Molecular And Cellular Characterisation Of Schizophrenia Associated Dysfunction In MicroRNA Biogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,205.00
Summary
We have identified substantial changes in the biogenesis of microRNA in schizophrenia. These small non-coding molecules derived from junk DNA, play a significant role in genetic regulation, with each one capable of silencing hundreds of target genes. This has major implications for schizophrenia, which is known to involve substantial changes in gene activity. The project will identify the molecular basis of this alteration in gene silencing, and its biological implications for schizophrenia.
Understanding The Pathology Of Muscarinic Receptor Deficit Schizophrenia: A Biochemically Defined Form Of The Disorder.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,804.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is a group of disorders with similar symptoms and no way of distinguishing the different disorders. In our brain collection 25% of the subjects with schizophrenia have a particular chemical deficit. Screening gene expression in people with schizophrenia, with and without this deficit will give a global picture of chemical differences between the groups. Understanding the differences between sub-groups of people with schizophrenia will aid the development of better drugs for them.
A Prospective Cohort Study Of Mortality, Abstinence, Criminality And Psychiatric Comorbidity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,500.00
Summary
Over 70 000 Australians are dependent on heroin. Heroin dependence is remarkably persistent and is, in many cases, a lifelong condition. Long term treatment outcome and abstinence from heroin among this group are poor. Mortality among heroin users is high, with heroin users dying at a rate 13 times that of peers. Despite the extent of the problem, the natural history of heroin users has not yet been studied in Australia. The current study will be the first Australian study of the natural history ....Over 70 000 Australians are dependent on heroin. Heroin dependence is remarkably persistent and is, in many cases, a lifelong condition. Long term treatment outcome and abstinence from heroin among this group are poor. Mortality among heroin users is high, with heroin users dying at a rate 13 times that of peers. Despite the extent of the problem, the natural history of heroin users has not yet been studied in Australia. The current study will be the first Australian study of the natural history of heroin users. The study will follow up a large cohort of heroin users over a three year period. Estimates will be obtained of mortality rates, abstinence rates, criminal careers, and psychiatric problems among heroin users. It will also examine factors that predict abstinence, mortality, criminality and levels of psychopathology, and determine the health costs associated with heroin use careers. The study will provide essential data on how heroin use progresses, and on what factors predict a better outcome for heroin users.Read moreRead less
Using Epidemiology To Inform Psychiatric Classification (DSM-V And ICD-11)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,502.00
Summary
Classification systems are vital for scientific progress. The classifications of mental disorders of the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association are both being revised and this Australian team is a principal contributor to both processes. We have access to three national epidemiological surveys (n-30,000) that will inform fundamental issues by developing models of mental disorder typology and identifying practical improvements in the classification systems.
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.
A Prospective Study Of The Psychiatric & Medical Characteristics Of Post-infective Fatigue & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
This project forms the central component of a larger set of studies which investigate competing psychiatric, immunological and infective models of the causes of a number of chronic fatigue syndromes, including post-infective fatigue. The study takes place in western NSW where certain viral illnesses (Glandular Fever, Ross River Virus) and a non-viral infection (QF) are common and have been associated with prolonged fatigue states. The study follows patients from laboratory-documented infections ....This project forms the central component of a larger set of studies which investigate competing psychiatric, immunological and infective models of the causes of a number of chronic fatigue syndromes, including post-infective fatigue. The study takes place in western NSW where certain viral illnesses (Glandular Fever, Ross River Virus) and a non-viral infection (QF) are common and have been associated with prolonged fatigue states. The study follows patients from laboratory-documented infections with appropriate infective, immunological and psychological measures throughout the course of their acute illness, the early recovery period and for the next 12 months. These patients are compared with people who present to their doctor with other forms of medically-unexplained fatigue. Very few previous studies have used an appropriate prospective design and followed patients with documented illness from the onset through to the development of specific forms of chronic fatigue. Further, the study is unique in terms of the range of viral and non-viral agents being investigated. It relies on the combined psychiatric, immunological and infective disease expertise of a group of researchers with an international reputation for the successful completion of such multidisciplinary projects. The initial phase of the study has demonstrated that the research team has the capacity to complete this project. Initial results have already demonstrated the potential roles of psychological and immunological factors in causing some cases of prolonged fatigue. Further, the initial results indicate that two key symptom sets (fatigue, psychological distress) can be adequately measured during the recovery phase and are predicted by differing psychological factors. The study will result in the identification of different psychiatric risk factors to chronic fatigue, assist development of clear diagnostic guidelines for post-infective fatigue and guide relevant aetiological and treatment research.Read moreRead less
Towards An Etiological Understanding Of The Comorbidity Of Psychiatric Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$997,883.00
Summary
Pyschiatric disorders are common disorders with both genetic and environmental etilogy. The disorders are characterised both by significant overlap of symptoms and by significant heterogenity of symptoms within disorders. The availability of genome-wide genotypes allows us, for the first time, to investigate co-morbidity directly at the molecular level. Understanding the nature of co-morbidity between disorders nay be an important key to effective treatment.
Action-reward Integration In The Amygdalocortical-striatal Network.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$757,495.00
Summary
This research focuses on the neural bases of decision making, a general capacity affected by normal ageing, disorders associated with neurodegeneration, major psychiatric conditions, obesity and drug addiction. This program will contribute critical new knowledge on the brain systems through which cognitive and emotional processes are integrated to control choice and decision-making and the influence of neuropathology on this integrative process.
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.
A Prospective Study Of Inflammatory Cytokines As Common Factors In The Aetiology Of Both Depression And Osteoporosis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,230.00
Summary
Both depression and osteoporosis are common, debilitating and expensive diseases and there is research to suggest that these conditions are related. This study will examine a potential common mechanism, inflammation, which may underlie both diseases. It will focus on circulating proteins which are associated with both depression and fragility fractures, and examine the role they play in both disorders.