Utilising Functional Magnetic Imaging To Predict Pre-clinical Parkinson�s Disease In Patients With Idiopathic Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,712.00
Summary
In an ageing Australian population a rise in the number of people with neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD) is inevitable. The ability to accurately identify those people who are destined to develop such diseases, might offer a mechanism by which such progression could be aborted. This project will seek to identify a reliable method whereby cases of PD could be detected several years before they can currently be diagnosed.
Cerebral Palsy is most common childhood physical disability. While the brain injury is static, disability can be progressive and lifelong. This fellowship aims to develop and test novel interventions to optimise neuroplasticity by improving early detection and physical, cognitive, psychological and health outcomes in children with CP. Earlier accurate detection of CP will ensure effective treatments utilise critical periods of brain development and are translated into evidence based guidelines.
Advancing The Evidence-base For Childhood Brain Insult: Diagnosis, Assessment And Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$575,662.00
Summary
My research has 4 primary objectives, representing major gaps in current knowledge: 1. improve knowledge of recovery and determinants of post-concussive symptoms 2. establish the impact of child brain insult on socio-emotional function and identify contributing factors 3. develop an iPad based tool for socio-emotional function 4. evaluate and disseminate e-heath treatments for child brain insult
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease often diagnosed in early adulthood. Outcomes very enormously, from mild to disabling. This fellowship supports research to improve outcome prediction using genetics and to examine different strategies to optimise treatment outcomes and safety. The main data source is MSBase, which tracks over 31000 people with MS globally and is based in the University of Melbourne's brain Centre at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Deep Brain Stimulation For Treatment Resistant Major Depression: Neural Correlates And Neuropsychological Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$257,561.00
Summary
Major depression is a prevalent and devastating mental illness. While there are numerous pharmacological and psychological antidepressant therapies available, many patients do not respond to these treatments. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is emerging as a potential treatment option for individuals with chronic severe treatment resistant major depression. The current project will investigate the cognitive and neurobiological outcomes associated with the use of DBS to treat depression.
From rehabilitation to recovery after stroke : a model to optimise consumer and carer involvement. The National Research Priorities include 'ageing well, ageing productively'. Within this priority, it is necessary to be inclusive of those who have ongoing disabilities and/or chronic disease. This project aims to facilitate healthy lifestyles and community involvement in a group who have significant barriers to achieving their potential. The high incidence of depression and poor quality of life i ....From rehabilitation to recovery after stroke : a model to optimise consumer and carer involvement. The National Research Priorities include 'ageing well, ageing productively'. Within this priority, it is necessary to be inclusive of those who have ongoing disabilities and/or chronic disease. This project aims to facilitate healthy lifestyles and community involvement in a group who have significant barriers to achieving their potential. The high incidence of depression and poor quality of life in stroke survivors and their carers emphasises the need to enhance wellness in these people. The study will develop a model for promoting recovery and community reintegration in stroke survivors, with the goal of enabling stroke survivors and their carers to actively participate in the community and pursue personal goals.Read moreRead less
Epigenetic mechanisms regulating sex differences in fear-related learning and memory. Anxiety disorders represent an enormous burden on society and are associated with premature aging and infertility in men and women. Evidence also indicates that parental anxiety affects child development. Given that fear-related learning has an important influence on emotional health which, in turn, affects lifestyle and the aging process, an understanding of the neural mechanisms mediating sex differences in ....Epigenetic mechanisms regulating sex differences in fear-related learning and memory. Anxiety disorders represent an enormous burden on society and are associated with premature aging and infertility in men and women. Evidence also indicates that parental anxiety affects child development. Given that fear-related learning has an important influence on emotional health which, in turn, affects lifestyle and the aging process, an understanding of the neural mechanisms mediating sex differences in fear learning will enhance our ability to develop better therapeutic approaches for treating anxiety and preventing relapse, potentially through a gender-specific approach. The studies outlined in this proposal will have implications for promoting and maintaining good health.Read moreRead less
What is normal brain ageing? An investigation of changes in brain structure and cognition in mid-life. Pathological brain changes associated with cognitive decline later in life become detectable in the 40s and sometimes earlier, yet little is known about what constitute normal brain ageing in midlife. Using a number of neuroimaging techniques, this project will develop a detailed map of brain and cognitive ageing in middle-age and their predictors.
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 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