Characterising Neurobiological Abnormalities In Cannabis Use Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$731,571.00
Summary
Severe Cannabis Use Disorders cause significant harms to quality of life and outcomes including mental health, cognition, motivation and general well being. We will characterise, for the first time, the neuroadaptations associated with cannabis dependence relative to regular use via advanced imaging techniques and examine links between neural alterations and quality of life. This study will help to identify new treatment targets and develop a new neural model of cannabis addiction.
Early Identification Of Degenerative Dementia Syndromes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
With the continuing ageing of the population, an increasing number of adults will experience signs of dementia. Knowledge of the clinical presentation, disease mechanisms and evolution of frontotemporal dementia, a syndrome as common as Alzheimer’s disease in the < 65 year-old group, remains suboptimal. This research project will combine clinical investigations and brain imaging to improve diagnostic accuracy of this disease. This will lead to better treatment and management interventions.
Challenging Behaviours In Dementia: Mechanisms, Assessment And Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
This research program focuses on the behavioural symptoms of dementia. These symptoms are common, and can range from reduced motivation and empathy to overeating, gambling and socially-inappropriate or repetitive behaviour. Notably, these behaviours are challenging for carers and families to cope with, and often lead to patients being placed into aged care facilities. My research aims to understand why these symptoms develop and how we can manage these behaviours effectively.
Reconceptualising Neurophysiological Biomarkers Of Schizophrenia: An Investigation Of The MMN/P3a Complex In Early Psychotic Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$46,733.00
Summary
I am measuring a brain response to subtle changes in the environment called �mismatch negativity�. MMN indexes fundamental sensory processes that help the brain focus on certain information and ignore other information. MMN is consistently impaired in patients with Schizophrenia and is thought to be a biomarker of this illness. I am assessing MMN in the very early stages of psychosis to determine its specificity and whether it predicts illness trajectory.
Ageing And Dementia In Aboriginal Australians: Promoting Vitality, Identifying Decline And Supporting Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,411.00
Summary
Dementia is a growing concern and burden on communities for Aboriginal Australians. This fellowship will develop effective, culturally appropriate, and accessible strategies to promote healthy brain ageing and prevent dementia in Aboriginal communities. It will also investigate better ways to assess memory and thinking in this population, in order to identify changes as early as possible for enhanced dementia research and treatment prospects.
Brain Plaques And Cognitive Decline In The Elderly - A Study Of Human Twins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
One hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a build up of plaques in the brain, starting years before symptoms are observed. We will use PiB-PET brain scans to determine the degree of plaque build-up in pairs of twins at risk of developing AD, and calculate the heritability of these plaques. We will also be able to calculate (potentially modifiable) environmental factors that may be contributing to the relationship between plaques and memory and thinking.
A Convergent Approach To Define The Behavioural And Pathophysiological Signatures Of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,889.00
Summary
Most people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) will experience neuropsychiatric symptoms. Currently, these complex symptoms are poorly understood and treatment options are limited. My project will use psychological tests, neuroimaging and pharmacological investigations, to identify the specific brain changes leading to neuropsychiatric symptoms. My goal is to advance our understanding of what causes these symptoms, so that we can develop effective treatments and improve quality of life in PD.
High-resolution Brain Imaging Of Cerebellar Non-motor Functions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$336,012.00
Summary
This project will develop and apply cutting-edge methods for high resolution, high-field (7 Tesla) functional brain imaging to assess non-motor functions within the cerebellum in the living human brain. This is crucial for understanding and later assessing changes in cerebellar networks and effects of treatment and rehabilitation strategies in a range of cerebellar disorders.