Determining The Cognitive Sequelae Of Adolescent Cannabis Use: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$259,731.00
Summary
Adult cannabis users have problems with memory and attention, but it is not known to what extent these cognitive deficits relate to premorbid intellectual functioning or underlying personality features. Further, it is not known to what extent cannabis use during adolescence (when the brain is still developing), may lead to greater cognitive impairment. This study will directly address these questions utilising a large sample of adolescents followed since entry to high school.
Dependent drug use is associated with a range of physical and mental health problems. However the process by which drug-related changes to the human brain influence behaviours important to remaining abstinent is poorly understood. The current proposal investigates the neural and behavioural effects of drug dependence on cognitive control - responsible for impulse control and decision making - previously implicated in drug dependence.
A Randomised Double Blind, Placebo-controlled Study Of Nefiracetam In Patients With Post- Stroke Apathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$865,271.00
Summary
A wide range of emotional and cognitive disturbances are observed following stroke. Apathy is expressed by diminished initiation and poor persistence on tasks, lack of interest, emotional indifference and low social engagement. Our preliminary study has suggested that the medication nefiracetam significantly improves apathy among stroke patients. The main aim of our project is to conduct a large scale study to determine whether nefiracetam improves apathy in patients with stroke lesions.
Exercise Reverses Cognitive Decline In Aged Animals By Growth Hormone Stimulation Of Neurogenesis In The Hippocampus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,409.00
Summary
The production of new neurons in the hippocampus plays a critical role in learning and memory. With increasing age, this production slows and is associated with cognitive decline. However the stem cells that make new neurons are still present, and we have discovered that exercise activates these cells, leading to renewed neuron production and reversal of cognitive decline. We will explore how this process is regulated in order to develop strategies to reduce cognitive decline in humans.
Sleep Disordered Breathing And Neurocognitive Function In Children Post-adenotonsillectomy: Three Year Follow-up
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$266,536.00
Summary
Snoring is very common and affects at least 10% of children, or an estimated 0.25 million children in Australia. It is associated with deficits in a wide range of neurocognitive areas including intelligence, memory, reasoning, learning and behaviour. We have recently studied a group of 53 snoring children both before and six months after removal of their tonsils and adenoids, to treat suspected upper airway obstruction associated with their snoring. We found that prior to surgery, intelligence, ....Snoring is very common and affects at least 10% of children, or an estimated 0.25 million children in Australia. It is associated with deficits in a wide range of neurocognitive areas including intelligence, memory, reasoning, learning and behaviour. We have recently studied a group of 53 snoring children both before and six months after removal of their tonsils and adenoids, to treat suspected upper airway obstruction associated with their snoring. We found that prior to surgery, intelligence, memory, reasoning, language and behaviour were significantly reduced, by up to 10% compared to 53 non-snoring control children matched by age, gender, social class and area of residence. To our great surprise, at six months after surgery we found that although sleep and behaviour improves, intelligence, memory, reasoning and language development do not. We now wish to study these same children at 3 years after tonsils and adenoids removal, as we believe that if the deficits that we described at 6 months are still present, they are likely now to be permanent. Given the degree of deficit that we have found in snoring compared to non-snoring children, even 6 months after the snoring group of children have been treated, if still present at 3 years post-surgery then it is likely that these deficits will affect the children's future learning potential and academic success. In turn, this would suggest that early identification and treatment of sleep-related upper airway obstruction is critical in preventing long-term deficits in children's daytime functioning and behaviour.Read moreRead less
It is known that about 10% of patients over the age of 55 have difficulty with cognition and thinking 3 months after surgery and anaesthesia. Over 2 million operations involving anaesthesia are administered in Australia every year and increasingly the patients are elderly and thus exposed to the risk of cognitive decline after surgery. We have preliminary data showing that people who have mild changes in cognitive function before the surgery (known as mild cognitive impairment) are susceptible t ....It is known that about 10% of patients over the age of 55 have difficulty with cognition and thinking 3 months after surgery and anaesthesia. Over 2 million operations involving anaesthesia are administered in Australia every year and increasingly the patients are elderly and thus exposed to the risk of cognitive decline after surgery. We have preliminary data showing that people who have mild changes in cognitive function before the surgery (known as mild cognitive impairment) are susceptible to further cognitive decline after anaesthesia and surgery. In order to explore the relationship between preoperative cognitive function and postoperative cognitive decline we plan to measure cognition in patients scheduled for elective hip replacement surgery. This is done by asking patients to complete a standard battery of cognitive tests. We will be then able to identify those patients who already have mild cognitive impairment before surgery and by repeated testing after the operation will be able to demonstrate if preoperative cognitive status is a determinant of postoperative cognitive dysfunction. The primary aim of the research is to test whether cognitive impairment before surgery leads to cognitive deficit after surgery in patients over the age of 65 undergoing total hip replacement surgery. The study will also establish the prevalence of pre-operative mild cognitive impairment and the magnitude of postoperative cognitive dysfunction after surgery in this patient group. The study will explore the relationship between preoperative cognitive status and postoperative cognitive deficit , providing information about the incidence, natural history and risk factors of postoperative cognitive deficit. This work will enable further research to isolate specific causative factors and identify therapeutic and prophylactic strategies.Read moreRead less
The Genetics Of Cognitive Deficits In Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$675,512.00
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common psychiatric disorder of childhood that is marked by age-inappropriate levels of inattention and-or hyperactivity-impulsivity. The disorder appears genetic with a number of different genes likely contributing risk for ADHD. This project takes an innovative approach by asking whether there are different genetic profiles associated with children with ADHD who do or do not have neurocognitive deficits.
Cardiac Intervention, Surgery And Cognitive Outcome (CISCO) Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$367,739.00
Summary
We propose to investigate the association between the presence of coronary artery disease and changes in brain function after therapeutic interventions. Patients undergoing surgery for coronary heart disease are prone to experience changes in mental function and higher level thought processes (cognition) after surgery, especially if they are elderly. As the population ages this is becoming a more significant problem. There is some limited evidence that this particular group of patients has a hig ....We propose to investigate the association between the presence of coronary artery disease and changes in brain function after therapeutic interventions. Patients undergoing surgery for coronary heart disease are prone to experience changes in mental function and higher level thought processes (cognition) after surgery, especially if they are elderly. As the population ages this is becoming a more significant problem. There is some limited evidence that this particular group of patients has a higher incidence of cognitive impairment than the normal population even before they present for surgery, because cardiovascular disease has also been shown to be associated with changes in cognition. To investigate this, we will measure cognitive status in patients over the age of 55 who have coronary artery disease and are being investigated with coronary angiography. This will provide an indication of the baseline cognitive status in patients presenting with coronary vascular disease. We will use validated neuropsychological tests that have been used to assess potsoperative cognitive decline. These tests are sufficiently sensitive to detect subtle changes in a number of areas of thought processing (cognitive domains) and thus identify those subjects who have cognitive impairment. Patients will then go on to be treated by surgery or angioplasty. We will continue to test these patients at time intervals for 3 months in order to track the changes in cognition in each treatment group. Thus we will be in the position to compare how these modalities of treatment for heart disease impact on patients mental function and cognition. In addition we will be able to tell whether a 'recovery' period might be of benefit following coronary angiography. If we are able to demonstrate different cognitive outcomes from different treatments and also an association with pre-existing cognition, this will guide clinical decision making to minimise harm to the brain.Read moreRead less