A Randomised Trial Of The Augmentation Of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy With Fluoxetine For Anxious School Refusing Youth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$539,191.00
Summary
School refusing youth consistently suffer from anxiety and sometimes depression. They become severely emotionally distressed when taken to school and experience social and academic difficulties in the short and long term as well as psychiatric illness in adulthood. Our program investigates whether treatment can be improved by enhancing psychotherapy (cognitive behaviour therapy) which helps over half of anxious school refusing children, with antidepressant-anxiety medication compared to placebo.
An Investigation Of The Aetiology Of Eating Disorders: Interactions Between Genes And Environmental Risk Factors.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$225,000.00
Summary
Eating disorders, along with substance abuse, carry the highest risk of premature death, from both natural and unnatural causes, out of 27 mental disorder categories. Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, affect about 6% of Australian women. Despite increased levels of research into the aetiology of eating disorders over the last 20 years, little knowledge exists as to which risk factors cause women to attempt weight loss to the point of increa ....Eating disorders, along with substance abuse, carry the highest risk of premature death, from both natural and unnatural causes, out of 27 mental disorder categories. Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, affect about 6% of Australian women. Despite increased levels of research into the aetiology of eating disorders over the last 20 years, little knowledge exists as to which risk factors cause women to attempt weight loss to the point of increasing their risk of premature mortality. A review of twin studies in eating disorders concludes that there is increasing evidence to suggest that genetic factors play a role in the development of eating disorders. In addition, a recent series of studies, examining risk factors before the age of eating disorder onset, have found the following events to specifically predict the development of an eating disorder as opposed to another psychiatric condition: negative self-evaluation, parental alcoholism, low parental contact and high parental expectations, critical comments about weight, shape or eating during childhood, and childhood obesity. To date, no studies have attempted to integrate the findings from twin studies with the findings from early risk factor studies. Specifically, the ways in which genes interact with the environment to increase the chances of genetic vulnerability to an eating disorder being expressed have not been examined. The proposed project seeks to investigate precisely these interactions between genes and the environment, by examining a large number of female twins, aged 29-37. An enhanced understanding of how genes interact with the environment to either increase the chances that a woman will develop an eating disorder, or alternatively to protect a woman from developing an eating disorder, will benefit our understanding of how to target prevention and treatment strategies.Read moreRead less
Ocular Motility In Autism And Asperger S Disorder: Dissociation Of Motor Deficits.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$131,235.00
Summary
We will use ocular motor technology to investigate motor dysfunction in autism and Asperger's disorder, to advance our understanding of the neurobiological bases of these disorders. This will help clarify whether neural networks are differentially disrupted in these disorders, as our previous clinical research suggests. This dissociation and the subsequent development of an ocular motor clincal screen may improve diagnosis, and potentially treatment, of these devastating conditions.
Examining The Contribution Of The Mirror Neuron System Toward Social Cognitive Impairment In Autism Spectrum Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,154.00
Summary
Despite a rapidly increasing prevalence, our neurobiological understanding of autism and Asperger's disorder remains limited. Using modern neuroscience techniques, this study investigates whether dysfunction within a specific brain cell, the mirror neuron, underlies social and language impairments in these disorders. This research provides exciting new directions for the understanding, diagnosis, and potential treatment of autism and Asperger's disorder.
Modeling The Two-hit Hypothesis Of Schizophrenia: Combined Neonatal Stress And Postnatal Corticosterone In Rats
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,500.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness defined by a number of symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, social withdrawal and cognitive impairment. Factors very early in development have been suggested to induce an increased vulnerability to this illness. Recently, it was suggested that another major event, later in life, would be needed before vulnerable individuals would develop schizophrenia. The aim of this project is to model this two-hit hypothesis in rats. We will compare the effect ....Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness defined by a number of symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, social withdrawal and cognitive impairment. Factors very early in development have been suggested to induce an increased vulnerability to this illness. Recently, it was suggested that another major event, later in life, would be needed before vulnerable individuals would develop schizophrenia. The aim of this project is to model this two-hit hypothesis in rats. We will compare the effect of various neonatal maternal separation protocols as an early stressful event, followed by chronic treatment with the stress hormone corticosterone at various stages later in life. We will also perform a detailed anatomical study of the hippocampus of these rats. This brain area has been implicated in the development of schizophrenia in humans. We will also investigate if treatment with antipsychotic drugs can prevent or reverse behavioural and neuroanatomical changes seen in the rats. This will be the first comprehensive study to model this two-hit neurodevelopment hypothesis of schizophrenia and will provide an experimental verification of a clinical concept which is very difficult to prove in patients.Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of Cognitive-behaviour Therapy For Alcohol And Other Drug Problems Among People With A Psychotic Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$217,465.00
Summary
Abuse of alcohol and other drugs among people with a major psychiatric illness is a serious public health problem and cost-effective treatments need to be developed and assessed. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a counselling intervention. 180 individuals with a psychotic illness and concurrent alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems will be randomly assigned to counselling or usual treatment and followed up for a period of 12 months. The indicators of interest include: ....Abuse of alcohol and other drugs among people with a major psychiatric illness is a serious public health problem and cost-effective treatments need to be developed and assessed. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a counselling intervention. 180 individuals with a psychotic illness and concurrent alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems will be randomly assigned to counselling or usual treatment and followed up for a period of 12 months. The indicators of interest include: current drug use; psychiatric symptoms; self-harm; social functioning; and use of health services. Findings from the proposed study will assist in the selection of particular treatment strategies and will aid the overall development of services for people with both major mental illness and substance abuse.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Stress, HPA-axis Dysfunction And CNS Structural And Functional Change In The Development Of Psychosis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,538.00
Summary
This research will further understanding of the processes underlying the development of serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and may lead to the development of strategies to prevent these devastating disorders. Although there have been advances in the management of psychotic disorders in recent years, their underlying causes remain largely unknown. We aim to investigate the potential roles of stress, HPA-axis function and structural and functional brain changes. The neurodevelopmental ....This research will further understanding of the processes underlying the development of serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and may lead to the development of strategies to prevent these devastating disorders. Although there have been advances in the management of psychotic disorders in recent years, their underlying causes remain largely unknown. We aim to investigate the potential roles of stress, HPA-axis function and structural and functional brain changes. The neurodevelopmental model of psychosis suggests that small structural CNS changes occur very early in life conferring a degree of vulnerability on the affected individual. We propose that the psychological and neurobiological processes listed above interact with the pre-existing vulnerability, resulting in the development of psychotic symptoms. This is in line with the stress-vulnerability model of psychosis. We aim to investigate this model by monitoring the level of stress reported by young people at risk of psychosis over 12 months. We will also obtain measures of their biological response to stress by assessing cortisol levels over time and brain structure and functioning will be assessed. By monitoring these processes in the high risk group, we will be able to identify any changes that occur if a psychotic illness develops. This research also has practical applications in the identification of young people at high risk of developing a psychotic disorder, Moreover it will inform the development of medical and psychological strategies aimed at preventing or delaying the onset of schizoprenia and related illnesses in the high risk population.Read moreRead less
Advanced Paternal Age: Behavioural, Neuroanatomical And Genomic Correlates In The Offspring Of Older Fathers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$501,565.00
Summary
The offspring of older fathers have an increased risk of developing disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. This is thought to be due to mutations in the developing sperm. Our group has shown in a mouse model that the offspring of older fathers have changes in brain shape and in behaviour, similar to some findings in autism. In this grant we will refine this animal model and explore the brain, behavioural and genetic correlates of advanced paternal age.
Posttraumatic Mental Health: Enhancing Resilience And Recovery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,043,011.00
Summary
Psychological disorders following exposure to trauma account for a significant proportion of the burden of disease in terms of personal suffering, decreased productivity, occupational and social dysfunction, medical disorders, and demands on health services. The overall goal of this project is to enhance the nation’s capacity in research into the identification of risk factors for posttraumatic mental disorders, study of neurophysiological factors mediating these disorders, and evaluation of tre ....Psychological disorders following exposure to trauma account for a significant proportion of the burden of disease in terms of personal suffering, decreased productivity, occupational and social dysfunction, medical disorders, and demands on health services. The overall goal of this project is to enhance the nation’s capacity in research into the identification of risk factors for posttraumatic mental disorders, study of neurophysiological factors mediating these disorders, and evaluation of treatment strategies to reduce psychological morbidity after trauma. This project will develop a critical mass of Australia’s leading trauma researchers that will ensure that Australia retains its leading edge in posttraumatic research.Read moreRead less