I am a psychologist and epidemiologist working in the field of suicide prevention. I am proposing a program of work that will systematically evaluate a range of suicide prevention initiatives for particular at-risk groups using novel evaluation methodolog
Solving The Jigsaw! Understanding Biological And Environmental Effects On ADHD Through Discordant Mononozygotic Twins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$557,500.00
Summary
The recent Child and Adolescent component of the National Mental Health Survey identified Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) as the most common behavioural problem among Australian children. Since 1991 our Australian Twin ADHD Project (ATAP) has developed as one of the world's largest programs on the genetics of ADHD, and in 2001 we published the first text on this topic. In this grant we turn the focus onto environmental influences with the question Why can one identical twin have A ....The recent Child and Adolescent component of the National Mental Health Survey identified Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) as the most common behavioural problem among Australian children. Since 1991 our Australian Twin ADHD Project (ATAP) has developed as one of the world's largest programs on the genetics of ADHD, and in 2001 we published the first text on this topic. In this grant we turn the focus onto environmental influences with the question Why can one identical twin have ADHD, while the other twin has no difficulties? Using the unique resources of the Australian Twin Registry and the WA Twin Child Health Study, we shall work across the country to find over 100 identical twin pairs who are very different in ADHD. In this way, each ADHD affected twin has an unaffected 'control twin', offering a powerful means for comparing the two. Such a study is really only possible in Australia, as no other country has such twin resources for research. The questions we want to consider with these children include the following 1- Twins have a more difficult time before and at birth. To what extent do these problems contribute to differences between the twins? 2- Are there differences in specific aspects of brain functioning? 3- Is it that one twin grows out of their ADHD but the other does not? If so, what distinguishes the children? 4- What is it like growing up with a twin who has ADHD, when you have no difficulties yourself? 5- When one twin has ADHD symptoms, is the family more likely to seek help, as they can see how different this child is form the other twin? Obviously identical twins in wehich only one has ADHD are a very unique group. By covering all aspects of development, from brain functioning to service utilisation, the hope is that this study will provide invaluable insights into this common condition which will help all children and families where the diagnosis of ADHD has been made.Read moreRead less
Role Of Brain Serotonin In Animal Models Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$175,550.00
Summary
There is increasing evidence that deficiencies in the release of a brain chemical called serotonin play an important role in the development of schizophrenia. Post-mortem studies have shown changes in the levels of 'receptors' (keyholes for messenger chemicals in the brain) for serotonin in schizophrenia. In addition, in the treatment of schizophrenia, the more recently introduced 'atypical' antipsychotic drugs are superior to the more traditional 'typical' antipsychotics in terms of efficacy an ....There is increasing evidence that deficiencies in the release of a brain chemical called serotonin play an important role in the development of schizophrenia. Post-mortem studies have shown changes in the levels of 'receptors' (keyholes for messenger chemicals in the brain) for serotonin in schizophrenia. In addition, in the treatment of schizophrenia, the more recently introduced 'atypical' antipsychotic drugs are superior to the more traditional 'typical' antipsychotics in terms of efficacy and side-effect profile. Typical antipsychotic drugs act mainly through blockade of receptors for a brain chemical called dopamine. Atypical drugs appear to have additional actions, in particular blocking the effect of serotonin in the brain. This evidence is mostly circumstancial, relying to a large extent on biochemical analysis of brain regions and 'receptors' on which antipsychotics MAY act. It is currently unclear exactly how and where in the brain changes in serotonin activity influence behavioural processes causing schizophrenia. It is also unclear how and where typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs interact with the role of serotonin in schizophrenia. In this project we intend to inactivate specific parts of the serotonin system of otherwise intact, freely moving rats. Using behavioural observation methods relevant for schizophrenia, we will analyze if and how these interventions influence the behaviour of these rats. The results can have important implications for our fundamental understanding of the involvement of serotonin in the brain in schizophrenia.Read moreRead less
Assessment And Prevention Of The Early Signs Of Anxiety And Depression In Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,363.00
Summary
Anxiety and depression are common mental health problems and children rate them as their most common emotional problems. Recent research has indicated that brief psychotherapy programs are effective in reducing these problems in 8 to 14 year olds, however, the earliest signs of these problems are detectable in the preschool years. Thus there is an urgent need for adequately evaluated community prevention programs to address the promotion of sound mental health in much younger children. The aim o ....Anxiety and depression are common mental health problems and children rate them as their most common emotional problems. Recent research has indicated that brief psychotherapy programs are effective in reducing these problems in 8 to 14 year olds, however, the earliest signs of these problems are detectable in the preschool years. Thus there is an urgent need for adequately evaluated community prevention programs to address the promotion of sound mental health in much younger children. The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive controlled trial of a community based programme for the detection and prevention of early signs of internalising disorders (i.e., shyness, fears and anxiety, depression). It is hypothesised that by intervening when children are young with the aim of improving parent-child interaction patterns, children will be steered towards a more competent and resilient approach to life. The study consists of three major components. First, we will evaluate the psychometric properties and predictive validity of the best available measures of teachers', parents' and children's' perceptions of the child's adjustment status. Second, we will follow-up the full cohort of preschool children to test which combination of the measures best predicts internalising disorders after 2 years. Third, we will conduct a controlled trial with a sample of the larger cohort to evaluate the effects of a brief parent and teacher training programme on children's adjustment. The major questions of this project are: a) Can we successfully identify children in a community preschool setting and under the age of 6 who are at risk of developing internalizing disorders? b) What assessment measures are the most reliable and valid predictors of the development of internalising disorders in this age group? c) What are the short-term and medium-term effects of a parent and teacher prevention program on children stratified according to risk for internalising disorders?Read moreRead less