The Prevention, Early Detection, & Effective Management Of Neurocognitive Disorders In The Elderly
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,929,014.00
Summary
The unprecedented greying of the world population is posing a major challenge to health care in meeting the needs of older individuals with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer�s disease. At the same time, drugs are being developed to prevent these disorders, or to treat them effectively. Our proposal is a comprehensive attempt at dealing with the neuropsychiatric aspects of these neurocognitive disorders. Our group is endeavouring to better define the early stages of these disorders, and study ....The unprecedented greying of the world population is posing a major challenge to health care in meeting the needs of older individuals with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer�s disease. At the same time, drugs are being developed to prevent these disorders, or to treat them effectively. Our proposal is a comprehensive attempt at dealing with the neuropsychiatric aspects of these neurocognitive disorders. Our group is endeavouring to better define the early stages of these disorders, and studying methods of detecting them at an early stage, using the latest neuropsychological and neuroimaging techniques. We wish to investigate new drugs for the prevention of dementia. Much of dementia is not treated early because of lack of training of primary care physicians in identifying dementia, and we are developing methods to deal with this problem. We are also examining the role of cognitive disorders in accidents and suicides in the elderly, and the development of depression. We are determining the role of psychiatric disorders in the care of these patients, and the methods of alleviating the burden of disease. We expect that this research will make a major impact on health policy for these disorders in Australia. We also hope to make our Program the premier centre for training in geriatric neuropsychiatry.Read moreRead less
Prevention, Early Detection And Effective Management Of Neurocognitive Disorders In The Elderly
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,547,975.00
Summary
The Program comprises a number of longitudinal studies of ageing individuals to develop methods of diagnosing dementia before symptoms become prominent. We are also examining factors that increase the risk of developing dementia. We wish to translate this research into early and better diagnosis, and the development of new treatments and strategies for dementia care. We expect that this research will make a major impact on health policy in Australia for cognitive disorders in the elderly.
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
Identifying Determinants Of Both The Origins And The Progression Of The Depressive And Bipolar (mood) Disorders.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,235,352.00
Summary
Currently, mood disorders are classified by severity, largely ignoring causes and leading to limited treatments. The Team will clarify how differing depressive and bipolar (mood) disorders are best modelled and pursue their differing causes, so assisting identification of specific treatments relating to their underlying causes. Our studies employ a range of sophisticated technologies, including molecular biology, brain imaging techniques, and mathematical modeling. The capacity of such research ....Currently, mood disorders are classified by severity, largely ignoring causes and leading to limited treatments. The Team will clarify how differing depressive and bipolar (mood) disorders are best modelled and pursue their differing causes, so assisting identification of specific treatments relating to their underlying causes. Our studies employ a range of sophisticated technologies, including molecular biology, brain imaging techniques, and mathematical modeling. The capacity of such research to advance the management of mood disorders address a pressing clinical need.Read moreRead less
Neourobiology Of Human Epilepsy: Genes, Cellular Mechanisms,network And Whole Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$17,652,824.00
Summary
The team is comprised of neurologists, molecular geneticists, physiologists and brain imaging specialists and leads the world in the discovery of the genetic causes of epilepsy. They will continue to identify genes underlying epilepsy and study how genetic variations result in development of seizures. Advanced brain imaging will be used to understand the effects of genetic variation on brain structure and function. This study may lead to new diagnostic methods and treatments for epilepsy.
Infertility affects one in six couples and is an extremely distressing, expensive and frustrating experience for those that it afflicts. Through gaining a better understanding of the molecular and cellular processes governing ovulation and early embryo development, this team will devise new therapeutic strategies to improve the reproductive health of Australian women.
Emerging Mental Disorders In Young People: Using Clinical Staging For Prediction, Prevention And Early Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,598,601.00
Summary
Mental disorders are a major cause of disability in Australia, especially for young people. We have developed a clinical staging model covering the earliest symptoms through persistent disorder to chronic disability. We are investigating neurobiological, personal and social factors which increase the risk of progression through these stages, and novel treatment strategies which may prevent or delay onset and relapse, reduce the impact of illness, and promote recovery. Major public health benefit ....Mental disorders are a major cause of disability in Australia, especially for young people. We have developed a clinical staging model covering the earliest symptoms through persistent disorder to chronic disability. We are investigating neurobiological, personal and social factors which increase the risk of progression through these stages, and novel treatment strategies which may prevent or delay onset and relapse, reduce the impact of illness, and promote recovery. Major public health benefits and better understanding of the onset and progression of illness will result.Read moreRead less
Determinants Of Child Health And Development: Populations, Partnerships, Pathways And Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$8,214,333.00
Summary
There are considerable challenges to the study of complex health and developmental problems in children and young people. Despite increasing prosperity in Australia, many of these problems are not abating and some appear to be increasing. These include low birthweight, behavioural and mental health problems, autism, obesity and, in Indigenous children, infections. This Program proposes investigating these problems with a view to prevention, thus meeting the national research priority of Promotin ....There are considerable challenges to the study of complex health and developmental problems in children and young people. Despite increasing prosperity in Australia, many of these problems are not abating and some appear to be increasing. These include low birthweight, behavioural and mental health problems, autism, obesity and, in Indigenous children, infections. This Program proposes investigating these problems with a view to prevention, thus meeting the national research priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health, particularly _a healthy start to life� and _preventive health care�. The Program is unique in that it brings together a multi-disciplinary team of researchers of international repute to investigate these complex issues. The research team comprises epidemiologists, clinicians, developmental psychologists, biostatisticians, sociologists and other social scientists. This team has a proven track record in producing research outcomes that have translated into innovative health policy and practice in areas as diverse as: - the use of folic acid in spina bifida prevention - understanding cerebral palsies - suicide prevention and mental health in children and young people - Aboriginal child health and development - intellectual disabilities including Rett syndrome and autism - in vitro fertilisation and birth defects. The factors influencing how children develop into young adults include genetic inheritance, nutrition and growth, and family, socioeconomic and environmental conditions. This work demands new ways of measuring and analysing these factors in populations of children and their families. Western Australia is one of only three sites in the world to have comprehensive linked health data on the whole of its population of children and their families. This Program comprises five overlapping themes of research planned around these unique population databases. The five themes are: - social, economic and psychological influences on child health and development - many paths to poor health are linked to social disadvantage. Examining these issues may explain why some childhood conditions are worsening or not improving - pathways to wellbeing, resilience and developmental disorders, including intellectual disability, autism, birth defects and cerebral palsy - nutrition and growth, particularly as it relates to low birthweight, childhood obesity and mental health - infectious disease, its causes and its influence on lifelong health problems and disabilities - Aboriginal health _ whilst spanning each of the research themes above, it presents its own unique challenges and requires it�s own unique solutions. This Program will investigate how children develop into young adults and will examine the influence of their families, nutrition and growth and socioeconomic and environmental conditions. It will develop new ways of measuring and analysRead moreRead less
Molecular Markers Of Phenotype, Therapeutic Responsiveness And Prognosis In Human Cancers.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$11,762,117.00
Summary
This proposal aims to identify molecular markers that can be used to classify subtypes of particular cancers according to their prognosis and response to therapy. This will optimise selection of patients for the most appropriate treatment and lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies.
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