Salt (sodium) is an essential electrolyte. Our convincing and complementary findings provide compelling evidence for a link between evolutionarily ancient “instincts” and substance abuse. This proposal is translational, including studies in opiate dependent humans. Our studies will establish how and where in the brain endogenous opioids are implicated in the gratification of salt appetite, how salt appetite is altered in opiate dependency and if salt appetite recovers following opiate withdrawal
Understanding The Neurobiology Of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,630,739.00
Summary
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition that causes difficulties with social interactions and communication, and unusual or intense behaviours. In most cases, the cause is unknown; however, there is evidence that the cause is likely genetic. We are using a new method to discover genes for ASD in families by looking at how features of ASD are inherited. Discovering genes for ASD will aid the development of new therapies and help parents of children with ASD with family planning.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorde(ADHD) is the most prevalent mental disorder of childhood affecting around 7.5% of Australian school age children. The disorder is strongly genetic and causes significant impairments in academic functioning, family and peer relations with sufferers at increased risk for drug abuse. Identification and characterisation of rare mutations will enhance our knowledge of the neurobiology and advance the search for next generation drug treatments for the disorder.
Mothers’ And Their Children’s Health Study: Understanding Disparities In Health And Health Service Utilisation Among Australian Families
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$684,744.00
Summary
The Mothers’ and their Children’s Health study will advance understanding of the risks to child health and development and help guide health policies for families across Australia. It builds on 17 years of data from a leading study of Australian women’s health with a new survey on all the children of 4000 mothers from that study. It is uniquely placed to investigate how the history of maternal and family characteristics affects the health and development of all the children in a family.