Nutritional Psychiatry: Extending The Evidence And Ensuring Translation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,238,220.00
Summary
While poor diet is the leading contributor to illness and premature death globally, mental disorders account for the leading cause of disability. I have led the field internationally in establishing, for the first time, that diet quality and mental health are linked and have established a new field of research and clinical practice ‘Nutritional Psychiatry’. My program of research will now extend the evidence base and facilitate translation of this new knowledge into policy and practice.
I am a psychologist and epidemiologist working in the field of suicide prevention. I am proposing a program of work that will systematically evaluate a range of suicide prevention initiatives for particular at-risk groups using novel evaluation methodolog
Molecular And Cellular Characterisation Of Schizophrenia Associated Dysfunction In MicroRNA Biogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,205.00
Summary
We have identified substantial changes in the biogenesis of microRNA in schizophrenia. These small non-coding molecules derived from junk DNA, play a significant role in genetic regulation, with each one capable of silencing hundreds of target genes. This has major implications for schizophrenia, which is known to involve substantial changes in gene activity. The project will identify the molecular basis of this alteration in gene silencing, and its biological implications for schizophrenia.
Selective Modulation Of Neural Network Activity Using Focal Brain Stimulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,496.00
Summary
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been touted as a viable treatment for a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders. However, the extent to which localised TMS influences widespread brain networks remains unknown. To fill this gap, we will combine neuroimaging and TMS in healthy adults. The project will provide a scientific foundation for the use of brain stimulation as an effective tool for improving function in a range of clinical conditions.
Risk Factors For Compliance With Command Hallucinations In Psychotic Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,290.00
Summary
There is widespread public concern about the danger individuals with schizophrenia or related disorders pose to themselves and to the community. Whilst a number of violence risk factors such as being male, exhibiting hostility, and having a prior history of violence are well established, they are of limited use to clinicians in making management decisions. Our study will investigate a different approach to identify individuals and occasions when a sufferer might require more intensive care or ob ....There is widespread public concern about the danger individuals with schizophrenia or related disorders pose to themselves and to the community. Whilst a number of violence risk factors such as being male, exhibiting hostility, and having a prior history of violence are well established, they are of limited use to clinicians in making management decisions. Our study will investigate a different approach to identify individuals and occasions when a sufferer might require more intensive care or observation. Most individuals with schizophrenia experience auditory hallucinations. Amongst these hallucinations, voices that command the individual to undertake a particular action are common; many of these involve significant potential harm to the hallucinator or to other persons. We will attempt to identify those factors that are associated with an individual obeying command hallucinations. Variables to be examined include the characteristics of the hallucinated voices, and the beliefs of the subject about the power of the voices. Subjects will be interviewed to find out whether they have delusions that are consistent with their hallucinations, whether they suffer from Antisocial Personality Disorder, or are dependent on alcohol or drugs. We will also determine whether subjects who report being raised by authoritarian parents, who are dependent on the approval of others, or who see external factors as determining the occurrence of major events in their lives, are more likely to act on their hallucinations. Two groups of 100 patients will be studied. One group will be representative of people living in the community with schizophrenia. The other group will be people with schizophrenia who have been treated by the State Forensic Psychiatric Services. Statistical models will be developed in order to determine the accuracy with which compliance with command hallucinations can be predicted. These models with also reveal which risk factors are the most important.Read moreRead less