The Genetics Of Cognitive Deficits In Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$675,512.00
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common psychiatric disorder of childhood that is marked by age-inappropriate levels of inattention and-or hyperactivity-impulsivity. The disorder appears genetic with a number of different genes likely contributing risk for ADHD. This project takes an innovative approach by asking whether there are different genetic profiles associated with children with ADHD who do or do not have neurocognitive deficits.
Cardiac Intervention, Surgery And Cognitive Outcome (CISCO) Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$367,739.00
Summary
We propose to investigate the association between the presence of coronary artery disease and changes in brain function after therapeutic interventions. Patients undergoing surgery for coronary heart disease are prone to experience changes in mental function and higher level thought processes (cognition) after surgery, especially if they are elderly. As the population ages this is becoming a more significant problem. There is some limited evidence that this particular group of patients has a hig ....We propose to investigate the association between the presence of coronary artery disease and changes in brain function after therapeutic interventions. Patients undergoing surgery for coronary heart disease are prone to experience changes in mental function and higher level thought processes (cognition) after surgery, especially if they are elderly. As the population ages this is becoming a more significant problem. There is some limited evidence that this particular group of patients has a higher incidence of cognitive impairment than the normal population even before they present for surgery, because cardiovascular disease has also been shown to be associated with changes in cognition. To investigate this, we will measure cognitive status in patients over the age of 55 who have coronary artery disease and are being investigated with coronary angiography. This will provide an indication of the baseline cognitive status in patients presenting with coronary vascular disease. We will use validated neuropsychological tests that have been used to assess potsoperative cognitive decline. These tests are sufficiently sensitive to detect subtle changes in a number of areas of thought processing (cognitive domains) and thus identify those subjects who have cognitive impairment. Patients will then go on to be treated by surgery or angioplasty. We will continue to test these patients at time intervals for 3 months in order to track the changes in cognition in each treatment group. Thus we will be in the position to compare how these modalities of treatment for heart disease impact on patients mental function and cognition. In addition we will be able to tell whether a 'recovery' period might be of benefit following coronary angiography. If we are able to demonstrate different cognitive outcomes from different treatments and also an association with pre-existing cognition, this will guide clinical decision making to minimise harm to the brain.Read moreRead less
It is known that about 10% of patients over the age of 55 have difficulty with cognition and thinking 3 months after surgery and anaesthesia. Over 2 million operations involving anaesthesia are administered in Australia every year and increasingly the patients are elderly and thus exposed to the risk of cognitive decline after surgery. We have preliminary data showing that people who have mild changes in cognitive function before the surgery (known as mild cognitive impairment) are susceptible t ....It is known that about 10% of patients over the age of 55 have difficulty with cognition and thinking 3 months after surgery and anaesthesia. Over 2 million operations involving anaesthesia are administered in Australia every year and increasingly the patients are elderly and thus exposed to the risk of cognitive decline after surgery. We have preliminary data showing that people who have mild changes in cognitive function before the surgery (known as mild cognitive impairment) are susceptible to further cognitive decline after anaesthesia and surgery. In order to explore the relationship between preoperative cognitive function and postoperative cognitive decline we plan to measure cognition in patients scheduled for elective hip replacement surgery. This is done by asking patients to complete a standard battery of cognitive tests. We will be then able to identify those patients who already have mild cognitive impairment before surgery and by repeated testing after the operation will be able to demonstrate if preoperative cognitive status is a determinant of postoperative cognitive dysfunction. The primary aim of the research is to test whether cognitive impairment before surgery leads to cognitive deficit after surgery in patients over the age of 65 undergoing total hip replacement surgery. The study will also establish the prevalence of pre-operative mild cognitive impairment and the magnitude of postoperative cognitive dysfunction after surgery in this patient group. The study will explore the relationship between preoperative cognitive status and postoperative cognitive deficit , providing information about the incidence, natural history and risk factors of postoperative cognitive deficit. This work will enable further research to isolate specific causative factors and identify therapeutic and prophylactic strategies.Read moreRead less
Imaging Genetics Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,767.00
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common psychiatric disorder of childhood that is marked by age-inappropriate levels of inattention and-or hyperactivity-impulsivity. The disorder appears genetic with a number of different genes likely contributing risk for ADHD. This project takes an innovative approach by asking how risk genes for ADHD influence the brain activity of children with ADHD when they pay attention
Neurocognitive Studies Of Reward Sensitivity In Opiate Addiction And Its Influence On Addiction-related Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$258,275.00
Summary
Drug abuse is the greatest single preventable risk factor for physical illness and death in Australians . Our understanding of the neural and cognitive mechanisms that contribute to the transition from drug use to addiction is not yet complete. The current proposal investigates cognitive control dysfunction, most notably the impulsivity for reward seen in drug addiction that is known to predict the transition from drug use to addiction and relapse during treatment.
Molecular Genetics Of Dyslexia: A Component Processes Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,960.00
Summary
With the advent of the human genome project, Australian researchers into serious childhood reading disorders are now in a position to make breakthroughs in understanding the complex linkages between genes and dyslexia. It is widely acknowledged that previous studies on the genetics of dyslexia have been limited by their failure to distinguish the different component processes in reading and the different patterns of dyslexia that they produce, and by being unable to look widely across the human ....With the advent of the human genome project, Australian researchers into serious childhood reading disorders are now in a position to make breakthroughs in understanding the complex linkages between genes and dyslexia. It is widely acknowledged that previous studies on the genetics of dyslexia have been limited by their failure to distinguish the different component processes in reading and the different patterns of dyslexia that they produce, and by being unable to look widely across the human genome. This new research addresses these two problems. Firstly, the researchers have developed a computational model of reading that identifies around a dozen basic mental processes which are recruited during skilled reading. This model provides the extremely precise phenotypes required for genetic research. Secondly, the researchers will take advantage of both very high density scans within known regions of interest on chromosomes 2,6, and 15, as well as a genome-wide scan of 400 markers small elements of DNA whose position within the genome is known, thus allowing researchers to narrow-down the location of new genes for reading. The research thus promises not only to refine our understanding of the basis for three previous genetic markers of dyslexia, but also to potentially uncover new genes related to specific elements of reading across the genome. The project pools the resources of the Macquarie Centre for Cognitive Science, the Australian Genome Research Facility, and The Garvan Institute and the researchers hope that the work will lead eventually to identifying the genes for dyslexia and to improved diagnosis and treatment of reading disorders in Australia.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.
Health-Related Quality Of Life In Intractable Paediatric Epilepsy: Using A New Measure To Improve Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$252,940.00
Summary
Until recently there was no adequate measure to assess the quality of life of children with epilepsy. Our Australian centre was the first to develop, validate and publish such an instrument; the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE). We now aim to collect more data using the QOLCE to gain further understanding of the effects of epilepsy and its treatment on the quality of life of children. We will determine if surgery in children stops seizures and improves quality of life. ....Until recently there was no adequate measure to assess the quality of life of children with epilepsy. Our Australian centre was the first to develop, validate and publish such an instrument; the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE). We now aim to collect more data using the QOLCE to gain further understanding of the effects of epilepsy and its treatment on the quality of life of children. We will determine if surgery in children stops seizures and improves quality of life. We also aim to find out if children with different types of epilepsies have unique quality of life issues. Finally, we aim to determine if the quality of a child's life depends on how well they are thinking and learning or how often they are having seizures. We will conduct this study in children with difficult epilepsy recruited from three major children's hospitals (Sydney Children's Hospital, the Children's Hospital, Westmead, Miami Children's Hospital, Florida USA) using a well designed methodology. Each child will have their particular type of epilepsy characterised using video and brain wave analysis. Each parent and older child will receive a quality of life package including the QOLCE to assess life function. In addition, all children will have an assessment of their thinking and learning by a child psychologist. At the completion of this project we will have established whether surgical treatment in children with epilepsy stops seizures and improves quality of life. This will allow clinicians and parents to better understand the effects of surgical treatment in this population. In addition, we will determine if problems in quality of life are associated with specific types of epilepsy. This information can be used to counsel families and tailor interventions and treatments. Finally, we will know whether a child's quality of life is determined by problems with thinking and learning and-or seizures.Read moreRead less
Memory, Synaptic Plasticity And Gene Networks In Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,142,138.00
Summary
Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the population. Its typical progression over a lifetime leads to long-term impairment of cognition, reality distortion, and an impoverished quality of life. Most likely, multiple genes, interacting together or with environmental factors, are involved. Using a novel approach to its partition, WA researchers aim to unravel complex networks of genes affecting memory and brain function in a cognitive deficit subtype of schizophrenia they have identified recently.