Improving Mental Health And Quality Of Life In Families Affected By Paediatric Cancer.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,747.00
Summary
My program aims to improve mental health and quality of life in families affected by paediatric cancer. The program covers three themes: 1) Trial of novel behavioural medicine interventions to prevent poor mental and physical health outcomes; 2) Discovery of the psychosocial impact of genetic technologies for young people affected by cancer; and 3) Evaluation of the impact of paediatric cancer on under-researched, but critical, facets of family life. My work spans the full cancer trajectory, fro ....My program aims to improve mental health and quality of life in families affected by paediatric cancer. The program covers three themes: 1) Trial of novel behavioural medicine interventions to prevent poor mental and physical health outcomes; 2) Discovery of the psychosocial impact of genetic technologies for young people affected by cancer; and 3) Evaluation of the impact of paediatric cancer on under-researched, but critical, facets of family life. My work spans the full cancer trajectory, from diagnosis to survivorship or bereavement.Read moreRead less
What Can Parents Do To Prevent Mental Health Problems In Their Teenage Children?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,905.00
Summary
Research shows that there are things parents can do to prevent depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse problems in their teenage child, but many parents do not know what specific actions they can take. Through the work of this fellowship, I propose to increase our understanding of how specific parenting behaviours can influence young people's risk of developing depression and anxiety problems. I will also translate research evidence into specific parenting strategies parents can use to protect th ....Research shows that there are things parents can do to prevent depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse problems in their teenage child, but many parents do not know what specific actions they can take. Through the work of this fellowship, I propose to increase our understanding of how specific parenting behaviours can influence young people's risk of developing depression and anxiety problems. I will also translate research evidence into specific parenting strategies parents can use to protect their child from these problems.Read moreRead less
Fighting Mental Disorders: Using Mental Imagery To Disarm Symptoms And Enhance Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
This proposal will conduct the first pre-clinical and clinical research utilising mental imagery to disarm symptoms and enhance treatment of multiple mental disorders by controlling the strength of mental imagery. This fellowship represents the first attempt to alleviate symptoms by developing a cognitive-neuroscience method 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.
Neuroimaging After Traumatic Brain Injury: What Best Relates To Outcome?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$402,287.00
Summary
Brain injury often results in physical difficulties plus cognitive and behavioural problems. Computerised tomography (CT) is the most used form of scanning used after brain injury but does not reveal as much as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Electrovestibulography (EvestG) also offers great potential to reveal brain-related information related to injury and depression. This study aims to assess and compare CT, MRI and EvestG to establish the extent to which each can help in predicting outcome ....Brain injury often results in physical difficulties plus cognitive and behavioural problems. Computerised tomography (CT) is the most used form of scanning used after brain injury but does not reveal as much as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Electrovestibulography (EvestG) also offers great potential to reveal brain-related information related to injury and depression. This study aims to assess and compare CT, MRI and EvestG to establish the extent to which each can help in predicting outcome in people who have had a brain injury.Read moreRead less
Dependent drug use is associated with a range of physical and mental health problems. However the process by which drug-related changes to the human brain influence behaviours important to remaining abstinent is poorly understood. The current proposal investigates the neural and behavioural effects of drug dependence on cognitive control - responsible for impulse control and decision making - previously implicated in drug dependence.
Psychiatric research to date has predominantly focused on understanding mental illness and ways to treat it. This research program instead aims to understand the characteristics of those people who are 'resilient' and able to bounce back from trauma and adversity and thrive. For the first time, it will establish the biological brain markers that define resilience, and the impact of genetics and environment in these pathways. This study will also validate personalised solutions to e-health cognit ....Psychiatric research to date has predominantly focused on understanding mental illness and ways to treat it. This research program instead aims to understand the characteristics of those people who are 'resilient' and able to bounce back from trauma and adversity and thrive. For the first time, it will establish the biological brain markers that define resilience, and the impact of genetics and environment in these pathways. This study will also validate personalised solutions to e-health cognitive training tools that aim to boost resilience.Read moreRead less
Restoration Of Diabetes Associated Cognitive Deficits Through The Modulation Of Cerebrovascular Integrity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,998.00
Summary
Diabetes is known to increase the risk of dementia. Although the mechanisms are currently unknown, a recently emerging body of evidence suggest that damaged blood vessels of the brain may be central to onset and progress of cognitive dysfunction. Consistently, the dysfunction of brain blood vessels is often observed in the brain of diabetes subjects. Therefore, this project will investigate whether the amelioration of disrupted brain blood vessels restores the cognitive function in diabetes.
Using Technology Towards Effective Self-management Of Fall Risk In Older Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,652.00
Summary
Our society’s population is ageing rapidly. Accidental falls are a major contributor to the burden of disease in older people and a major public health problem. In my research program, I use technology to find feasible solutions to deliver complex tailored interventions to prevent falls and support healthy ageing through self-management. My approach has potential to have major, lasting public health benefits by reducing falls and advancing healthy ageing at a low cost for the health care sector.