Controlling Intrusive Images In Psychopathologies: Disarming Symptoms And Enhancing Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$285,085.00
Summary
This proposal will conduct the first pre-clinical study disarming symptoms and enhancing treatment of many psychopathologies by controlling the strength of mental imagery. This study represents the first attempt to alleviate symptoms by developing a cognitive-neuroscience vaccine to control the strength of traumatic imagery and to show a causative means of enhancing imagery strength to boost the success rate of cognitive therapy involving imagery.
A New Target For Antidepressant Treatment: Microglia Mediated Neuroinflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,601.00
Summary
Depression is the leading cause of non-fatal disease burden in Australia. Unfortunately, current antidepressants do not provide adequate levels of relief and it is accepted that we need to develop more effective treatments. We have recently shown that a drug that reduces inflammation in the brain also reduces depression-like symptoms. This project aims to extend upon these extremely promising findings, in the hope of developing a new and more effective generation of antidepressants.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a common and frequently undiagnosed neurological disease due to thiamine deficiency. The condition leads to cognitive and neurological disability and mostly affects people with alcohol dependence. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is eminently treatable with thiamine, although we have insufficient knowledge regarding the best dose of thiamine to treat the condition. This project proposes two controlled trials to evaluate treatment effectiveness of thiamine for Wernicke-K ....Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a common and frequently undiagnosed neurological disease due to thiamine deficiency. The condition leads to cognitive and neurological disability and mostly affects people with alcohol dependence. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is eminently treatable with thiamine, although we have insufficient knowledge regarding the best dose of thiamine to treat the condition. This project proposes two controlled trials to evaluate treatment effectiveness of thiamine for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.Read moreRead less
A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Three Treatments For Anorexia Nervosa In Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$606,447.00
Summary
This study will be the first to evaluate three promising new treatments for anorexia nervosa (AN) and anorexic type eating disorders in adults. The first treatment is a new therapy called Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. The second treatment, the Maudsley Cognitive Motivational Therapy, was designed specifically to treat AN and the third treatment is called non-specific supportive clinical management. The study will be in the form of a multi-centre randomised treatment trial.
Reduction Of The Cardiovascular Response Of Psychological Stress Through Blockade Of Orexin’s Action On One Of Its Receptors.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,925.00
Summary
Anxiety, fear of challenges, frustration are part of modern life stressors. Our body reacts to these stressors by increasing blood pressure and heart rate, which in turn can harm our cardiovascular system and precipitate cardiovascular accidents. In this project we test a new class of drugs that act on a neurochemical system implicated in these particular responses. If our hypothesis is correct, one of these drugs could be used to relax the cardiovascular system and protect it in times of stress ....Anxiety, fear of challenges, frustration are part of modern life stressors. Our body reacts to these stressors by increasing blood pressure and heart rate, which in turn can harm our cardiovascular system and precipitate cardiovascular accidents. In this project we test a new class of drugs that act on a neurochemical system implicated in these particular responses. If our hypothesis is correct, one of these drugs could be used to relax the cardiovascular system and protect it in times of stress.Read moreRead less
A Cluster RCT Of A Novel Psychological Intervention To Reduce Depression Among At-risk Older Adults Transitioning To Residential Aged Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$893,152.00
Summary
Depression is common in aged care facilities, with many older adults finding the transition extremely difficult. We have developed a simple intervention to help new residents, including those with dementia, to adjust to life in aged care. This program focuses on key aspects of psychological wellbeing, and is designed for widespread use in aged care. We will evaluate the intervention to determine if it is superior to current care approaches in reducing depression and improving quality of life.
Quantifying The Role Of Epigenetic Factors In Neurocognitive Outcomes: A Twin Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,516,790.00
Summary
We aim to identify the environmental factors in early life that contribute towards an individual brain development using MRI brain scans and related psychological skills measured in late childhood. We are using twins to better understand differences in their early life environments independent of genetics.
Large-scale Data To Understand Person-centred Outcomes In Cancer Survivors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,163,471.00
Summary
Although the majority of people with cancer in Australia now survive long-term, little is known about long-term “person-centred outcomes” for cancer survivors - including mental health, disability, pain and quality of life. This project will use data from >70,000 cancer survivors and >190,000 people without cancer from the general population to generate new knowledge on person-centred outcomes, for different cancer types and over time, to inform and improve health and healthcare.
Improving Outcomes For People With Depression In Community Settings: A Cluster RCT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$803,554.00
Summary
Depression affects 350 million people worldwide. Given the pivotal role of primary care in the management of depression, effective strategies are needed to assist GPs in the delivery of patient-centred depression care. This study will test the effectiveness of providing GPs with education; as well as feedback about patients’ self-reported depressive scores using a standardised instrument and perceived need and preferences for help. This cluster RCT will be the first Australian trial of its kind.
Preventing Relapse Of Major Depressive Disorder In Youth: RCT Of A Novel Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Online Social Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,713,093.00
Summary
Youth depression is a serious illness that will afflict one in four young people. Despite the initial effectiveness of modern treatments, 52% to 85% of young people with depression will suffer repeated depressive episodes. The recurrence of youth depression makes it the greatest cause of disability during youth worldwide. The aim of this project is to assess the effectiveness of a novel mindfulness-based cognitive online social media intervention in preventing relapse in youth depression.