Action-reward Integration In The Amygdalocortical-striatal Network.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$757,495.00
Summary
This research focuses on the neural bases of decision making, a general capacity affected by normal ageing, disorders associated with neurodegeneration, major psychiatric conditions, obesity and drug addiction. This program will contribute critical new knowledge on the brain systems through which cognitive and emotional processes are integrated to control choice and decision-making and the influence of neuropathology on this integrative process.
Nicotine abuse is the single greatest preventable risk factor for physical illness and death in Australians. Our understanding of the neural and cognitive mechanisms that underlie the transition from use to dependence is yet to be understood. The current proposal investigates the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive control, critical to self-control over the impulse for drug rewards, in non-dependent and dependent nicotine users.
Cognitive And Psychosocial Functioning In Patients With Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$123,143.00
Summary
Children born extremely preterm are at risk of struggling at school and falling behind normal educational milestones, and having emotional problems such as anxiety. This study aims to see whether anxiety affects these children’s ability to learn and use new information. It will also determine whether an intervention targeting these thinking skills is less useful in children with higher levels of anxiety.
The Role Of The Orbitofrontal Cortex In Disorders Of Response Inhibition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$515,488.00
Summary
We will investigate the role of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in decision-making, particularly the effect of hyperactivity in the medial vs. ventrolateral orbitofrontal cortex on decision-making. Hyperactivity in these structures has been linked to obsessive compulsive disorder and, in line with the distinct functions of the different regions of OFC, we develop and test a novel hypothesis as to the psychological and neural bases of the obsessions and compulsions distinctive to that disorder.
The Effect Of A Course Of Oxytocin In Effecting Changes In Social And Executive Functioning In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$106,157.00
Summary
Oxytocin has been demonstrated as an effective treatment option for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The current study will look whether an eight week course of oxytocin can result in sustainable changes in social behaviour and attention in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Executive Dysfunction And Brain Development In Very Preterm 13-year-olds - A Longitudinal MRI Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$738,656.00
Summary
An area of concern for very preterm children is executive function (i.e. skills used for problem solving), which is related to educational problems, behavioural issues and social difficulties. In very preterm children this study will 1) determine if executive function problems remain stable, worsen, or improve with age; 2) look for markers for these problems from infant brain scans; and 3) examine how executive function difficulties are related to brain re-organisation.