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A Healthy Start To Life, Preventative Healthcare, Strengthening Australias Social Economic Fabric
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,000,000.00
Summary
The aim is to make a major contribution to the reduction of non-fatal disease burden internationally due to mental disorders and related alcohol and substance abuse through population-based research and development health strategies. Current estimates of avertable burden for mental disorders suggest that while 40% of the burden can be reduced by optimal implementation of currently available interventions another 60% will remain unavertable without new knowledge. That new knowledge includes not o ....The aim is to make a major contribution to the reduction of non-fatal disease burden internationally due to mental disorders and related alcohol and substance abuse through population-based research and development health strategies. Current estimates of avertable burden for mental disorders suggest that while 40% of the burden can be reduced by optimal implementation of currently available interventions another 60% will remain unavertable without new knowledge. That new knowledge includes not only that derived from novel or basic neurosciences but also clear determination as to whether currently proposed early intervention paradigms for young persons with mental disorders deliver sustained benefits. To ensure the maximum benefit for persons with mental disorders, Professor Hickie needs to engage directly in two major streams of activity. The first (75% of research effort) lies in maximising the chances that the health services and other population health activities that he has championed so actively over the last decade are now utilised to both advance knowledge as well as make a much greater contribution to actual reduction in illness burden. The second (25% of research effort) lies in maximising the specific international skills collected within the BMRI and distributed more widely in its local, national and international research networks. Mental Health Research desperately needs new basic science, translational and clinical knowledge and the combination of an Australian Fellowship and these networks would provide the environment for maximising the chances of achieving such real knowledge breakthroughsRead moreRead less
Effects Of A Midwife-led Counselling Intervention To Improve Postpartum Womens Mental Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$674,240.00
Summary
Prevention of perinatal mental health difficulties is a national priority. In addition to depressed mood, some mothers experience a range of anxiety disorders. Many women report that problems are not discussed or diagnosed and few receive help. We will conduct a trial and qualitative evaluation of an early counselling intervention for distressed postpartum women. The intervention, offered by trained midwives, aims to reduce anxiety, depression and promote positive parenting.
Substances that enhance the action of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the brain are amongst the most widely used drugs. They include many anaesthetics, anxiolytics and sedatives. Their enhancing action is mediated by increasing the effectiveness of GABA acting on GABA receptors, in particular the subtype of GABA receptors known as GABA-A receptors. This action, termed positive modulation, is poorly understood in molecular terms. Our discovery of second order modulators that only act in c ....Substances that enhance the action of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the brain are amongst the most widely used drugs. They include many anaesthetics, anxiolytics and sedatives. Their enhancing action is mediated by increasing the effectiveness of GABA acting on GABA receptors, in particular the subtype of GABA receptors known as GABA-A receptors. This action, termed positive modulation, is poorly understood in molecular terms. Our discovery of second order modulators that only act in conjunction with first order modulators adds an exciting new dimension to the concept of influencing the ways in which GABA receptors can be modulated. This offers a new approach to the development of therapeutic agents acting on GABA receptors and thus the treatement of important disorders such as anxiety, epilepsy and insomnia.Read moreRead less
THE NEUROBIOLOGICAL BASIS OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN SUSCEPTIBILITY TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF STRESS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,875.00
Summary
Stress plays a major role in the development and progression of many different mental health disorders. However, as we all know, the effects of stress on one person can be very different from its effects upon another. This is at least partly explained by differences in individual coping styles. When faced with a stressful situation without a ready solution, people tend to divide into two broad camps: those with an innate tendency to adopt passive coping strategies, such as avoidance, and those t ....Stress plays a major role in the development and progression of many different mental health disorders. However, as we all know, the effects of stress on one person can be very different from its effects upon another. This is at least partly explained by differences in individual coping styles. When faced with a stressful situation without a ready solution, people tend to divide into two broad camps: those with an innate tendency to adopt passive coping strategies, such as avoidance, and those that tend towards active coping strategies, such as attempting to take control of the situation. Previous studies have provided findings that suggest that passive coping is more common amongst sufferers of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain syndrome than is active coping. But is this cause, or effect? And what are the intervening brain mechanisms? We attempt to address such questions in the present project using an animal model in which social conflict has been shown to trigger depression-like symptoms. In particular we wish to: (i) determine whether the patterns of brain activity triggered by social conflict are different for active vs. passive copers; (ii) determine whether the depression-like consequences of social conflict are more severe in passive than in active copers; (iii) determine whether differences in coping style and vulnerability to social conflict stress are due to the actions of a particular neurotransmitter, dopamine, in the prefrontal cortex of the brain; (iv) determine whether the actions of antidepressants might be attributable changes in prefrontal cortex dopamine function which in turn promote active coping in preference to passive coping. These studies will provide exciting new information about the neurobiological basis of individual differences in vulnerability to the harmful effects of stress, and thus will offer the hope of developing new ways of preventing devastating illnesses such as depression.Read moreRead less
Dopamine Mechanisms Conferring Resilience To Depression: A New Antidepressant Target
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,948.00
Summary
A significant proportion of people who suffer depression fail to obtain effective relief from either drugs or psychotherapy. Accordingly, there is a pressing need to develop new, and more effective, treatments. This project will determine whether certain specific brain pathways that use the transmitter dopamine can be manipulated in their activity so as to increase resilience to depression. This work has potential to provide the foundation for the development a new generation of antidepressants.
Trauma is responsible for a significant amount of mental health problems worldwide. Increasing disasters, violence, and war lead to much trauma in the communities. Unfortunately, most affected people do not receive much-needed care. This Program builds on discoveries from basic science to develop and evaluate clinical and population-based programs to address the range of posttraumatic mental health needs in both Australia and globally.
Identifying Determinants Of Both The Origins And The Progression Of The Depressive And Bipolar (mood) Disorders.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,235,352.00
Summary
Currently, mood disorders are classified by severity, largely ignoring causes and leading to limited treatments. The Team will clarify how differing depressive and bipolar (mood) disorders are best modelled and pursue their differing causes, so assisting identification of specific treatments relating to their underlying causes. Our studies employ a range of sophisticated technologies, including molecular biology, brain imaging techniques, and mathematical modeling. The capacity of such research ....Currently, mood disorders are classified by severity, largely ignoring causes and leading to limited treatments. The Team will clarify how differing depressive and bipolar (mood) disorders are best modelled and pursue their differing causes, so assisting identification of specific treatments relating to their underlying causes. Our studies employ a range of sophisticated technologies, including molecular biology, brain imaging techniques, and mathematical modeling. The capacity of such research to advance the management of mood disorders address a pressing clinical need.Read moreRead less