Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo Controlled Trial Of Lithium Carbonate For The Management Of Human Cannabis Withdrawal
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$523,509.00
Summary
This project aims to help dependent cannabis users stop using cannabis by exploring the safety and effectiveness of lithium in reducing the severity of withdrawal that occurs on cessation of use. Participants will be admitted to an inpatient drug treatment unit (Sydney or Lismore) for 7 days and will be randomly assigned to receive either lithium or placebo. Participants receiving lithium are expected to have less severe withdrawal and higher rates of abstinence from cannabis at follow-up.
Cannabis Withdrawal Among Indigenous Inmates In North Queensland
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$285,920.00
Summary
In withdrawal, many Indigenous cannabis users ‘stress out’ leading to violence and self harm. Among Indigenous prisoners in a north Queensland corrective centre, 69% have been cannabis users and 57% of these suffered ‘stressing out’. We will investigate and address cannabis withdrawal symptoms by documenting their onset and severity and by devising culturally acceptable, low-cost resources and support to assist new inmates to manage ‘stressing out’.
Vulnerability Markers In The Association Between Cannabis And Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$515,764.00
Summary
Understanding the conditions that confer vulnerability to the triggering of schizophrenia by cannabis use is key to preventing transition to psychosis in up to 14% of cases. This project will examine the long- and short-term effects of different cannabis compounds on specific vulnerability markers of brain chemical abnormalities in cannabis users from the general community.
The Relationship Between Cannabis Use And Symptoms And Relapse In Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$169,604.00
Summary
Cannabis is increasingly widely used and abused by young people. Use in young people with schizophrenia is even more extensive. There is some suggestion that this drug use is a result of their illness, ie to reduce unpleasant symptoms or feelings. Equally the drug may contribute to their psychosis. This study aims to assess the degree to which psychosis may be caused by cannabis use in vulnerable young people.
Quantifying The Neurocognitive Impact Of Cannabis Across The Life Span: The Evolution Of Memory Deficits.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$516,572.00
Summary
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance, and its use is particularly prevalent during adolescence and young adulthood. Adolescence is also a period when the brain undergoes significant structural and functional change, and there is growing evidence that the brain may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of addictive substances during this developmental stage. There is increasing evidence that long term or heavy use of cannabis impairs learning and memory. It is thought that the c ....Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance, and its use is particularly prevalent during adolescence and young adulthood. Adolescence is also a period when the brain undergoes significant structural and functional change, and there is growing evidence that the brain may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of addictive substances during this developmental stage. There is increasing evidence that long term or heavy use of cannabis impairs learning and memory. It is thought that the continued bombardment of the brain s own natural cannabis-like neurotransmitter system by the active chemicals within cannabis disrupts critical aspects of brain function. This research seeks to improve our understanding of the way that cannabis use affects memory and how these problems might develop or worsen from adolescence to adulthood. This project will investigate memory processes in cannabis users using functional brain imaging techniques. This will allow identification of regions of the brain that are not working efficiently when cannabis users attempt to memorise and recall words from a list and recognise patterns. The project will examine how different levels of cannabis use (long term vs. short term and heavy vs. light) may affect brain function during learning and memory, and determine if the observed memory problems depend upon the age at which cannabis use began and the gender of the user. The findings from this research will substantially contribute to our understanding of the ways in which cannabis use affects brain function and potentially triggers serious psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. The findings will contribute to guidelines regarding hazardous levels of cannabis use within adolescent and adult populations, and will inform debate, policy, education and treatment.Read moreRead less
Determining The Cognitive Sequelae Of Adolescent Cannabis Use: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$259,731.00
Summary
Adult cannabis users have problems with memory and attention, but it is not known to what extent these cognitive deficits relate to premorbid intellectual functioning or underlying personality features. Further, it is not known to what extent cannabis use during adolescence (when the brain is still developing), may lead to greater cognitive impairment. This study will directly address these questions utilising a large sample of adolescents followed since entry to high school.
The Pubertal Onset Of Mental Disorders And Early Substance Abuse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,118,072.00
Summary
Mental disorders and early substance abuse are the most important health problems affecting adolescents and young adults in Australia, yet we have no preventive interventions for mental disorders with strong and sustained effects. Around one half of all mental disorders begin at puberty. This proposal outlines plans for the first study to comprehensively study the onset of mental disorder at this time. It will lay a foundation for the next generation of prevention studies.
Mental and substance use disorders account for more years of life lost due to disability than any other disorders. These disorders often occur together (comorbidity), yet, people with both mental and substance use disorders rarely have both disorders effectively treated. This CRE is a world first, tackling prevention and treatment for people with both mental and substance use disorders.
Evidence-based Mental Health Planning: Translating Evidence Into Policy And Services
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,442,370.00
Summary
The CRE will design a better mental health system for Australia. This service system will include the full range of prevention and treatment interventions using the best available scientific evidence. It will also describe how to ensure that the service system is implemented, by incorporating it into government policy. The work will be carried out across 5 of the best research centres in Australia with expertise in clinical medicine, epidemiology, service planning and implementation science.
Unravelling The Behavioural And Brain Mechanisms Of Compulsive Disorders, And New Ways To Treat Them
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$635,076.00
Summary
Disorders of compulsion, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and substance use disorder, are chronic, debilitating, and present a significant cost to the individual and to society. Together, these disorders affect more than 10% of the population. Moreover, 40-60% of these individuals are resistant to current treatment. The current project is aimed at improving the preclinical research underlying our understanding the behavioural and brain mechanisms of such disorders and how to treat them.