I am a consultant psychiatrist and clinical researcher. Over the last 15 years I have been trying to detect people at risk of development of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders by the prospective identification of the prodromal phase of these diso
Emerging Mental Disorders In Young People: Using Clinical Staging For Prediction, Prevention And Early Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,598,601.00
Summary
Mental disorders are a major cause of disability in Australia, especially for young people. We have developed a clinical staging model covering the earliest symptoms through persistent disorder to chronic disability. We are investigating neurobiological, personal and social factors which increase the risk of progression through these stages, and novel treatment strategies which may prevent or delay onset and relapse, reduce the impact of illness, and promote recovery. Major public health benefit ....Mental disorders are a major cause of disability in Australia, especially for young people. We have developed a clinical staging model covering the earliest symptoms through persistent disorder to chronic disability. We are investigating neurobiological, personal and social factors which increase the risk of progression through these stages, and novel treatment strategies which may prevent or delay onset and relapse, reduce the impact of illness, and promote recovery. Major public health benefits and better understanding of the onset and progression of illness will result.Read moreRead less
Promotion Of Self-help Strategies For Sub-threshold Depression Via The Internet: Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$91,573.00
Summary
Depressive symptoms are common, impair individual functioning, and may develop into a full depressive disorder. Self-help for depressive symptoms is well-liked and often used, but some strategies are not as effective as others. This project will test the feasibility of promoting helpful self-help strategies to those with a high level of depressive symptoms, using the internet. The aim is to reduce the overall level of depressive symptoms and the number developing a full depressive disorder.
Intervention For Tobacco Dependence Among People With A Psychotic Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,625.00
Summary
The prevalence of smoking among people with a psychiatric illness, especially schizophrenia, is greater than that in the general population. Exposure to tobacco smoke has been identified as a cause of 32 different diseases as well as a cause of fire injuries. Tobacco smoke is known to contain carcinogens, as well as nicotine and numerous other poisonous substances. An extensive body of scientific evidence shows that active cigarette smoking increases the risk of many different cancers. Smoking r ....The prevalence of smoking among people with a psychiatric illness, especially schizophrenia, is greater than that in the general population. Exposure to tobacco smoke has been identified as a cause of 32 different diseases as well as a cause of fire injuries. Tobacco smoke is known to contain carcinogens, as well as nicotine and numerous other poisonous substances. An extensive body of scientific evidence shows that active cigarette smoking increases the risk of many different cancers. Smoking related diseases rate second in frequency to suicide as the greatest contributor to early mortality in schizophrenia. Popular opinion holds that people with mental illness are lacking in motivation to change their behaviour due to the effects of their mental illness. However, a recent survey of inpatients in a psychiatric hospital in Newcastle, NSW, revealed that over a quarter of smokers were either preparing to quit or cut down on their smoking or already had taken action to reduce their smoking. The present research proposal represents the first large randomised controlled trial of an intervention for tobacco dependence among people with a mental illness. This project will compare the effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy combined with counselling with a self-help booklet on smoking. The proposed research follows a small clinical study of the feasibility of the intervention and a small randomised controlled trial supported by the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund. The proposed study brings together the expertise of several people across Australia who have experience in treating people with mental illness and drug dependence, including tobacco dependence. The results will inform future clinical interventions for smokers with a mental illness.Read moreRead less
Modeling The Two-hit Hypothesis Of Schizophrenia: Combined Neonatal Stress And Postnatal Corticosterone In Rats
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,500.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness defined by a number of symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, social withdrawal and cognitive impairment. Factors very early in development have been suggested to induce an increased vulnerability to this illness. Recently, it was suggested that another major event, later in life, would be needed before vulnerable individuals would develop schizophrenia. The aim of this project is to model this two-hit hypothesis in rats. We will compare the effect ....Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness defined by a number of symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, social withdrawal and cognitive impairment. Factors very early in development have been suggested to induce an increased vulnerability to this illness. Recently, it was suggested that another major event, later in life, would be needed before vulnerable individuals would develop schizophrenia. The aim of this project is to model this two-hit hypothesis in rats. We will compare the effect of various neonatal maternal separation protocols as an early stressful event, followed by chronic treatment with the stress hormone corticosterone at various stages later in life. We will also perform a detailed anatomical study of the hippocampus of these rats. This brain area has been implicated in the development of schizophrenia in humans. We will also investigate if treatment with antipsychotic drugs can prevent or reverse behavioural and neuroanatomical changes seen in the rats. This will be the first comprehensive study to model this two-hit neurodevelopment hypothesis of schizophrenia and will provide an experimental verification of a clinical concept which is very difficult to prove in patients.Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of Cognitive-behaviour Therapy For Alcohol And Other Drug Problems Among People With A Psychotic Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$217,465.00
Summary
Abuse of alcohol and other drugs among people with a major psychiatric illness is a serious public health problem and cost-effective treatments need to be developed and assessed. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a counselling intervention. 180 individuals with a psychotic illness and concurrent alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems will be randomly assigned to counselling or usual treatment and followed up for a period of 12 months. The indicators of interest include: ....Abuse of alcohol and other drugs among people with a major psychiatric illness is a serious public health problem and cost-effective treatments need to be developed and assessed. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a counselling intervention. 180 individuals with a psychotic illness and concurrent alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems will be randomly assigned to counselling or usual treatment and followed up for a period of 12 months. The indicators of interest include: current drug use; psychiatric symptoms; self-harm; social functioning; and use of health services. Findings from the proposed study will assist in the selection of particular treatment strategies and will aid the overall development of services for people with both major mental illness and substance abuse.Read moreRead less
Posttraumatic Mental Health: Enhancing Resilience And Recovery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,043,011.00
Summary
Psychological disorders following exposure to trauma account for a significant proportion of the burden of disease in terms of personal suffering, decreased productivity, occupational and social dysfunction, medical disorders, and demands on health services. The overall goal of this project is to enhance the nation’s capacity in research into the identification of risk factors for posttraumatic mental disorders, study of neurophysiological factors mediating these disorders, and evaluation of tre ....Psychological disorders following exposure to trauma account for a significant proportion of the burden of disease in terms of personal suffering, decreased productivity, occupational and social dysfunction, medical disorders, and demands on health services. The overall goal of this project is to enhance the nation’s capacity in research into the identification of risk factors for posttraumatic mental disorders, study of neurophysiological factors mediating these disorders, and evaluation of treatment strategies to reduce psychological morbidity after trauma. This project will develop a critical mass of Australia’s leading trauma researchers that will ensure that Australia retains its leading edge in posttraumatic research.Read moreRead less
Psychosocial Predictors Of Developing Breast Cancer In Women From High Risk Breast Cancer Families
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,875.00
Summary
Over the past 20 years, studies have highlighted the possible roles of stressful life events and distress, possibly mediated by social support and personality, in causing or speeding up the development of breast cancer. This possibility is of strong concern to consumers. To date, there have been few well designed, prospective studies of this issue. Furthermore, no previous studies have specifically targeted women at increased risk because of their family history. Over the past 7 years, it has be ....Over the past 20 years, studies have highlighted the possible roles of stressful life events and distress, possibly mediated by social support and personality, in causing or speeding up the development of breast cancer. This possibility is of strong concern to consumers. To date, there have been few well designed, prospective studies of this issue. Furthermore, no previous studies have specifically targeted women at increased risk because of their family history. Over the past 7 years, it has become possible to identify 2 breast cancer genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2). Female carriers of mutations in these genes with a strong family history have an estimated lifetime risk of between 35% and 85%. The Kathleen Cuningham Consortium for Research into Familial Breast Cancer (KConFab) was established 7 years ago to coordinate the collection of genetic, epidemiological and clinical data in Australian families with a dominantly inherited predisposition to breast cancer. Due to the high rate of breast cancer diagnoses in this group, and the systematic recruitment of large numbers of high risk women by KConFab, there is a unique and temporary opportunity to conduct a rigorous study to resolve this question, with sufficient numbers involved. The study is a world first, and will provide the best data to date in this area. If the study demonstrates a relationship between psychosocial factors and the development of breast cancer in women from high risk breast cancer families, subsequent identification of vulnerable individuals and the implementation of appropriate interventions may have a real impact on reducing morbidity and mortality in this population. Furthermore, the results may have implications for all women in reducing breast cancer incidence.Read moreRead less