Melatonin For Initial Insomnia In Stimulant-treated Pediatric ADHD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,373.00
Summary
Does melatonin work for children with ADHD and initial insomnia? We will study children with ADHD and initial insomnia using N-of-1 trials. This is a trial in a single person, which allows them the opportunity to learn if melatonin is effective for them.We will compare the usual clinical trials (RCTs, which do not give individual results) with combined results from all the 270 patients who have done N-of-1 trials. Data from the first part of each person’s n-of-1 trial will form the RCT.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorde(ADHD) is the most prevalent mental disorder of childhood affecting around 7.5% of Australian school age children. The disorder is strongly genetic and causes significant impairments in academic functioning, family and peer relations with sufferers at increased risk for drug abuse. Identification and characterisation of rare mutations will enhance our knowledge of the neurobiology and advance the search for next generation drug treatments for the disorder.
Asking The Right Questions About Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Children: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$484,930.00
Summary
This study will evaluate the impact of a novel question prompt list (QPL) for parents of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), on their communication with their child’s doctor, and health outcomes such as adherence. The QPL aims to increase parent question asking and information sharing between clinicians and parents; improve parents’ ADHD knowledge across the developmental lifespan of their child; and thus improve adherence to medication in children with ADHD.
Cellular Modelling Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Risk Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$753,746.00
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a prevalent behavioural disorder affecting 7.4% of Australian children and adolescents. It has a strong genetic component with high heritability estimates (75–90%) comparable to other serious mental illness such as autism and schizophrenia. Identification and functional characterization of the genetic causes of this disorder will enhance our knowledge of its neurobiology and revolutionise the drug treatment of the disorder.
Does The Treatment Of Anxiety In Children With ADHD Improve Outcomes? A Large-scale Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$854,630.00
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects 5% of Australian children. Up to 64% of children with ADHD experience impairing anxiety, which is associated with higher levels of ADHD symptoms and poorer quality of life. This randomised controlled trial will determine whether treating anxiety in children with ADHD improves outcomes.
Towards An Evidence-based And Equitable Mental Health System For Children In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$706,059.00
Summary
Mental health problems in Australian children are common and associated with adverse short and long term outcomes. Treatments including medication and psychological interventions can improve these outcomes but only 50% of Australian children with mental health problems receive them. We will quantify child, family, clinician and health care system factors associated with treatment use and provide a roadmap for clinicians and policy makers to improve access for Australian children.
Impact Of A Sleep Intervention In ADHD: Translational Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,020,595.00
Summary
Up to 50% of children with ADHD experience sleep problems which worsen their ADHD symptoms, behaviour, quality of life and day to day functioning. In a previous trial, we showed that treating sleep problems in children with ADHD improves these outcomes. We now want to know if these benefits can be replicated when general paediatrcians and psychologists deliver the same sleep intervention in community settings.
A Dimensional Approach To Mapping The Risk Mechanisms Of Mental Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,677,975.00
Summary
There is ongoing debate about whether current definitions of mental disorders are accurate. We will use statistical techniques to identify the core dimensions of liability for mental illness, and map how genes and brain organization drive differences between people along each dimension.
Haplotype Variation At The Dopamine Transporter Gene (SLC6A3): Effects On Function, Endo-phenotypes, Cognition And ADHD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$585,894.00
Summary
We will investigate variation in the dopamine transporter gene. Variation in this gene will be characterised to a deeper level than has been previously possible using the latest sequencing technology, its biological function will be investigated using biochemical and neuroimaging methods directly in human subjects, and its effects on a clinically important cognitive measure and a common psychiatric condition (attention deficit/hyperactive disorder) will we determined.
Trajectories In Brain Structure And Function For Children With And Without ADHD: Associations With Academic, Cognitive, Social, And Mental Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,235,951.00
Summary
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders of childhood, affecting 7% of school-age children. This project will use neuroimaging to describe how brain structure and function change across late childhood to early adolescence for children with and without ADHD, and how those changes reflect ADHD symptom severity and functional outcomes (academic, cognitive, social, and mental health).