Sex-related Changes In Asthma During The Transition Through Puberty In The CAPS Birth Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$831,581.00
Summary
Early adolescence is a critical period in the life of people with asthma. Some children grow out of their asthma and others acquire the disease for the first time. There are important sex differences in the pattern of change. We believe these changes are related to the passage through puberty. This study will examine changes in the features of asthma and allergy during this period and their relation to early life and current environmental exposures.
A Window Of Vulnerability: Impaired Fear Inhibition In Adolescent Rats
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$335,849.00
Summary
Adolescence is a period of increased vulnerability to anxiety disorders. The brain undergoes substantial maturation during adolescence, particularly the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a region critical for inhibiting fear. This project examines why fear inhibition is impaired in adolescents and compares the neural mechanisms mediating treatments that enhance fear reduction in adolescence. This research adds new knowledge about novel approaches for early interventions for adolescent anxiety.
The Next Generation Of Impact In Cystic Fibrosis - Adolescent Mental Health And Beyond
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$76,365.00
Summary
My project studies adolescents with cystic fibrosis and explore how mental health issues influence and associate with important health outcomes relating to respiratory health, sleep quality, pain issues, family functioning, financial and social status and ability to manage treatment plans. I will recruit participants from the AREST CF (Australian Respiratory Early Surveillance Team for Cystic Fibrosis) project that studies children with CF from diagnosis.
The GOOD NIGHT Project: A Sleep Intervention To Prevent Depression And Improve Cardiac Health In Adolescence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$902,741.00
Summary
There is a pressing need for effective approaches to preventing depression during adolescence. The primary aim of the project is to assess whether a brief sleep intervention can prevent depression in vulnerable adolescents. Given that sleep interventions also encourage daytime activity, which when combined with improved sleep has potential benefits for cardiovascular health, the secondary aim is to test whether the sleep intervention improves early indicators of cardiovascular risk.
Improving The Quality Of Oncofertility Care In Children, Adolescents And Young Adults With Cancer: Implementation Of A Novel Fertility Preservation Decisional Support Tool To Translate Evidence Into Best Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$177,197.00
Summary
International guidelines recommend the discussion about the impact of cancer treatment on fertility. Lack of information about fertility is cited by parents as the most unmet information need.This proposal, aims to a. Develop decisional support tools for clinicians that will enhance the quality of oncofertility discussions; b. develop a Decision Aid for families making oncofertility decisions; c. Publish summaries of evidence that can contribute to national guidelines.
Developmental Influences On Brain Structure And Connectivity: Implications For Emerging Borderline Personality Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$147,611.00
Summary
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe, debilitating mental illness that has usual onset in adolescence. Research has highlighted the importance of adolescent brain development, particularly the maturation of brain connections, in onset of mental illness. Brain mapping techniques will be applied to gain a better understanding of BPD onset and progression within an approach that integrates neurobiology and psychosocial context. This is critical for understanding development of BPD.
Adolescent Brain Development And Social Cognitive Deficits In Early Psychosis: Can Intervention Improve Outcome?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,848.00
Summary
This project aims to investigate the origin of impairments in social thinking of young people with first episode psychosis (FEP), and whether social cognitive training can reverse these problems and improve social functioning. We think that slower maturation of particular brain regions during adolescence may be related to these social cognitive deficits. We will also explore whether providing training in these skills can influence the development of these key brain structures.
Preclinical Investigation Into Novel Therapeutics To Treat Drug Abuse During Adolescence And Adulthood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$713,684.00
Summary
To investigate early life drug abuse and its treatment, drug-consumption and seeking behaviour will be examined in adolescent rats. We expect dopamine immaturity during adolescence to be a critical factor in persistence of drug-seeking in adolescence.