Statistical Methods For Identifying Genes Involved In Common Complex Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,232.00
Summary
Better understanding of the genetic component of common diseases (e.g. melanoma, psychiatric disorders) is likely to lead to improved public health. Identification of disease susceptibility loci is currently one of the primary means for increasing our understanding of the biochemical and developmental pathways involved in many common diseases. This application will focus on developing new statistical genetic methods to better understand genetic variation and to allow more effective gene mapping.
Understanding The Role Of Sex Hormones In Mental Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Evidence suggests that the female hormone, estrogen, protects against schizophrenia, although the exact mechanism of action underlying this effect is unclear. We believe that by measuring estrogen-induced changes in the levels of genes in the brain, we will identify the way that estrogens protect against the symptoms of schizophrenia and improve antipsychotic treatment response.
Predictors Of Outcome And Intervention In The ‘Ultra-High Risk’ For Psychosis Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,561.00
Summary
This area of research is concerned with improving our ability to identify young help-seeking patients who are most at risk of developing psychotic disorders and provide intervention to delay or prevent the onset of psychosis. A number of studies are planned, including researching disturbances in sense of self, neurocognitive factors, history of trauma and reaction to stress as predictive of future onset of psychosis, as well as a study of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) as an intervention for the ....This area of research is concerned with improving our ability to identify young help-seeking patients who are most at risk of developing psychotic disorders and provide intervention to delay or prevent the onset of psychosis. A number of studies are planned, including researching disturbances in sense of self, neurocognitive factors, history of trauma and reaction to stress as predictive of future onset of psychosis, as well as a study of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) as an intervention for these high risk young people.Read moreRead less
Distinguishing Self From World: Understanding The Neural Basis Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,307.00
Summary
Self-generated sensations - such as tickling oneself - typically evoke less activity in the EEG than physically identical, externally-produced sensations. Schizophrenia patients do not exhibit this “electrophysiological self-suppression” (ESS), which accounts for their characteristic tendency to misattribute their own thoughts and actions to other people. This project aims to rectify ESS levels in schizophrenia by artificially altering patients’ sensory feedback to self-generated actions.
How Genetic And Environmental Risk Factors Interactively Impact On Animal Models For Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
The proposed research will clarify to what degree a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia alters the response to environmental risk factors (e.g. social stress and drugs of abuse) or interacts with them. Further, it will provide more sophisticated animal models for schizophrenia as well as better tools to validate these models. These studies may offer novel genetic and molecular clues to help explain the interactive nature of the impact genetic and environmental factors have on schizophrenia.
Understanding Adolescent Neurodevelopment: Relevance To Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,928.00
Summary
Schizophrenia first appears clinically during late adolescence. This project seeks to understand the molecular changes that occur during adolescent brain development that may underlie the behavioural abnormalities found in schizophrenia. We will focus on Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a gene which when reduced is associated with schizophrenia. By examining the role of this gene during adolescent brain development, we will better understand how disruptions to this gene may lead to schi ....Schizophrenia first appears clinically during late adolescence. This project seeks to understand the molecular changes that occur during adolescent brain development that may underlie the behavioural abnormalities found in schizophrenia. We will focus on Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a gene which when reduced is associated with schizophrenia. By examining the role of this gene during adolescent brain development, we will better understand how disruptions to this gene may lead to schizophrenia-like behaviours in adulthood.Read moreRead less
Psychosis contributes significantly to global disease burden, affecting more than 3% of the population when schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorders are considered together. These conditions aggregate within families, and genetic risk factors do not conform to traditional diagnostic categories. My work employs brain-based classification techniques to derive subtypes of psychosis that dissect, and/or span the diagnostic categories, for investigation of modifiable genetic and ....Psychosis contributes significantly to global disease burden, affecting more than 3% of the population when schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorders are considered together. These conditions aggregate within families, and genetic risk factors do not conform to traditional diagnostic categories. My work employs brain-based classification techniques to derive subtypes of psychosis that dissect, and/or span the diagnostic categories, for investigation of modifiable genetic and environmental risk factors for psychosis.Read moreRead less
Novel Approaches To The Targeting Of GPCRs Towards Improved Treatment Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
The focus of these studies are two important types of brain proteins that have been implicated in various symptoms associated with schizophrenia. The aim is to exploit two emerging paradigms of drug action at these brain proteins that will allow us to target them in a more selective manner. In particular, these studies will provide a starting point for safer, more effective treatments for schizophrenia.