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Neonatal Vitamin D Status And Risk Of Schizophrenia: A Replication In Two Independent Samples
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$346,399.00
Summary
Our group have discovered that low vitamin D (the sunshine hormone) during early life alters brain development. Recently we completed the first study to examine vitamin D in stored blood samples from new born babies and examined their risk of later schizophrenia. This study, based on Danish samples, confirmed a significant relationship between vitamin D levels and risk of later schizophrenia. The current study will examine new samples from Denmark and Scotland in order to replicate this associat ....Our group have discovered that low vitamin D (the sunshine hormone) during early life alters brain development. Recently we completed the first study to examine vitamin D in stored blood samples from new born babies and examined their risk of later schizophrenia. This study, based on Danish samples, confirmed a significant relationship between vitamin D levels and risk of later schizophrenia. The current study will examine new samples from Denmark and Scotland in order to replicate this association.Read moreRead less
ASPREE-D; Aspirin In The Prevention Of Depression In The Elderly
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$796,784.00
Summary
The ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) study is a 5 year RCT of aspirin (100mg daily) or placebo in 19,000 healthy people over 70. We aim to augment the existing infrastructure of ASPREE in order to confirm the utility of aspirin for the prevention of depression in the elderly (ASPREE-D). The primary aim of ASPREE-D is to determine if use of low-dose aspirin reduces the incidence of de-novo episodes of depression in healthy individuals over 70 years of age.
It remains unclear what the causes of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders are and what the most effective interventions are for preventing onset of disorder in those at risk. The current research program consists of a number of interrelated studies of how psychosis develops, the most effective sequential treatments to prevent the onset of disorder in high risk young people, and testing clinical criteria to identify young people at risk of a range of serious mental illnesses.
Erythrocyte Membrane Fatty Acid Concentrations And Myelin Integrity In Young People At Ultra-High Risk Of Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,831.00
Summary
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play an important role in many physiological processes in all organisms. Myelination is the process by which a fatty layer, called myelin, accumulates around nerve cells enabling nerve cells to transmit information faster. PUFAs are essential for myelination, and there is evidence documenting decreased PUFA concentrations and brain white matter (myelin) pathology in people with schizophrenia. The mechanisms underlying these abnormalities are not understood.
Toward A Comprehensive Picture Of The Epidemiology Of Alcohol And Illicit Drug Use Disorders: Novel Analyses Of The World Health Organization's World Mental Health Surveys
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$734,155.00
Summary
Alcohol and illicit drug use are among the biggest risk factors for disease burden, but there is much that is not known about the natural history of substance use. This study involves analysis of data from the WHO World Mental Health Survey (WMHS) initiative, which contains data on >160,000 participants from more than 31 countries. This study will examine the patterns and predictors of substance use problems, using novel statistical techniques predict who is at greatest risk.
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
Improving The Mental Health Outcomes Of Australian Young People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,034.00
Summary
A majority of mental health problems begin in adolescence and young adulthood, but we lack effective prevention and early intervention strategies for poor mental health in young people. My aim is to improve the prevention of mental disorders in young people, and improve treatments and service provision for young people, with a focus on Aboriginal and transgender individuals. The findings will have important implications for prevention strategies and clinical care.
Enhancing Social Functioning In Young People At Ultra High Risk (UHR) For Psychosis: RCT Of A Novel Strengths-based Online Social Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,543,657.00
Summary
Psychosis is a devastating mental health disorder that results in great personal suffering and enormous societal costs. Early intervention is seen as the most promising treatment approach with potential to bring about long-term recovery. The aims of this project are to assess the effectiveness of a highly novel strengths-based online social media intervention in preventing psychosocial deterioration and improve social functioning in young people at ultra high risk of developing psychosis.
Novel Therapies, Risk Pathways And Prevention Of Mood Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,413.00
Summary
Concordant with the NHMRC priorities, this fellowship will principally focus on the development of novel therapies for mood disorders. We have pilot data that the amino acid, N acetyl cysteine reduces symptoms in unipolar and bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. We will further delineate the spectrum of efficacy, mechanisms of action and tolerability profile of this and related agents. We also will study risk factors and pathways for the development of depression, to develop public health strateg ....Concordant with the NHMRC priorities, this fellowship will principally focus on the development of novel therapies for mood disorders. We have pilot data that the amino acid, N acetyl cysteine reduces symptoms in unipolar and bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. We will further delineate the spectrum of efficacy, mechanisms of action and tolerability profile of this and related agents. We also will study risk factors and pathways for the development of depression, to develop public health strategies.Read moreRead less