Accelerated Longterm Forgetting In Children With Genetic Generalised Epilepsy: An Investigation Of The Temporal Trajectory And Contribution Of Executive Skills.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$107,204.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to determine which factors influence forgetting in typically developing children and in children with epilepsy. Specifically, we want to establish how forgetting occurs over time and whether it is influenced by other cognitive/thinking skills, such as strategies used to remember information, attention or resistance to interference. Moreover, we are interested in whether retention rates are affected by different types of learning materials (i.e. visual versus verbal).
Evaluation Of Rehabilitation Strategies For Prospective Memory In Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$213,950.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from motor vehicle accidents and other mishaps is a leading cause of death and disability in young adults. Memory problems is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms reported by people with TBI. Traditionally, the treatment of memory problems has focussed on retrospective memory or the ability to recall or recognise previously learned information (e.g., remembering the name of a person, recalling the content of yesterday's news stories). Little res ....Traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from motor vehicle accidents and other mishaps is a leading cause of death and disability in young adults. Memory problems is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms reported by people with TBI. Traditionally, the treatment of memory problems has focussed on retrospective memory or the ability to recall or recognise previously learned information (e.g., remembering the name of a person, recalling the content of yesterday's news stories). Little research has been conducted on problems with another type of memory called prospective memory or the ability to remember to do something in the future (e.g., remembering to attend an appointment, remembering to pay a bill before its due date). The treatment of prospective memory problems in people with TBI is, however, very important for assisting them to return to work and successful integration into the community. This is because the ability to remember to do things at the right time is essential for work and for independent living. In addition, failure to treat this type of problems can be risky or even life threatening (e.g., forgetting to take medication, forgetting to turn off an electrical appliance). This project aims to evaluate the independent and combined effectiveness of two rehabilitation strategies, namely, promoting awareness of memory problems and adopting compensatory strategies. In addition, this project aims to gauge whether a better management of prospective memory problem will lead to better functioning in the community.Read moreRead less
Efficacy Of Prospective Memory Rehabilitation Plus Metacognitive Skills Training For Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$479,111.00
Summary
Prospective memory is the ability to remember to carry out an intention at a future point in time and is a significant problem for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study investigates the effectiveness of an 6-week prospective memory rehabilitation program for people with TBI using compensatory strategies such as electronic diary or calender use and adopting routines in everyday life. The addition of metacognitive techniques to enhance outcomes will also be evaluated.
Dementia is an urgent global challenge with enormous health and economic cost to Australia. While the hope is for a cure, the number with dementia is growing and diagnosis is often delayed by ~3 years. This project will use innovative neurocognitive methods to achieve earlier diagnosis and develop tailored treatments. This will enhance or maintain function, promoting independence and community living, improving the quality of life and care for persons living with dementia.
How well people perform in everyday situations is often determined by memory function. When required to perform under stress memory performance is often affected. The effect of a psychological stress test on memory function in healthy volunteers and the ability of a dietary supplement, tyrosine, to prevent the effects will be studied. The data may suggest that depletion amino acids is responsible for the decrements in performance that are evident after an acute stressor.
How are memories stored in the brain? We know much about the brain regions involved in memory storage but we know little or nothing about how individual memories are represented and stored within those brain areas. The purpose of this project is to label and manipulate the specific subsets of brain cells that store individual memories. We will label memory-bearing cells in multiple brain regions and then ask how the connections between those cells encode learned information in the brain.
Can Music Mend Minds? Investigating The Mechanisms Underlying The Beneficial Effects Of Music On Persons With Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$411,108.00
Summary
Music can have positive effects on persons with dementia. It be a powerful trigger of memories and emotions and provide a link to one's personal past and a form of communication with carers. Familiar songs can be recognised even in the late stages of dementia when verbal communication and memory for other things may be lost. There has been little scientific investigation of how and why music can help people with dementia and their carers. This research will address this issue.
Cognitive Training In Older Diabetic Persons At Risk Of Dementia: Cognitive And Non-cognitive Outcomes And The Role Of Concurrent Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,797.00
Summary
Older people with diabetes have a higher chance of developing cognitive decline and dementia. Certain types of cognitive training were found to be effective for those at higher risk for dementia, but these treatments have not been tried on diabetic patients. This project will examine the impact of a cognitive training treatment on diabetic patients. It will examine its effectiveness in this group and some of the characteristics that may predict who responds best to the treatment.
A longitudinal study of language learning to assess early intervention outcomes in pre-school children with impaired hearing. Overseas research suggests that young children with impaired hearing and normal non-verbal cognition can develop normal language if hearing aid fitting and intervention occur before 6 months of age. Australian studies show considerable language delays in most hearing-impaired children of primary-school age. We will study the spoken language learning of hearing-impaired ....A longitudinal study of language learning to assess early intervention outcomes in pre-school children with impaired hearing. Overseas research suggests that young children with impaired hearing and normal non-verbal cognition can develop normal language if hearing aid fitting and intervention occur before 6 months of age. Australian studies show considerable language delays in most hearing-impaired children of primary-school age. We will study the spoken language learning of hearing-impaired children up to age 6 years in Victoria. The project will investigate crucial factors in achieving normal language learning in hard-of-hearing children and the role of early intervention. Normal language outcomes would enhance the educational and career prospects of hearing-impaired children and result in community cost savings.
Read moreRead less