Ketamine Therapy Among Patients With Treatment-resistant Depression: A Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,069,382.00
Summary
In the last decade, there have been reports of powerful antidepressant effects after a single injection of anaesthetic ketamine, with dramatic (though shortlasting) effects within 24 hours. This will be the first controlled study to test whether a course of repeated ketamine treatments, given over 4 weeks, is effective and safe in treating depression.
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.
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.
Regenerative Neuroscience Strategies For Brain Ageing And Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,079.00
Summary
Dementia is the pre-eminent medical challenge of our times as it affects 34 million individuals and will quadruple by 2050. This research therefore aims to develop new preventative and therapeutic strategies for dementia. Seven different studies are proposed, ranging from new stem-cell treatments for testing in rodents, to human clinical trials looking at the preventative effects of physical and mental exercise. These are linked by a central idea of boosting the brain’s neuroplasticity.
Deep Brain Stimulation In The Treatment Of Severe Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,008,087.00
Summary
Some patients with depression fail to respond to a variety of standard treatments and in this group, deep brain stimulation (DBS) is being evaluated as an alternative treatment option. This study will investigate the use of DBS applied to a novel brain target site in patients with highly treatment refractory depression.
Individualised Vocational Support For Youth With Borderline Personality Disorder: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,359,118.00
Summary
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a severe mental disorder that can significantly disrupt normal vocational (i.e., education and employment) development. This trial investigates whether early intervention with a specialised Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model for vocational recovery is more effective than usual vocational supports for 15-25 year olds with BPD. It is expected that IPS will result in more days in mainstream employment and education.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Aripiprazole For Treatment Of Auditory Verbal Hallucinations In Borderline Personality Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,748,148.00
Summary
People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often report hearing voices. There is no consensus about how to treat these symptoms. Our study aims to address this clinical problem by conducting a 12 week trial of antipsychotic medication in patients who hear voices and have a diagnosis of BPD. The study will examine the effect of this medication on the nature of these voices, as well as other aspects of mental illness and brain functioning. The results will directly inform clinical practice.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Magnetic Seizure Therapy In Major Depressive Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,049.00
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the only established treatment for a substantial sub-population of patients who fail to respond to other therapies. However, there are significant complications of ECT including memory related side-effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a new form of treatment for severe depression, magnetic seizure therapy, which appears to have a substantially reduced rate of cognitive side-effects.
Physical Activity For Young People With Depression: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial To Test The Effectiveness Of Incorporating A Brief Intervention Into Routine Clinical Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,678,739.00
Summary
Depression and physical activity in young people are linked: lack of physical activity is a risk-factor for depression and physical activity can improve symptoms of depression. Physical activity is not routinely provided as an intervention, despite its potential to improve immediate treatment outcomes and prevent poor physical health. This study will evaluate an intervention that aims to include a brief physical activity intervention in routine clinical care for young people with depression.
Examining New Treatments And Developing New Treatment Biomarkers For Youth With Severe Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,381.00
Summary
Antidepressant medications and psychotherapy have been the mainstays of depression treatment in young people, but given their modest effectiveness, there is a pressing need for new treatment strategies. During this fellowship I aim to examine better treatments for depression, and develop better predictors about who is likely to benefit from them.