Social media, weather forecasting and mineral exploration are driven by Big Data enabled by new technologies. Likewise, disease prevention, diagnosis and prediction is moving towards personalised and precision medicine, facilitated by novel genomics technologies. This Program of research will develop analysis methods and tools and apply them to clinical genomics data in neurological and psychiatric disorders, thereby paving the way for the translation of genomic tools to common diseases.
A Prospective Study Of The Psychiatric & Medical Characteristics Of Post-infective Fatigue & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
This project forms the central component of a larger set of studies which investigate competing psychiatric, immunological and infective models of the causes of a number of chronic fatigue syndromes, including post-infective fatigue. The study takes place in western NSW where certain viral illnesses (Glandular Fever, Ross River Virus) and a non-viral infection (QF) are common and have been associated with prolonged fatigue states. The study follows patients from laboratory-documented infections ....This project forms the central component of a larger set of studies which investigate competing psychiatric, immunological and infective models of the causes of a number of chronic fatigue syndromes, including post-infective fatigue. The study takes place in western NSW where certain viral illnesses (Glandular Fever, Ross River Virus) and a non-viral infection (QF) are common and have been associated with prolonged fatigue states. The study follows patients from laboratory-documented infections with appropriate infective, immunological and psychological measures throughout the course of their acute illness, the early recovery period and for the next 12 months. These patients are compared with people who present to their doctor with other forms of medically-unexplained fatigue. Very few previous studies have used an appropriate prospective design and followed patients with documented illness from the onset through to the development of specific forms of chronic fatigue. Further, the study is unique in terms of the range of viral and non-viral agents being investigated. It relies on the combined psychiatric, immunological and infective disease expertise of a group of researchers with an international reputation for the successful completion of such multidisciplinary projects. The initial phase of the study has demonstrated that the research team has the capacity to complete this project. Initial results have already demonstrated the potential roles of psychological and immunological factors in causing some cases of prolonged fatigue. Further, the initial results indicate that two key symptom sets (fatigue, psychological distress) can be adequately measured during the recovery phase and are predicted by differing psychological factors. The study will result in the identification of different psychiatric risk factors to chronic fatigue, assist development of clear diagnostic guidelines for post-infective fatigue and guide relevant aetiological and treatment research.Read moreRead less
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
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.
Childhood Cognitive Antecedents Of Adult Psychopathology: Follow-up Of The Port Pirie Lead Cohort Into Adulthood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$587,263.00
Summary
The role of childhood factors in the development of adult psychiatric disorder is an important public health concern. Indvividuals identified before birth and followed across the life course offer the most powerful means of establishing predictors for particular types of psychiatric disorder. Not only do these studies enable researchers to more clearly determine the exact age of onset of disorder but they also give us insight into the background and hence possible risk factors that may have lead ....The role of childhood factors in the development of adult psychiatric disorder is an important public health concern. Indvividuals identified before birth and followed across the life course offer the most powerful means of establishing predictors for particular types of psychiatric disorder. Not only do these studies enable researchers to more clearly determine the exact age of onset of disorder but they also give us insight into the background and hence possible risk factors that may have lead to the development of that disorder. Early identification of disorder can significantly reduce public health cost and reduce the burden on the community by enabling individuals to get help before their symptoms become too severe and unmanageable. Few long-term studies have investigated the combined role of pre-natal, developmental, parental characteristics, biological and childhood cognitive risk factors in the development of adult psychiatric dysfunction. Even fewer studies have examinined this interrelationship in a group of individuals who have been exposed to an environmental toxin such as lead. This study will follow-up 723 adults from the lead smelting city of Port Pirie who were originally recruited between 1979 and 1982. All adults were exposed to lead to some degree in childhood and have been followed over various time points over the course their lives. This project will be conducted 27 years since they were first involved, and will hence be one of the longest studies to be conducted in this field. The extensive information already collected on this group of individuals will enable us to create a very comprehensive picture of risk and protective factors for various types of adult disorder.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.
A Prospective Cohort Study Of Mortality, Abstinence, Criminality And Psychiatric Comorbidity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,500.00
Summary
Over 70 000 Australians are dependent on heroin. Heroin dependence is remarkably persistent and is, in many cases, a lifelong condition. Long term treatment outcome and abstinence from heroin among this group are poor. Mortality among heroin users is high, with heroin users dying at a rate 13 times that of peers. Despite the extent of the problem, the natural history of heroin users has not yet been studied in Australia. The current study will be the first Australian study of the natural history ....Over 70 000 Australians are dependent on heroin. Heroin dependence is remarkably persistent and is, in many cases, a lifelong condition. Long term treatment outcome and abstinence from heroin among this group are poor. Mortality among heroin users is high, with heroin users dying at a rate 13 times that of peers. Despite the extent of the problem, the natural history of heroin users has not yet been studied in Australia. The current study will be the first Australian study of the natural history of heroin users. The study will follow up a large cohort of heroin users over a three year period. Estimates will be obtained of mortality rates, abstinence rates, criminal careers, and psychiatric problems among heroin users. It will also examine factors that predict abstinence, mortality, criminality and levels of psychopathology, and determine the health costs associated with heroin use careers. The study will provide essential data on how heroin use progresses, and on what factors predict a better outcome for heroin users.Read moreRead less
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.