Early Development, MicroRNAs, Dendritogenesis And Cognition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$313,557.00
Summary
Neurodevelopmental disorders are characterised by a marked disruption of learning and memory, which is reflected by structural changes in the brains of affected individuals. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of this pathology or whether it is directly related to cognitive deficits across the lifespan. How the brain is wired during early development and its relationship to learning and memory in adulthood will therefore be determined.
Efficacy Of Prism Adaptation For Recovery Of Brain Function In Unilateral Spatial Neglect
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,690.00
Summary
Damage to the brain’s attention network causes profound impairments of visual and sensory perception. These deficits are frequently long-lasting, and are a major factor in preventing patients from regaining functional independence. This project will use a combination of behavioural and brain imaging techniques to determine whether a promising new treatment involving visual retraining can improve function and reduce perceptual impairments after unilateral brain lesions.
What Role Do Cerebral Hypoxia And Sleep Disruption Play In The Neurocognitive Effects Of Paediatric Sleep Disordered Breathing?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,957.00
Summary
Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) describes a spectrum of disorders caused by obstruction of the upper airway during sleep from simple primary snoring (PS) to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Findings of our recently studies have provided strong evidence that all levels of SDB severity including PS are associated with neurocognitive and behavioural deficits. In this study we will investigate the mechanisms of which underpin these deficits.
Rumination And Deficits In The Recall Of Positive Autobiographical Memories In Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$263,295.00
Summary
The prevalence of depression is increasing and risk of recurrence exceeds 80%. The social and economic burden of depression highlight the urgent need to advance understanding of the habits of thought and memory that keep people feeling depressed, so that psychologists can treat depression more effectively. This project will explain why depressed people feel worse when they recall happy memories. The outcomes will extend theory and guide the improvement of treatments for this condition.
Information Encoding By Temporal Structure Of Afferent Spike Trains
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$231,175.00
Summary
Our ability to sense, discriminate and interpret touch stimuli underpins some of the most crucial functions of the human hand that relate to object exploration and manipulation. The fundamental mechanism of how nerve impulses generated by tactile receptors are interpreted by the nervous system is not understood. Only by discovering the underlying neural encoding mechanisms can we appreciate the functional impairments in patients and learn to identify them before they become widespread and irreve ....Our ability to sense, discriminate and interpret touch stimuli underpins some of the most crucial functions of the human hand that relate to object exploration and manipulation. The fundamental mechanism of how nerve impulses generated by tactile receptors are interpreted by the nervous system is not understood. Only by discovering the underlying neural encoding mechanisms can we appreciate the functional impairments in patients and learn to identify them before they become widespread and irreversible.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Attention In Modifying Neural Plasticity In The Adult Human Cortex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,242.00
Summary
The human brain is constantly changing in response to experience. These changes, known as plasticity, are necessary to respond to new environments, to learn new skills and to recover from brain injury. This project will determine how selective attention, a process that filters sensory information in the brain, alters brain plasticity. The outcomes will inform the design of rehabilitation treatments for individuals with a brain injury.
CAN A MEDITERRANEAN DIETARY PATTERN IMPROVE COGNITIVE HEALTH AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$717,301.00
Summary
There is increasing scientific and public interest in the role of diet and lifestyle in the prevention of cognitive decline. Easy to follow, modifiable lifestyle factors, such as diet, that improve cognitive function and reduce cognitive decline are attractive to middle aged and older Australians. We hypothesise that a Mediterranean diet pattern, consumed over 6 months, will improve cognitive function and psychological wellbeing in older men and women.
Using An App For Suicide Prevention Amongst Young Indigenous People: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$954,657.00
Summary
Of the many apps now available, a few aim to prevent suicide or improve mental health. None of these has been properly evaluated. Indigenous people under the age of 35 are three to five times more likely to suicide than their non-Indigenous peers and have limited access to suitable support services. This project aims to trial a suicide prevention app designed with and for young indigenous people.
Evaluation Of An Internet-based Cognitive-behavioural Treatment Program For Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$329,266.00
Summary
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common and extremely disabling psychatric disorder. While cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for OCD, the delivery of such treatment is limited by its cost and shortage of appropriately qualified professionals. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of an internet based CBT program for OCD, which is hoped to result in improved access to a low cost evidence based treatment for all Australians.
Optimising Men’s Uptake Of FIT Screening For Bowel Cancer: A Population Based Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,522.00
Summary
Men are more likely to die from bowel cancer but are not participating in the National Bowel Cancer Screening program to the same extent as women. The research group has devised simple messages that their previous research shows encourages men to use the screening kit. The team will compare the use of kits among men who get the Government’s usual invitations, with a group who receive invitations with the messages for men.