Centre For Clinical Research Excellence In Anxiety And Neuroscience
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,007,200.00
Summary
This Centre will bring together Australia's leading anxiety and neuroscience researchers to develop, evaluate, and disseminate better treatments of anxiety. Epidemiological studies indicate that anxiety disorders are common, with lifetime prevalence estimated to be as high as 15% (1). These disorders share the features of excessive physiological arousal in response to feared stimuli, and this leads to pervasive avoidance that has a debilitating impact on people's lives. In addition, anxiety is o ....This Centre will bring together Australia's leading anxiety and neuroscience researchers to develop, evaluate, and disseminate better treatments of anxiety. Epidemiological studies indicate that anxiety disorders are common, with lifetime prevalence estimated to be as high as 15% (1). These disorders share the features of excessive physiological arousal in response to feared stimuli, and this leads to pervasive avoidance that has a debilitating impact on people's lives. In addition, anxiety is often present as a co-morbid feature of other major disorders, such as schizophrenia, substance use, and depression. Anxiety is one of the world's major health burdens; it costs $44 billion per year in the United States. Health agencies around the world are now putting unprecedented resources into understanding the neural bases of anxiety and its reduction. Building on recent advances in the neuroscience of anxiety, the Centre will expand the capacity for neurotransmitter modulation during therapy to reduce anxiety disorders. By extensive training programs with community clinicians, the Centre will conduct large-scale community trials to assess effectiveness of new approaches. The Centre will foster a new generation of neuroscience researchers and clinicians who are skilled in translating basic science findings into clinical practice.Read moreRead less
Novel Strategies For The Treatment Of Alcohol Dependance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,629.00
Summary
The proposed project is designed to extend my current project and improve the treatment of alcohol dependence by addressing three barriers to successful treatment. Firstly, a novel, integrated, stepped-care treatment for alcohol dependence and comorbid anxiety or depression will be examined in a randomised controlled trial. Secondly, the relationship between sleep disturbances, relapse and treatment retention and outcomes will be characterised. Thirdly, genetic predictors to the treatment of the ....The proposed project is designed to extend my current project and improve the treatment of alcohol dependence by addressing three barriers to successful treatment. Firstly, a novel, integrated, stepped-care treatment for alcohol dependence and comorbid anxiety or depression will be examined in a randomised controlled trial. Secondly, the relationship between sleep disturbances, relapse and treatment retention and outcomes will be characterised. Thirdly, genetic predictors to the treatment of the anti-craving medications, acamprosate and naltrexone will be investigated. The first two aims will utilise subjects recruited across three sites in Sydney while the third aim will involve analyses of blood samples and clinical data from my current projectRead moreRead less
Clarifying The Role Of Emotion Regulation In Anxiety: An Investigation Of Expressive Flexibility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$46,157.00
Summary
I am a psychologist interested in how the way we deal with emotions is related to mental wellbeing. I am particularly interested in the importance of being flexible when dealing with our emotions and I intend to investigate this by looking at people's ability to flexibly alternate between expressing and suppressing emotions and their anxiety, adjustment, stress, depression and other emotional characteristics.
Mood and anxiety disorders represent a tremendous cause of disability and morbidity. This research will use cutting-edge brain imaging technologies to understand why these disorders typically emerge in young people and whether brain imaging can reliably predict the effectiveness of different treatments for individual patients.
The Mental Health Of School-Age Children Who Stutter
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$154,781.00
Summary
Children who stutter face considerable social disadvantages and negative consequences. Adults who stutter have been found to report a significant rate of mental health disorders, yet virtually nothing is known about the presence of such problems in children who stutter. This study will evaluate the prevalence and impact of mental disorders among school-age children who stutter. This research is essential for the provision of adequate speech and psychological treatments for children who stutter.
Investigations Into The Onset And Persistence Of Severe Health Anxiety (hypochondriasis), And The Development Of Innovative Psychological Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$313,096.00
Summary
This program of research will investigate the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural factors that are involved in the onset and persistence of severe health anxiety (hypochondriasis). It will also test the effectiveness of innovative psychological interventions for the disorder.
The Evaluation Of Internet-based Treatments For Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$33,371.00
Summary
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the most common anxiety disorder in Australia and involves a disabling psychological reaction to a stressful event that doesn�t resolve on its own. Effective treatments are available but only 1 in 4 people access such treatments. This project involves the development of evidence-based treatment programs for PTSD delivered via the Internet. The aim of this research is to provide clinically and cost-effective treatments for individuals without access to spec ....Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the most common anxiety disorder in Australia and involves a disabling psychological reaction to a stressful event that doesn�t resolve on its own. Effective treatments are available but only 1 in 4 people access such treatments. This project involves the development of evidence-based treatment programs for PTSD delivered via the Internet. The aim of this research is to provide clinically and cost-effective treatments for individuals without access to specialised PTSD treatment services.Read moreRead less
Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is a debilitating psychological condition that affects at least 10% of bereaved people. There is limited knowledge on treating PGD. At present only 50% of affected people benefit from the treatment of choice. This project will test an augmented treatment that attempts to increase the efficacy of treatment for bereaved people suffering PGD. This program will shape more effective programs for assisting the 100's of thousands of Australians who suffer PGD.