Identifying Novel Markers To Differentiate Frontotemporal Dementia From Alzheimer's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,912.00
Summary
In people under 65 years of age, frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease are equally common. Distinguishing between these different types of dementia is extremely challenging. Patients can present with similar symptoms, even when the underlying dementia cause (i.e., brain pathology) is different. Inaccurate diagnosis means patients cannot access appropriate treatments, as these become available. I will develop novel tests of social function to improve the diagnosis of dementia syndromes.
Clarifying The Role Of Emotion Regulation In Anxiety: An Investigation Of Expressive Flexibility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$46,157.00
Summary
I am a psychologist interested in how the way we deal with emotions is related to mental wellbeing. I am particularly interested in the importance of being flexible when dealing with our emotions and I intend to investigate this by looking at people's ability to flexibly alternate between expressing and suppressing emotions and their anxiety, adjustment, stress, depression and other emotional characteristics.
Mental health problems begin in childhood. I am a behavioural scientist funded to tease out the early markers of risk. I am specifically focusing on the behavioural and genetic aspects of abnormalities of emotion processing and how best to intervene early
Mapping The Specific Pathways To Early-onset Mental Health Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,287,730.00
Summary
The foundations of mental health versus disorder are laid early. Individual differences in vulnerability can be identified early in the child's emotionality, social attention, impulsivity, and quality of parenting. This study examines how these systems emerge to coalesce into the major forms of psychopathology in the first 5 years of life.The results will identify critical variables in the early prevention of psychiatric disorders.
Caregiving Practices And Child Development: A Cross-cultural Perspective.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$109,487.00
Summary
This program of research will investigate the cross-cultural differences in the types and prevalence of cognitive and socio-emotional caregiving practices in a community sample of parents in a low income country. The influence of cultural beliefs, caregiver distress and the common challenges experienced by caregivers will be explored and it will also test the effectiveness of an innovative psychological intervention to facilitate optimal child development.
Mechanisms Of Memory And Mood Impairment Associated With Sleep Disturbance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,613.00
Summary
Sleep loss is integral and pervasive in society today. There is a link between sleep disturbance, memory impairment and depressed mood, however, the mechanisms underlying these associations are unclear. We examine whether sleep disturbed populations have preferential memory for negative information and higher levels of negative affect and mood. These findings will help to explain higher rates of depression in sleep disturbed patients, and promote the benefits of healthy sleep on mood.
Cognition In Motion: Characterization And Evolution Of Cognitive Dysfunction In Motor Neurodegeneration And Frontotemporal Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,106.00
Summary
Motor neuron disease (MND) is a fatal disease. Cognition may be unaffected or may be severely impaired to warrant a dementia diagnosis. The cognitive status at onset, its progression and the presence of co-morbid dementia of most MND patients is unknown. This research program will develop and validate a cognitive screener that diagnosis co-morbid dementia in the context of motor neurodegeneration in MND.
Emotion Regulation After Brain Injury: New Approaches To Remediation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$922,662.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injuries, often from motor vehicle accidents, devastate the lives of thousands of young Australians each year and can lead to changes in personality and emotional regulation. Frontal lobe damage may cause apathy, withdrawal and loss of motivation or a loss of control leading to poor inhibition and anger outbursts. In this project we trial some experimental approaches to improving emotion regulation including biofeedback, self-control therapy and direct cortical stimulation.