Estrogen - A Potential New Treatment For Women & Men With Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$227,545.00
Summary
Estrogen - the major female hormone, has been shown in animal studies to decrease the two main brain chemicals (dopamine and serotonin) that are implicated in causing schizophrenia. The effect of estrogen in the brain is similar to current antipsychotic drugs. We have carried out a study that showed that when we gave 12 young women with schizophrenia 100 micrograms of estrogen in a skin patch form plus standard antipsychotic drug treament they recovered more quickly than 12 young women who recei ....Estrogen - the major female hormone, has been shown in animal studies to decrease the two main brain chemicals (dopamine and serotonin) that are implicated in causing schizophrenia. The effect of estrogen in the brain is similar to current antipsychotic drugs. We have carried out a study that showed that when we gave 12 young women with schizophrenia 100 micrograms of estrogen in a skin patch form plus standard antipsychotic drug treament they recovered more quickly than 12 young women who received standard antipsychotic drug treatment only. 100mcg is a safe dose of estrogen. In this proposal we want to expand and clarify the pilot study resutls by conducting a 28 day trial in a total of 60 women with schizophrenia. 30 women would receive 100 mcg skin patch estrogen plus antipsychotic medication and 30 women would receive antipsychotic medicationly only. We also tested the value of adding a very small dose of oral estrogen to antipsychotic drug treatment in five men with schizophrenia and found that they made a better recovery compared to five men who received standard antipsychotic drugs only. We trialled the use of estrogen for seven days in men, but this may not have been long enough to examine the real impact of estrogen treatment in men. In this proposal we want to conduct a 14 day trial in a total of 60 men with schizophrenia. 30 men would receive 2mg of oral estrogen plus antipsychotic drug treatment and their results would be compared with 30 men who received standard antipsychotic drug treatment plus a placebo tablet identical in appearance to estrogen. For 14 days, this low dose of estrogen is very safe. Potentially estrogen may be a useful addition to the current standard treatment of schizophrenia. It may decrease the duration of acute illness and in women it may have a role in preventing relapses of schizophrenia as well as improving the general health of women with schizophrenia.Read moreRead less
MatesMonitor: Evaluating Suicide Prevention In The Construction Industry
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$628,742.00
Summary
We will evaluate a smart-phone based suicide prevention program for the construction industry called MatesMonitor. This will complement face-to-face training provided by an industry-wide suicide prevention program. MatesMonitor will provide education and awareness about suicide prevention and additional social support through regular contacts with participants. We anticipate MatesMonitor will result in improved suicide prevention literacy, and reduced suicide ideation and self harm.
Transition to adulthood: the wellbeing of young women and men in Australia. How do young Australians make the transition from adolescence to adulthood in the 21st century, and is it different for women and men? This project seeks to understand the life transitions, plans, and emotional wellbeing of young Australians, providing evidence to underlie policy that supports the wellbeing of all emerging adults.
Talking The Walk: A Longitudinal Study Of Refugee Mens Health And Resettlement
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$440,450.00
Summary
Refugee men are commonly portrayed in negative contexts: domestic violence, unemployment, alcohol abuse. This study will follow up 242 adult refugee men to investigate their physical and mental health, and the social and cultural issues they face as they negotiate their settlement in a new country. The study will identify ways in which refugee men can best be assisted to ensure they are healthier, settle successfully, and develop their full potential as active members of the Australian community
The Role Of Trauma Related Anger And The Cycles Of Violence In Post Conflict Countries: A Follow Up Study In Timor Leste
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,618.00
Summary
Our 2004 East Timor study showed that men who suffered abuses remain angry. We will follow-up these men to see if those who remained angry were more likely to be involved in social unrest and violence. We will also find out what factors make angry men more likely to act violently. This study will provide information to help agencies assist men overcome anger to avoid future violence.
Sirtuins And The Molecular Epidemiology Of Frailty In Older Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,246.00
Summary
People in Australia are living longer and longer and yet little is known about the underlying biology of the ageing process. This project will investigate the role of a number of molecular and cellular factors in the aetiology of frailty in a group of more than 1400 older men who are already participating in the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project. A particular focus of the project are sirtiuns, a group of enzymes recently found to be associated with longer life in several animal models.
Identifying The Social, Personal And Health Needs Of Men Living With Hepatitis C.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$215,906.00
Summary
This study will identify the health and social support needs of men who are infected with hepatitis C and will complement a similar study currently being conducted with women. At present, there is little information about the ways that hepatitis C impacts on the lives of men and research on the impact of related diseases (HIV-AIDS) strongly suggests that hepatitis C is likely to affect men in different ways to women, both economically, personally and physically. This is further complicated by th ....This study will identify the health and social support needs of men who are infected with hepatitis C and will complement a similar study currently being conducted with women. At present, there is little information about the ways that hepatitis C impacts on the lives of men and research on the impact of related diseases (HIV-AIDS) strongly suggests that hepatitis C is likely to affect men in different ways to women, both economically, personally and physically. This is further complicated by the fact that the majority of infected men have a history of injecting drug use, which coupled with the stigma often attached to chronic diseases such as hepatitis C, negatively impacts on men's lives. Of specific concerns are issues around employment, access to appropriate health care and social support. Six hundred men from Melbourne and regional Victoria will be surveyed. We will ask them questions about the social and personal impact of HCV on relationships with partners, the availability and accessibillity of appropriate treatment, care and support services and other ways that living with hepatitis C has affected their lives. The findings of this study will be used to help policy makers and service providers make decisions about education, support and care services so that they best suit the needs of men who have hepatitis C.Read moreRead less
Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Video-delivered Intervention For The Early Detection Of Melanoma In Men 50+ Years
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,694.00
Summary
Unfortunately, men over 50 years are most at risk to die from melanoma. Skin self-examination, where a man inspects the skin of his whole body with the help of a mirror or another person, and rapid presentation to a doctor without delay if he detects a suspicious lesion has the potential to increase awareness for the skin and to improve early diagnosis. We want to assess if we can increase the rate of skin self-examination in men 50 years and over through a video-delivered intervention.
Talking The Walk And Walking The Talk: A Descriptive Follow-up Study Of Refugee Mens Health, Wellbeing And Resettlement.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$280,693.00
Summary
Although a significant proportion of refugees resettled in Australia are men, the health needs of male refugees remain largely unknown. This descriptive follow-up study aims to examine in depth, the health, well-being and resettlement experiences of 233 adult Sudanese and Iraqi refugee men living in the Melbourne metropolitan area. Participants will be followed-up four times per year for three years using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The study will produce eviden ....Although a significant proportion of refugees resettled in Australia are men, the health needs of male refugees remain largely unknown. This descriptive follow-up study aims to examine in depth, the health, well-being and resettlement experiences of 233 adult Sudanese and Iraqi refugee men living in the Melbourne metropolitan area. Participants will be followed-up four times per year for three years using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The study will produce evidence based knowledge of those aspects of health and wellbeing that are important for refugee men, and the identification of elements-resources that support refugee men during resettlement.Read moreRead less