Brain Connectivity Imaging Markers To Confirm Diagnosis For Bipolar Vs. Unipolar Depression – A Connectome Approach.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,369.00
Summary
Differentiating Bipolar disorders from Unipolar Depression is a major clinical challenge. This misdiagnosis hinders optimal clinical care and has many deleterious consequences such self-harm, increased chances of suicide, poor prognosis, and greater health care costs related to this disorder. This project will provide urgently-needed advance in accurate identification of Bipolar disorders using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and remove one of the key obstacles to accurate diagnosis.
Developmental Schizotypy In The General Population: Early Risk Factors And Predictive Utility.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$830,952.00
Summary
This study will determine early childhood risk factors for psychosis-proneness in children aged 11 years, and emerging signs and symptoms of mental health disorders of these children, using population data from the NSW Child Development Study. Determining risk for psychosis as early as possible in the life course will enable the provision of preventative interventions to children at critical points in development.
The Biology Of Risk For Bipolar Disorder: Genetic Effects In A High-risk Longitudinal Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$856,412.00
Summary
Bipolar disorder is a severe mood disorder affecting over 350,000 Australians. Some children of bipolar disorder patients will also become ill, although currently we have no tools to predict which of these genetically at-risk young individuals will eventually develop symptoms. This study will use genetic information plus brain structural changes to predict which at-risk individuals are likely to become ill. This study will help elucidate early clinical and biological markers of bipolar disorder.
Understanding The Origins Of Diabetes And Kidney Disease In Aboriginal Children And Their Mothers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,784,613.00
Summary
Aboriginal people experience increased rates of diabetes and kidney disease than non-Aboriginal Australians. This project seeks to understand the role played by the intrauterine events, maternal nutrition, breastfeeding and early growth in the development of diabetes and kidney failure in both Aboriginal mothers and their children.
Much of the death and suffering caused by cancer is associated with secondary tumours, but alot remains to be learned about how cancer spreads through the patient's body. This project will determine how genes that enable the growth of tumours work with other genes that enable cancer cells to detach from the tumour, enabling them to enter the bloodstream and form secondary tumours in other organs.
Epistatic Genetic Effects On Neuroanatomical Subtypes Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,141.00
Summary
Schizophrenia represents a number of clinically distinct syndromes, with a complex mode of inheritance. The delineation of biologically valid subtypes of schizophrenia is necessary to advance our understanding of the genetic basis of these syndromes. This project uses pattern classification techniques to determine subtypes of schizophrenia on the basis of structural brain abnormality across multiple regions, and will examine genetic interactions and differential gene expression associated with t ....Schizophrenia represents a number of clinically distinct syndromes, with a complex mode of inheritance. The delineation of biologically valid subtypes of schizophrenia is necessary to advance our understanding of the genetic basis of these syndromes. This project uses pattern classification techniques to determine subtypes of schizophrenia on the basis of structural brain abnormality across multiple regions, and will examine genetic interactions and differential gene expression associated with these biologically-derived subtypes.Read moreRead less
Rates, Patterns And Determinants Of Alcohol’s Harm To Others: A Cross-national Comparative Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$305,856.00
Summary
Alcohol causes harms to drinkers, and others around them, including spouses, children, family, friends, workmates and strangers. Australian and New Zealand work on alcohol’s harm to others is being replicated by the WHO in 7 countries (Chile, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam). We aim to analyse datasets from nine countries and compare the magnitude and patterning of problems across and within cultures – identifying opportunities for reducing harm from others’ drinking.
The Development Of A Composite Index Of Need For Regional Maternity Services: The Australian Regional Birthing Index (ARBI)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,975.00
Summary
the Australian Regional Birthing Index (ARBI) is to be developed in response to the National Maternity Services Plan recommendation for an index to guide the provision of maternity services in rural and remote Australia. This index uses the size, remoteness, and vulnerability of the community, plus lessons learnt from the Canadian rural birth index. An Expert Panel of experienced clinicians, health planners and policy makers and managers of services will guide and test the feasibility of impleme ....the Australian Regional Birthing Index (ARBI) is to be developed in response to the National Maternity Services Plan recommendation for an index to guide the provision of maternity services in rural and remote Australia. This index uses the size, remoteness, and vulnerability of the community, plus lessons learnt from the Canadian rural birth index. An Expert Panel of experienced clinicians, health planners and policy makers and managers of services will guide and test the feasibility of implementing this index.Read moreRead less
A Dimensional Approach To Mapping The Risk Mechanisms Of Mental Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,677,975.00
Summary
There is ongoing debate about whether current definitions of mental disorders are accurate. We will use statistical techniques to identify the core dimensions of liability for mental illness, and map how genes and brain organization drive differences between people along each dimension.
A National Population-based Study Of Rheumatic Heart Disease In Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$877,826.00
Summary
Whilst overall a rare disease, Indigenous peoples have disproportionately high rates of rheumatic heart disease (RHD). This study explores the prevalence and distribution of RHD in pregnancy in Australia and New Zealand. It details current management, diagnostic and referral process and risk factors. Key attributes of culturally safe models of care for RHD in pregnancy are explored, particularly as they relate to Indigenous women. Findings will inform policy, guidelines and education resources.