How well people perform in everyday situations is often determined by memory function. When required to perform under stress memory performance is often affected. The effect of a psychological stress test on memory function in healthy volunteers and the ability of a dietary supplement, tyrosine, to prevent the effects will be studied. The data may suggest that depletion amino acids is responsible for the decrements in performance that are evident after an acute stressor.
Dopamine Mechanisms Conferring Resilience To Depression: A New Antidepressant Target
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,948.00
Summary
A significant proportion of people who suffer depression fail to obtain effective relief from either drugs or psychotherapy. Accordingly, there is a pressing need to develop new, and more effective, treatments. This project will determine whether certain specific brain pathways that use the transmitter dopamine can be manipulated in their activity so as to increase resilience to depression. This work has potential to provide the foundation for the development a new generation of antidepressants.
Acute Stress Disorder And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Injured Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$125,000.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to develop the means to identify acute reactions to trauma that will predict chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children after a traumatic injury. This project will conduct the first prospective analysis of acute stress disorder and chronic traumatic stress symptoms in children, develop diagnostic guidelines to identify acutely traumatized children who are at risk of PTSD, and identify biological, cognitive, and familial factors that mediate PTSD developme ....The aim of this project is to develop the means to identify acute reactions to trauma that will predict chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children after a traumatic injury. This project will conduct the first prospective analysis of acute stress disorder and chronic traumatic stress symptoms in children, develop diagnostic guidelines to identify acutely traumatized children who are at risk of PTSD, and identify biological, cognitive, and familial factors that mediate PTSD development following trauma. Two hundred children (aged 7 - 12 years) who are admitted to hospital following a traumatic injury will be assessed for acute disorder within one month of the accident. They will be also be assessed for heart rate, blood pressure, memory patterns, and family responses during the initial assesment. Parents will also be assessed for their trauma reactions. All participants will be re-assessed at 6-months posttrauma, and again at 18-months posttrauma. These findings will establish the means to identify acutely traumatized children who are at risk of PTSD and open up opportunities for early intervention and prevention of PTSD.Read moreRead less
Panic Disorder: Neurobiology And Mechanisms Of Cardiac Risks
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,375.00
Summary
Some people are subject to episodes of recurring, often inexplicable anxiety which are very unpleasant and accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, palpitations, tremor and a sensation of suffocation. Recurring attacks over a period of months, or years, forms the basis for the diagnosis of panic disorder. It has until recently been felt that although panic disorder was distressing and disabling, it did not constitute a risk to life. Sufferers often fear that they have heart disease, be ....Some people are subject to episodes of recurring, often inexplicable anxiety which are very unpleasant and accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, palpitations, tremor and a sensation of suffocation. Recurring attacks over a period of months, or years, forms the basis for the diagnosis of panic disorder. It has until recently been felt that although panic disorder was distressing and disabling, it did not constitute a risk to life. Sufferers often fear that they have heart disease, because of the nature of their symptoms, but have been reassured that this is not the case. Recent epidemiological studies, however, indicate that there is an increased risk of heart risk in patients with panic disorder. Our hypotheses in this research are as follows: That panic disorder is characterised by increased release of the brain chemical messenger, serotonin, which is reversed by drug treatment with the most widely used class of drugs for this disorder, selective serotonin reuptake blockers That changes in an automatic stimulatory part of the nervous system, has primary importance in the disorder, in both genetically predisposing to panic disorder, and in mediating heart risk. That weight gain during therapy, a very common problem, is due to inhibition of brain serotonin release. We will test all these propositions using state of the art clinical scientific methods. Panic disorder has an important cardiological dimension which needs to be better understood for cardiac protection to be achieved in panic disorder patients. Our study of the mechanisms of cardiac risk should provide this. We will also provide very direct, valid measurements of chemical messenger release in the brain of panic disorder sufferers, using our unique methods. These should give a new understanding of the brain chemistry abnormalities of panic disorder, and the mechanism of action of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.Read moreRead less
A Prospective Study Of Traumatic Stress In Children Involved In Motor Vehicle Accidents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$185,889.00
Summary
Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are relatively frequent major life trauma that represent significant life threatening experiences. Not surprisingly evidence suggests that MVAs represent a frequent trigger for the development of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), although studies have typically focussed upon adult survivors. Local statistics indicate a significant proportion of children will experience a MVA of sufficient severity to warrant attendance at hospital. This project is of significa ....Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are relatively frequent major life trauma that represent significant life threatening experiences. Not surprisingly evidence suggests that MVAs represent a frequent trigger for the development of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), although studies have typically focussed upon adult survivors. Local statistics indicate a significant proportion of children will experience a MVA of sufficient severity to warrant attendance at hospital. This project is of significance because it will provide badly needed information about the prevalence and course of emotional and behavioural problems in children following exposure to a serious MVA. More broadly the study should provide valuable information on post-traumatic stress responses in children. Furthermore, it will enable us to identify the factors that place children at particular risk of developing psychological problems following a MVA. This will provide information to help design of interventions to prevent the development of PTSD and other forms of psychopathology following MVAs. Such data will also permit identification of those children who are at particular risk of psychological morbidity after MVA trauma and for whom preventive interventions are most likely to be beneficial.Read moreRead less
Enhancing Treatment Effectiveness In Acute Stress Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$235,330.00
Summary
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common psychiatric condition to develop after trauma. Early intervention of PTSD following a trauma is indicated because chronic PTSD can be resistant to treatment. Early intervention is possible because acute stress disorder immediately after a trauma identifies those people who will develop chronic PTSD. Although cognitive behaviour therapy of acute stress disorder can effectively prevent PTSD in many cases, many people do not benefit from this ....Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common psychiatric condition to develop after trauma. Early intervention of PTSD following a trauma is indicated because chronic PTSD can be resistant to treatment. Early intervention is possible because acute stress disorder immediately after a trauma identifies those people who will develop chronic PTSD. Although cognitive behaviour therapy of acute stress disorder can effectively prevent PTSD in many cases, many people do not benefit from this treatment because this treatment involves exposure to distressing memories and emotions, and this contributes to many people dropping out of treatment. This project aims to extend the utility of early intervention following trauma by assessing approaches that can be used by most trauma survivors. The project compares early intervention with either exposure, cognitive therapy, combined exposure and cognitive therapy, or supportive counseling. All therapy will be conducted in the initial four weeks and will comprise 6 sessions. Assessments will be conducted posttreatment, six-months follow-up, and one-year follow-up. The outcomes of this project will have significant public health benefits because they will lead to increased treatment effectiveness for acutely traumatized people, and will markedly reduce the incidence of PTSD in the community.Read moreRead less