Understanding Illness Trajectories And Developing Novel Therapies For Individuals With Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,210.00
Summary
Understanding how the psychosis impacts on the patient and family will enable better planning of services and treatment, and facilitate the introduction of new rehabilitation/therapy options for patients at first episode of psychosis and beyond.
Mindfulness and coping in chronic illness: insights from a study of joint replacement surgery. This study investigates whether participation in a mental health enhancement program (mindfulness) will improve the recovery of patients undergoing total joint replacement. This will benefit patients by promoting psychological well-being which has direct effects on pain and physical function after surgery.
A Comparative Clinical Efficacy Trial Of Treatments For Melancholia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$309,711.00
Summary
This study seeks to improve treatment of melancholic depression by comparing three treatments, i) a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), ii) cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and, iii) a broad-spectrum antidepressant sequencing treatment approach. We hypothesize that the latter will be superior to both i) SSRI monotherapy, and ii) CBT monotherapy, over a 12-week trial period. Comparisons will be made with the US-based Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression trial.
The Transmission Of Perinatal Maternal Mental Health To Preschool Emotional Disorders: Examining Pathways And Intervention Points In The MPEWS Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$970,795.00
Summary
While it is known that depression, anxiety and stress in pregnancy increase the risk for poorer child mental health, what is unknown is the key pathways and intervention points to prevent this transmission of risk. This study will examine potential mechanisms and intervention points through a selected cohort study: Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Wellbeing Study. This study follows 500 women and their children from first trimester in pregnancy until the children are 3 years of age.
Understanding And Effectively Treating Cognitive And Functioning Impairments In Youth With Psychosis And Other Mental Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Impaired thinking skills, such as memory, concentration and problem solving, emerge early in psychotic and other mental disorders, which has a negative impact on functioning in work and other daily activities. Current treatments are not very effective at addressing this. The research proposed in this fellowship will improve knowledge about these impairments and develop and test a range of interventions that treat thinking skill difficulties and improve daily functioning in youth mental illness.
Clinical Outcomes With Electroconvulsive Therapy: Insights From Computational Modelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,767.00
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the treatment of choice for severe, resistant depression. However it use is reduced by concerns about memory problems. The effectiveness and side effects of ECT depend on how it is given, but clinical trials can only test 1 variation at a time. This study will use sophisticated computational modelling to understand how varying the treatment approach affects clinical outcomes, allowing the development of next-generation, custom-designed ECT treatment.
Personalised Prognostic Tools For Early Psychosis Management (PRONIA)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,739.00
Summary
Psychosis can be a devastating illness with harmful long-term consequences, such as chronic schizophrenia. To avoid distress, deterioration, and potential disability, we need more accurate tools to personalise treatment for individuals by understanding their prognosis. The PRONIA project will help to improve methods of predicting outcomes by working with our European colleagues to create a cybernetic prognostic system for psychosis that uses brain imaging, genetics, cognition, and clinical marke ....Psychosis can be a devastating illness with harmful long-term consequences, such as chronic schizophrenia. To avoid distress, deterioration, and potential disability, we need more accurate tools to personalise treatment for individuals by understanding their prognosis. The PRONIA project will help to improve methods of predicting outcomes by working with our European colleagues to create a cybernetic prognostic system for psychosis that uses brain imaging, genetics, cognition, and clinical markers.Read moreRead less
Computer-assisted Clinical Guidelines For The Management Of Manifestations Of Anxiety, Aggression And Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,032.00
Summary
This project focuses on creating a new approach to integration of clinical guidelines and the development of a computer-assisted tool to support medical reasoning in psychogeriatrics. The primary focus of this research is on helping medical practitioners to better manage dementia patients with symptoms of anxiety, aggression and depression living in nursing homes. It has the potential to fundamentally improve the way guidelines are utilised in clinical practice
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.