentially modulated through gene-environment interactions, ultimately resulting in changes to behaviour and cognitive functions. This will lead to a better understanding of the potential approaches that could be used to improve cognitive function.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101743
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Estrogens and schizophrenia: animal studies. The female hormone, estrogen, plays a role on the reproductive system but is also involved in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Estrogen has been shown to be protective against schizophrenia, but the mechanism underlying this effect is unknown. This project aims to elucidate the brain mechanisms by which estrogens exert their action.
The development of the social brain in early childhood. This project aims to understand how the human brain develops social and emotional understanding. The brain has remarkable abilities for understanding our social environment, such as inferring other people’s thoughts and feelings. This project will use neuroscience techniques to investigate how brain networks combine to produce social understanding, how this changes throughout child development, and how it relates to complex social behaviour ....The development of the social brain in early childhood. This project aims to understand how the human brain develops social and emotional understanding. The brain has remarkable abilities for understanding our social environment, such as inferring other people’s thoughts and feelings. This project will use neuroscience techniques to investigate how brain networks combine to produce social understanding, how this changes throughout child development, and how it relates to complex social behaviours. This project’s findings could be used to develop educational programmes that enhance empathy and co-operation, strengthen family relationships, promote social inclusion and reduce maladaptive behaviours. It could also guide intervention in brain disorders that affect social understanding.Read moreRead less
The neural effects of torture. Torture affects millions of people and causes much long-term psychological harm. This project aims to identify the effects that torture has on the brain by studying torture survivors in the context of a range of brain imaging technologies that will lead to development of a model of the neural effects of torture to guide better treatments.
Sleep and circadian influences on mood and Autonomic Nervous System control of the heart. Most biological and behavioural processes have a 24-hour oscillation in activity. A critical question is whether this oscillation is a consequence of the sleep-wake cycle or the circadian system (our internal biological clock). This project will investigate circadian influence over two biological systems that have important influences over behaviour, the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and the Behavioural Fa ....Sleep and circadian influences on mood and Autonomic Nervous System control of the heart. Most biological and behavioural processes have a 24-hour oscillation in activity. A critical question is whether this oscillation is a consequence of the sleep-wake cycle or the circadian system (our internal biological clock). This project will investigate circadian influence over two biological systems that have important influences over behaviour, the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and the Behavioural Facilitation System (BFS). Specifically, we will investigate the relationship between circadian control of the heart and the induction and quality of sleep, and the circadian influence on aspects of personality (neuroticism) and mood (Positive Affect) that are related to the BFS.Read moreRead less
Age and Gender Related Changes in Motor Control of the Upper Airway Muscle Genioglossus During Sleep. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is the repetitive obstruction of the airway during sleep. Obstructions occur because muscles of the upper airway fail to keep the airway open during inspiration. The disorder is associated with cardiovascular disease and cognitive and behavioural impairment. The prevalence of the disorder increases in older adults, contributing to age-related health and behavioural ....Age and Gender Related Changes in Motor Control of the Upper Airway Muscle Genioglossus During Sleep. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is the repetitive obstruction of the airway during sleep. Obstructions occur because muscles of the upper airway fail to keep the airway open during inspiration. The disorder is associated with cardiovascular disease and cognitive and behavioural impairment. The prevalence of the disorder increases in older adults, contributing to age-related health and behavioural problems. However, age-related changes differ in men and women. We believe the high prevalence of OSA in older adults is due to age and gender related changes in the activity of muscles in the upper airway. We will study the behaviour of the upper airway muscle genioglossus during sleep in young, middle-aged and older men and women.Read moreRead less