Effects Of Lead And Socio-cultural Factors On Cognition And Behaviour Of Children In Port Pirie And Broken Hill
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,825.00
Summary
The effect of lead on children's 'intelligence' is controversial. Poorer IQ scores in children with higher exposure to lead, have been found reasonably consistently, - but there is disagreement on whether lead exposure is simply a common ASSOCIATE of poor IQ, or whether it actually CAUSES deficits. In 1994, the NHMRC prudently recommended a graded series of interventions to be implemented, depending on the proprtion of children in the community with blood lead concentrations in specific categori ....The effect of lead on children's 'intelligence' is controversial. Poorer IQ scores in children with higher exposure to lead, have been found reasonably consistently, - but there is disagreement on whether lead exposure is simply a common ASSOCIATE of poor IQ, or whether it actually CAUSES deficits. In 1994, the NHMRC prudently recommended a graded series of interventions to be implemented, depending on the proprtion of children in the community with blood lead concentrations in specific categories above 10 ug lead -100 ml of blood. The choice of this figure (10 ug-dl) was more pragmatic than scientific; there being very little data on the health effects of exposures below 10 ug-dl available at that time. A recent analysis of pooled data from past studies has now suggested there may be very large effects on child IQ at blood lead concentration BELOW 10 ug-dl. Health authorities will soon be lobbied intensely to spend vast sums on new lead abatement programs. Cities like Port Pirie and Broken Hill (where cooperative programs have achieved such significant reductions in lead exposure that a high percentage of their children now have blood lead levels below 10 ug-dl), will be forced to examine expensive options to avoid closure of the industries which provide their economic backbones, if this analysis proves to be correct. Our proposal argues that before committing to new and costly abatement programs, there is an urgent need to augment our evidence-base by conducting a new study ofchildren with lead exposures below 10 ug-dl, using more modern measures of intelligence. The study will pay closer attention to some of the socio-cultural and inherited determinants of child IQ which may have confounded the lead-IQ association in past studies, and will supplement IQ assessments (which are now considered to derive from a very old and narrow view of intelligence) with new tools for measuring 'intelligence' that may be less socio-culturally dependent.Read moreRead less
Keeping Kids On Track: An Initiative Developing The Resilience Of Aboriginal Students During A Critical Transition Phase
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,430,435.00
Summary
This initiative aims to build Indigenous children�s capacity to cope with life�s challenges and promote resilience through social and emotional skill development, cognitive development, community engagement and appropriate health provision. This will build children�s capacity as improved educational and employment outcomes accrue in the longer term. A model of the process will be developed. Indigenous researchers and community members will take part in governance and conduct of the study.
Functional Brain Age Measurement In Children And Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,433.00
Summary
An important aspect of medicine is measuring the function of the human body. It is often advantageous to convert complex functional measures into simpler, intuitive measures such as 'age'. We can compare functional age to chronological age to diagnose disease. In this project, we will build an estimate of 'brain age' in children and adolescents using recordings of the electrical activity of the brain. We will test this 'brain age' as a diagnostic tool in several neurological disorders.
Strengthening Social And Emotional Wellbeing Of Australian Aboriginal People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
The primary aim of this project is to strengthen Aboriginal people's wellbeing by understanding the development of their racial identity and related self-esteem and how these mediate mental wellbeing.
Novel Mechanism Underlying The Behavioural And Neurocognitive Deficits In Children With Sleep Disorders.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$312,296.00
Summary
About one third of Australian children have a sleep disorder. Behavioural or academic problems are common in these children, however the link between sleep and daytime problems is still not clear. New research suggests the pattern of brain activity during deep sleep may provide some answers. This study will explore the link between brain activity during deep sleep and daytime functioning in children with sleep disorders, providing valuable information for treatment.