Psychosocial Implications Of Genetic Counselling And Testing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,946.00
Summary
I am a psychologist by background, and my research program focuses on the psychological impact of genetic counselling and testing for adult-onset disorders, in particular cancer susceptibility; psychological adjustment of those at risk for adult-onset disorders; and the design and evaluation of interventions in the genetic counselling setting, in particular the use of decision aids as an innovative means of patient education.
A Multi-national Trial To Predict Treatment Response In Subtypes Of Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
Treatment of MDD using trial and error can have serious consequences. It can prolong the patient’s suffering (depression is associated with substantial morbidity, and mortality), prolong their absence from work and other productive activity and increase the burden on their family-carers. This multi-national study will collect genetics, brain function and behavioural data from a large number of participants, allowing for sensitive predictors of response to be determined.
Dysfunction of the nervous system plays an important role in the symptoms of many respiratory diseases. For example, excessive non-productive coughing, elevated mucous secretion, reduced airway patency and hyperreactivity are all characteristic symptoms of diseases such as asthma and all involve over-activity of the nervous system. This research aims to understand the neural circuitry that is involved in controlling the airways and the mechanisms that underlie how this circuitry can become dysfu ....Dysfunction of the nervous system plays an important role in the symptoms of many respiratory diseases. For example, excessive non-productive coughing, elevated mucous secretion, reduced airway patency and hyperreactivity are all characteristic symptoms of diseases such as asthma and all involve over-activity of the nervous system. This research aims to understand the neural circuitry that is involved in controlling the airways and the mechanisms that underlie how this circuitry can become dysfunctional.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Controlling Sympathetic Nerve Activity To The Heart
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$101,220.00
Summary
In heart failure there is a large increase in sympathetic nerve activity to the heart and the kidney that has detrimental effects which is related to mortality in patients. The areas in the brain causing the increased nerve activity to the heart are unknown. We will investigate the role of two key brain areas in mediating this increase. In addition we will also focus on local mechanisms that are responsible for the increase in noradrenaline spillover.