Emerging Severe Mental Illness In Young People: Clinical Staging, Neurobiology, Prediction & Intervention From Vulnerabi
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,229,421.00
Summary
Mental disorders, such as psychotic and severe mood disorders, are the largest cause of disability in Australia. However, there is still little known about illness onset, relapse and progression. We have developed a clinical staging model with transition points from symptomfree to subthreshold status, to threshold disorder to chronic disability. We will investigate neurobiological and psychosocial factors which increase the risk of progression through these stages and use this model as a basis f ....Mental disorders, such as psychotic and severe mood disorders, are the largest cause of disability in Australia. However, there is still little known about illness onset, relapse and progression. We have developed a clinical staging model with transition points from symptomfree to subthreshold status, to threshold disorder to chronic disability. We will investigate neurobiological and psychosocial factors which increase the risk of progression through these stages and use this model as a basis for examining the effectiveness of interventions, for example to prevent, delay or ameliorate onset and relapse, and promote vocational recovery. Thus major clinical and public health benefits and an understanding of factors that contribute to the onset and progression of illness will result.Read moreRead less
Posttraumatic Mental Health: Advancing Understanding Of Diagnosis, Treatment And Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,590,920.00
Summary
Psychological disorders following exposure to trauma account for a significant proportion of the burden of disease in terms of personal suffering, decreased productivity, occupational dysfunction, and demands on health services. This project will enhance the nation's capacity to reduce psychological problems after trauma. This project will consolidate a critical mass of Australia's leading trauma researchers that will ensure that Australia retains its leading edge in posttraumatic research.
Depressive And Bipolar Disorders: Evaluating Determinants Of Onset, Recovery And Treatment Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$7,861,447.00
Summary
The depressive disorders, including bipolar disorder, are highly prevalent in the Australian community. These illnesses may be chronic or relapsing, may impair the capacity to work and can be resistant to treatment. The research team addresses this public health and clinical problem by undertaking a number of studies pursuing factors influencing predisposition and onset to disorder, clarifying the effectiveness of new treatments, and investigating factors predictive of treatment response and res ....The depressive disorders, including bipolar disorder, are highly prevalent in the Australian community. These illnesses may be chronic or relapsing, may impair the capacity to work and can be resistant to treatment. The research team addresses this public health and clinical problem by undertaking a number of studies pursuing factors influencing predisposition and onset to disorder, clarifying the effectiveness of new treatments, and investigating factors predictive of treatment response and resistance.Read moreRead less
Early Developmental Pathways Linking Health, Disability, Education, Welfare And Justice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,440,204.00
Summary
This research will use information from birth, death and medical records for all births in WA from 1980 linked to records of disability, education, justice and welfare, to map, for the first time in Australia, the pathways to good and poor outcomes over a child’s lifetime. This will bring a new focus on to how early development affects health and participation in society and will identify new ways to improve the lives of all children, regardless of their social circumstances.
Posttraumatic Mental Health: Enhancing Resilience And Recovery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,043,011.00
Summary
Psychological disorders following exposure to trauma account for a significant proportion of the burden of disease in terms of personal suffering, decreased productivity, occupational and social dysfunction, medical disorders, and demands on health services. The overall goal of this project is to enhance the nation’s capacity in research into the identification of risk factors for posttraumatic mental disorders, study of neurophysiological factors mediating these disorders, and evaluation of tre ....Psychological disorders following exposure to trauma account for a significant proportion of the burden of disease in terms of personal suffering, decreased productivity, occupational and social dysfunction, medical disorders, and demands on health services. The overall goal of this project is to enhance the nation’s capacity in research into the identification of risk factors for posttraumatic mental disorders, study of neurophysiological factors mediating these disorders, and evaluation of treatment strategies to reduce psychological morbidity after trauma. This project will develop a critical mass of Australia’s leading trauma researchers that will ensure that Australia retains its leading edge in posttraumatic research.Read moreRead less
Development And Refinement Of Neural Connections In The Adult Brain In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$8,061,596.00
Summary
Our group will use innovative approaches such as advanced imaging and cell-sorting and development of animal models to determine how new neurons are generated, how they travel to different parts of the brain and how they integrate into the existing brain circuitry. These discoveries will point to new ways in which to treat brain damage both during ageing and during pathology. Since team members have previously been involved in progressing molecular discovery to clinical trials, we are also in a ....Our group will use innovative approaches such as advanced imaging and cell-sorting and development of animal models to determine how new neurons are generated, how they travel to different parts of the brain and how they integrate into the existing brain circuitry. These discoveries will point to new ways in which to treat brain damage both during ageing and during pathology. Since team members have previously been involved in progressing molecular discovery to clinical trials, we are also in a good position to exploit these discoveries in partnership with the biopharmaceutical industry.Read moreRead less