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.
Using Epidemiology To Inform Psychiatric Classification (DSM-V And ICD-11)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,502.00
Summary
Classification systems are vital for scientific progress. The classifications of mental disorders of the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association are both being revised and this Australian team is a principal contributor to both processes. We have access to three national epidemiological surveys (n-30,000) that will inform fundamental issues by developing models of mental disorder typology and identifying practical improvements in the classification systems.
Sleep loss and disordered sleep is now recognised as contributing to mortality, chronic disease and economic health burden. The CCRE in Interdisciplinary Sleep Health (CRISH) aims to investigate the biology of sleep, and to prevent and to treat disorders of sleep through a uniquely interdisciplinary approach. The centre will support world-class interventional research aimed to inform clinical practice and alter health policy. The next generation of sleep researchers will be fostered through nati ....Sleep loss and disordered sleep is now recognised as contributing to mortality, chronic disease and economic health burden. The CCRE in Interdisciplinary Sleep Health (CRISH) aims to investigate the biology of sleep, and to prevent and to treat disorders of sleep through a uniquely interdisciplinary approach. The centre will support world-class interventional research aimed to inform clinical practice and alter health policy. The next generation of sleep researchers will be fostered through national and international collaborations.Read moreRead less
Application Of Intelligent Conducting Polymers For Treating Schizophrenia And Allied Disorders Focusing On Neuronal Outgrowth, Myelination And Synaptogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$698,314.00
Summary
This project involves cross-disciplinary collaboration between researchers at the forefront of materials engineering, nanotechnology, neural pathology, human stem cell biology and mental health disciplines. We will use a nanodevice to apply electrical stimuli and growth factors to improve brain function in schizophrenia and allied disorders.
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND DEMENTIA IN A STROKE COHORT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,747.00
Summary
In a current NHMRC-funded study, we have examined 200 stroke patients (and 100 control subjects) at 3 months after a stroke and one year later, and identified those who have impairment in memory and other cognitive functions. We have also studied these subjects in detail from a psychiatric perspective and performed brain scans on them using magentic resonance imaging. We find that many stroke patients have problems with their cognitive functioning which has a major impact on their lives. A large ....In a current NHMRC-funded study, we have examined 200 stroke patients (and 100 control subjects) at 3 months after a stroke and one year later, and identified those who have impairment in memory and other cognitive functions. We have also studied these subjects in detail from a psychiatric perspective and performed brain scans on them using magentic resonance imaging. We find that many stroke patients have problems with their cognitive functioning which has a major impact on their lives. A large number also become depressed. These consequences of stroke are not given sufficient importance by clinicians. The fact that stroke is a common problem in the elderly, and our society is aging, makes this a problem of major public health significance. In the new proposal, we plan to study these subjects up to 3 years with repeat neuropsychiatric assessments and brain scans to investigate the natural history of stroke-related cognitive impairment. We will determine whether further new cases of dementia develop in the period 1-3 years, what happens to the brain lesions picked up on brain scans, and how these deficiencies affect the patients' living status and their longevity. We will be able to determine the factors that lead to a good outcome, and suggest strategies that may be applicable to improve the functioning of these individuals.Read moreRead less
An Extended Follow-up Of Stroke Patients For Cognitive Impairment And Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Sydney Stroke Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,800.00
Summary
Vascular Dementia (VaD) is the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. In fact, it may be a preventable cause of dementia. Yet it has been relatively neglected by researchers until the last decade, which has seen an upsurge of interest in this disorder. There is no consensus on the criteria for dementia. The profile of early cognitive impairment due to vascular factors is still poorly understood, and the longitudinal course of VaD as defined by modern criteria has not bee ....Vascular Dementia (VaD) is the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. In fact, it may be a preventable cause of dementia. Yet it has been relatively neglected by researchers until the last decade, which has seen an upsurge of interest in this disorder. There is no consensus on the criteria for dementia. The profile of early cognitive impairment due to vascular factors is still poorly understood, and the longitudinal course of VaD as defined by modern criteria has not been studied. There have been few studies of the progressive changes in MRI in patients with cerebrovascular disease. The overlap of VaD and Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains a problem for taxonomists and clinicians. One approach to the study of VaD is to examine a high risk group of subjects longitudinally to determine the early features, the risk factors and progressive changes. With this in mind, we began studying a cohort of stroke patients who are at high risk of VaD, in 1997-1999, and are following them longitudinally. The follow-up is now in its third year, and three neuropsychological assessments and two MRI-MRS scans have been performed. We propose to extend the follow-up to 5 years, with repeat neuropsychiatric, neuropsychological and MRI-MRS investigations, and wherever possible to necropsy, to determine the nature of vascular pathology that underlies cognitive impairment. Our cohort of stroke patients is arguably the most comprehensively assessed such cohorts internationally, and presents an excellent opportunity for a long-term follow-up study.Read moreRead less
Identifying New Targets For Primary School Mental Health Interventions Using Population Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$798,882.00
Summary
This project assesses the mental health and well-being of ~87,000 children aged 10 years in New South Wales, and links this information (anonymously) with data on school-based mental health interventions, and data on health, education, and welfare collected from birth. We will identify factors that promote mental health and reduce ill-health. We hope to improve child health by developing new ways to detect early vulnerability for ill-health, and by identifying new health promotion opportunities.
The biology and epidemiology of the grapevine canker fungi, Botryosphaeria sp. Decline and dieback of grapevines is becoming an increasing problem for the viticulture industry in NSW. Recently, species of the fungus Botryosphaeria, were isolated from grapevines exhibiting these symptoms. In order to understand the biology and epidemiology of the causal organisms, we aim to; (i) determine species of Botryosphaeria present in NSW vineyards; (ii) determine which species are pathogenic on grapevines ....The biology and epidemiology of the grapevine canker fungi, Botryosphaeria sp. Decline and dieback of grapevines is becoming an increasing problem for the viticulture industry in NSW. Recently, species of the fungus Botryosphaeria, were isolated from grapevines exhibiting these symptoms. In order to understand the biology and epidemiology of the causal organisms, we aim to; (i) determine species of Botryosphaeria present in NSW vineyards; (ii) determine which species are pathogenic on grapevines; (iii) characterise the genetic diversity of strains and; (iv) screen fungicides for the control of these fungi. Information on the species, their biology and pathogenicity on grapevines, will enable the development of appropriate management strategies for its control and may lead to the development of molecular tools to identify species of Botryosphaeria.Read moreRead less