Connecting The Dots: Novel Social Media Technologies For Long-term Functional Recovery In First Episode Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,528.00
Summary
The aim of this program of research is to evaluate the effectiveness of innovative online social media and mobile-based interventions purposely designed to improve long-term recovery in youth mental health (i.e., early psychosis and youth depression). These pioneering interventions have been designed by a large multidisciplinary team through the integration of cutting-edge social media technologies, new psychological models and strong consumer-youth participation.
Gene - Environment Interactions As Predictors Of Clinical Outcome In At Risk Mental State
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,033,620.00
Summary
The grant aims to identify the interactive genetic, clinical and environmental determinants involved in the development, severity and outcome of schizophrenia. Translation to clinical practice will be facilitated by experimental and risk assessment bioinformatics research. This will enable the (i) identification of modifiable biological and cognitive mechanisms and (ii) construction of tools which can be used for the early prediction of transition to psychotic disorder and outcome monitoring. Th ....The grant aims to identify the interactive genetic, clinical and environmental determinants involved in the development, severity and outcome of schizophrenia. Translation to clinical practice will be facilitated by experimental and risk assessment bioinformatics research. This will enable the (i) identification of modifiable biological and cognitive mechanisms and (ii) construction of tools which can be used for the early prediction of transition to psychotic disorder and outcome monitoring. This study will identify the factors that translate genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia into overt illness. The key risk factors of stress and substance use and other environmental features will be studied as part of randomised clinical trials in young people with early symptoms who are at immediate risk of schizophrenia. This study forms part of a much larger international program of research focusing on clarifying how the vulnerability to schizophrenia develops and how it can ultimately be preventedRead moreRead less
It remains unclear what the causes of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders are and what the most effective interventions are for preventing onset of disorder in those at risk. The current research program consists of a number of interrelated studies of how psychosis develops, the most effective sequential treatments to prevent the onset of disorder in high risk young people, and testing clinical criteria to identify young people at risk of a range of serious mental illnesses.
Erythrocyte Membrane Fatty Acid Concentrations And Myelin Integrity In Young People At Ultra-High Risk Of Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,831.00
Summary
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play an important role in many physiological processes in all organisms. Myelination is the process by which a fatty layer, called myelin, accumulates around nerve cells enabling nerve cells to transmit information faster. PUFAs are essential for myelination, and there is evidence documenting decreased PUFA concentrations and brain white matter (myelin) pathology in people with schizophrenia. The mechanisms underlying these abnormalities are not understood.
Predictors Of Outcome And Intervention In The ‘Ultra-High Risk’ For Psychosis Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,561.00
Summary
This area of research is concerned with improving our ability to identify young help-seeking patients who are most at risk of developing psychotic disorders and provide intervention to delay or prevent the onset of psychosis. A number of studies are planned, including researching disturbances in sense of self, neurocognitive factors, history of trauma and reaction to stress as predictive of future onset of psychosis, as well as a study of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) as an intervention for the ....This area of research is concerned with improving our ability to identify young help-seeking patients who are most at risk of developing psychotic disorders and provide intervention to delay or prevent the onset of psychosis. A number of studies are planned, including researching disturbances in sense of self, neurocognitive factors, history of trauma and reaction to stress as predictive of future onset of psychosis, as well as a study of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) as an intervention for these high risk young people.Read moreRead less
People with psychotic illness, even with good treatment, do not tend to make functional recovery. They are over represented among the unemployed, the homeless, and have poorer physical health and earlier death than the general population. Despite the significant personal, societal and economic cost of these poor outcomes there has been little research into these areas. This fellowship builds on my work in vocational recovery to broaden knowledge about, and interventions for, functional recovery ....People with psychotic illness, even with good treatment, do not tend to make functional recovery. They are over represented among the unemployed, the homeless, and have poorer physical health and earlier death than the general population. Despite the significant personal, societal and economic cost of these poor outcomes there has been little research into these areas. This fellowship builds on my work in vocational recovery to broaden knowledge about, and interventions for, functional recovery in first episode psychosis.Read moreRead less
Overcoming Barriers To Improved Physical Health In People With Severe Mental Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$864,658.00
Summary
People with severe mental illness have high rates of cardiometabolic disease and reduced life-expectancy. Public intervention campaigns have had little impact on component risks (obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, poor nutrition). This study will determine factors associated with changes in cardiometabolic profiles in people with severe mental illness; examine impediments to risk modification; and develop targeted interventions for implementation within mental health services.
Inflammation And Oxidative Stress In Emerging Psychotic And Mood Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,619.00
Summary
We are conducting four large clinical trials testing anti-inflammatory treatments like ?-3 PUFAs and aspirin in young people who are at high-risk for psychosis or have depression. This proposal adds an important component to this research by investigating inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. We aim to determine if the investigated biomarkers predict the course of illness and response to treatments. The findings will facilitate early intervention and targeted treatment.