Discovering Deep Sleep Genes And Determining Their Roles For Preserving Cognitive Functions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$484,901.00
Summary
Our mental well-being is largely tied to our sleep quality, and most cognitive disorders are also associated with poor sleep processes. Yet, we still do not know how sleep quality safeguards cognitive function. We will uncover genes that play a restorative role during deep sleep, and determine how genetic control of these deep sleep genes modulates selective attention in an animal model. Our results will suggest novel therapies for treating sleep disorders and associated diseases of the brain.
Enhancing Extinction Of Alcohol-Predicitve Stimuli Through Modulation Of Noradrenergic Signaling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,508.00
Summary
A major obstacle for alcohol-abuse treatment is the high risk of relapse and stimuli previously paired with alcohol use contribute importantly to this risk. Reducing the ability of such stimuli to trigger alcohol-seeking behaviors could significantly improve treatment outcomes. The experiments in the current proposal will develop both behavioral and pharmacological strategies for improving extinction learning with the long term goal of reducing the ability of stimuli to elicit alcohol-seeking.
Sensory Cortex Processing Changes Underlying Brain And Behaviour Deficits Caused By Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,795.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) from physical head trauma causes behavior and cognitive deficits. The burden for victims, families and the community is enormous: total life-time expenses in moderate-to-severe TBI are estimated to be $8.6 billion in Australia. We aim to elucidate whether changes in how the brain processes sensory information could underlie TBI-induced deficits in complex behaviour and whether these changes will be ameliorated by the three currently-most-promising treatments for TBI.
Epigenetic And Neurobehavioural Changes In A New Mouse Model Of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$949,466.00
Summary
Prenatal alcohol exposure can result in foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) which involves growth restriction, changes to skull morphology, central nervous system defects and intellectual disabilities. At present, diagnosis is difficult and under-reporting is suspected. We are using a mouse model to study the underlying causes of FAS, focussing on changes in brain structure and function. Hopefully we will identify markers that can be used for the early diagnosis of FAS in the future.
One-session Treatment For Specific Phobias In Pre-school Children: Improving Access And Long-term Mental Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,745.00
Summary
This project aims to conduct the first randomised controlled trial of a modified-one session treatment (OST) for preschoolers with specific phobias (SP). SPs are highly prevalent (~10%), onset very early in life (~3 years) and predict a host of mental illness later in life. OST for SPs is well-established for older children (>7 years), yet is currently untested with pre-school aged children.
Increasing The Efficacy Of Treatment For Socially Anxious Youth Through Theoretically Derived Improvements
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$971,747.00
Summary
Social anxiety has a severe impact on young people. Although we have good treatments for most anxious youth, those with social anxiety show the least change. The proposed project will evaluate the benefits of a new treatment for socially anxious young people based on current understanding of the causes of this disorder. The new treatment will have better effects than traditional therapy and will lead to increased knowledge of the causes of this disorder.
Controlling Intrusive Images In Psychopathologies: Disarming Symptoms And Enhancing Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$285,085.00
Summary
This proposal will conduct the first pre-clinical study disarming symptoms and enhancing treatment of many psychopathologies by controlling the strength of mental imagery. This study represents the first attempt to alleviate symptoms by developing a cognitive-neuroscience vaccine to control the strength of traumatic imagery and to show a causative means of enhancing imagery strength to boost the success rate of cognitive therapy involving imagery.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Physical Activity With Individual Goal-setting And Volunteer Mentors To Overcome Sedentary Lifestyle In Older Adults At Risk Of Cognitive Decline
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$506,405.00
Summary
Thirteen percent of all cases with Alzheimer’s Disease are potentially due to a lack of physical activity. This study investigates whether a 6-month physical activity program can significantly increase physical activity levels in older adults who are concerned about their memory and who are not physical active. New about this trial is that participants can choose their own goals they want to reach and the additional involvement of physical active volunteers who will support the participants.
Oxytocin Enhancement Of Social Learning In The Treatment Of Toddlers With Autism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,228,465.00
Summary
Oxytocin nasal spray has been shown to improve emotion recognition, social understanding, and social interaction skill. This project is the first to determine whether it enhances therapeutic outcomes when combined with an established social learning package for children with autism. This project continues our lead role in developing an effective and safe intervention for autism spectrum disorders.
A Stepped Care Approach For The Management Of Childhood Anxiety Disorders: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$936,628.00
Summary
Anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental disorder in childhood. Research has led to some good treatments but these don't necessarily suit all families. Stepped care is a format that allows the least complicated treatment to be given to a child first, followed by more intense treatments only when needed. The current study aims to compare this approach against a standard, established treatment. We expect the stepped care approach to result in better outcomes at a lower overall cost.