A Randomised Controlled Trial Of NMDA Antagonist, Memantine, For The Treatment Of Borderline Personality Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$993,067.00
Summary
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) affects 5.9% of Australians and is a poorly understood mental illness with no clear medication treatment. The key symptoms of BPD all stem from impaired cognitive processes. Our early data shows improvement of symptoms with memantine - a cognitive enhancing drug used in Alzheimer’s disease.We plan to conduct a clinical trial; giving either 20mg memantine or placebo to 150 people with BPD across 2 Victorian sites.
Inflammatory Cytokines As Risk Factors For The Development Of Both Depression And Osteoporosis In Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$381,091.00
Summary
Both depression and osteoporosis impose a substantial public health burden on society and there is now research to suggest that these conditions are related. This study will examine a potential common mechanism, systemic inflammation, which may underlie both diseases. It will focus on markers of systemic inflammation, examine their association to both depression and bone fragility and determine what role they play in explaining the relationship between the disorders.
Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) And Osteoporosis: Mechanisms And Clinical Consequences
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$422,964.00
Summary
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used to treat depression. Serotonin is not unique to the brain but is also used by other cells in the body, including bone cells. In this project the influence of SSRIs on human osteoclast and osteoblast formation and function will be investigated in a laboratory. Additionally, the impact of SSRI use on bone loss and fracture risk in a community sample of women and men will be investigated. These studies will determine if exposure to ....Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used to treat depression. Serotonin is not unique to the brain but is also used by other cells in the body, including bone cells. In this project the influence of SSRIs on human osteoclast and osteoblast formation and function will be investigated in a laboratory. Additionally, the impact of SSRI use on bone loss and fracture risk in a community sample of women and men will be investigated. These studies will determine if exposure to SSRIs adversely impact bone health.Read moreRead less
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
Psychiatric Disorders, Psychotropic Agents And Bone Health: From Benchtop To Bedside.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,744.00
Summary
Just under half of all people with a psychiatric disorder have a chronic physical illness. One common and neglected comorbidity is osteoporosis. Dr Williams has brought together a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and clinicians that are gathering laboratory through to clinical evidence regarding the interplay between psychiatric disorders, the medication used to treat these disorders and bone health with the aim of informing clinical practice and guiding clinical choice.
It is widely accepted that just under half of all people with bipolar disorder have a chronic physical illness. The one neglected comorbidity is osteoporosis. In this project, the association between bipolar disorder and bone fragility will be examined. Additionally, a potential common mechanism, systemic inflammation, which may underlie both diseases, will be investigated as a potential mediator of the relationship.
Towards An Etiological Understanding Of The Comorbidity Of Psychiatric Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$997,883.00
Summary
Pyschiatric disorders are common disorders with both genetic and environmental etilogy. The disorders are characterised both by significant overlap of symptoms and by significant heterogenity of symptoms within disorders. The availability of genome-wide genotypes allows us, for the first time, to investigate co-morbidity directly at the molecular level. Understanding the nature of co-morbidity between disorders nay be an important key to effective treatment.
Motor Functioning In Autism And Asperger's Disorder: Furthering Current Neurobehavioural And Clinical Definitions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,932.00
Summary
While it is well known that autism and Asperger's disorder are associated with social, communicative, and behavioural symptoms, it is less well known that affected individuals also have considerable movement and coordination difficulties. For example, these children often have problems with hand writing, walking, hopping, skipping, catching, and running. These skills are very important for success at school; for example, if children are unable to participate in school sports they often feel isol ....While it is well known that autism and Asperger's disorder are associated with social, communicative, and behavioural symptoms, it is less well known that affected individuals also have considerable movement and coordination difficulties. For example, these children often have problems with hand writing, walking, hopping, skipping, catching, and running. These skills are very important for success at school; for example, if children are unable to participate in school sports they often feel isolated and rejected from the peer group. Also, hand writing problems have a significant impact on children's academic performance. Our previous research has suggested that there may be particular patterns of motor problems that characterise individuals with autism and Asperger's disorder. Our proposed research aims to use the kinds of 3D motion analysis technology used in the movie industry to capture exactly how people affected by these conditions move and respond to the environment. This study will enable us to highlight particular parts of the brain-motor circuitry that are affected by these disorders and will also enable us to more clearly distinguish how autism is different from Asperger's disorder. Ultimately, it is hoped that our motor investigations will lead to improved assessment and interventions for these disorders.Read moreRead less
Early Intervention For Borderline Personality Disorder In Youth: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$709,932.00
Summary
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a severe mental disorder involving instability of emotions, impulse control, self-concept and interpersonal relationships. BPD arises during adolescence and has a suicide rate of 10%. This study investigates the most effective form of early intervention for BPD that improves the daily lives of individuals and reduces poor outcomes, such as deliberate self-harm. The findings will inform the dissemination of early intervention for BPD in the health system.