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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.
The Genetics Of Cognitive Deficits In Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$675,512.00
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common psychiatric disorder of childhood that is marked by age-inappropriate levels of inattention and-or hyperactivity-impulsivity. The disorder appears genetic with a number of different genes likely contributing risk for ADHD. This project takes an innovative approach by asking whether there are different genetic profiles associated with children with ADHD who do or do not have neurocognitive deficits.
Determining The Cognitive Sequelae Of Adolescent Cannabis Use: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$259,731.00
Summary
Adult cannabis users have problems with memory and attention, but it is not known to what extent these cognitive deficits relate to premorbid intellectual functioning or underlying personality features. Further, it is not known to what extent cannabis use during adolescence (when the brain is still developing), may lead to greater cognitive impairment. This study will directly address these questions utilising a large sample of adolescents followed since entry to high school.
A Study Addressing Motor, Cognitive And Attentional Deficits In Presymptomatic Gene Carriers For Huntington's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,330.00
Summary
Since the discovery of the Huntington's disease (HD) gene mutation there has been much controversy in the literature relating to whether there are any preclinical deficits in individuals who are gene positive for HD but who have not yet been clinically diagnosed with the disease. Our aim is to examine, over a three year period, the cognitive, attentional and motor performance of presymptomatic gene-positive, and negative, individuals on a wide variety of computerized experimental procedures, whi ....Since the discovery of the Huntington's disease (HD) gene mutation there has been much controversy in the literature relating to whether there are any preclinical deficits in individuals who are gene positive for HD but who have not yet been clinically diagnosed with the disease. Our aim is to examine, over a three year period, the cognitive, attentional and motor performance of presymptomatic gene-positive, and negative, individuals on a wide variety of computerized experimental procedures, which we have previously shown to be sensitive to deficits in individuals who have already been diagnosed with HD. If progressive behavioural changes in gene-positive individuals can be reliably documented to occur before the clinical symptoms of HD are evident, this would be of profound significance as it would allow a set of criteria to be established to assist in early detection of clinical onset of symptoms, and possibly permit use of newly-emerging therapies.Read moreRead less
Neurocognitive Studies Of Brain Plasticity Associated With Surgical Treatment Of Arteriovenous Malformations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$701,922.00
Summary
We will use state-of-the-art brain imaging methods to test whether specific brain areas which have been chronically starved of adequate blood supply can regenerate, informing debate about limits on brain plasticity. Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are longstanding defects which can cause thinking skills to 'migrate' to other brain regions in childhood without noticeable impact. Surgical correction allows a test of what happens to the previously inactive area: Does the area 'start to think'?
Selective Attention And The Processing Of Observed Actions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$343,812.00
Summary
Our ability to understand the hand and face gestures of others is a crucial part of social interaction. Deficits in the ability to perceive others' actions are associated with clinical disorders such as autism and apraxia. We will examine how specific regions of the brain operate to process and recognise actions that we observe. This is a crucial first-step toward understanding and redefining clinical disorders such as apraxia that involve deficits in the perception of actions and gestures.
An Event Related Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Study Of Cognitive Deficits In Huntington's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$257,550.00
Summary
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive disorder clinically characterized by the onset of involuntary jerky movements, impaired voluntary movements, cognitive-attentional deterioration, and psychiatric symptoms. It is a consequence of progressive and selective brain degeneration. Over the last decade our research unit has made significant progress in describing the cognitive deficits in HD; however, we still don't know much about the parts of the brain that underlie these deficits. The aim of ....Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive disorder clinically characterized by the onset of involuntary jerky movements, impaired voluntary movements, cognitive-attentional deterioration, and psychiatric symptoms. It is a consequence of progressive and selective brain degeneration. Over the last decade our research unit has made significant progress in describing the cognitive deficits in HD; however, we still don't know much about the parts of the brain that underlie these deficits. The aim of this project is to use event related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to correlate structural and functional changes in the brain via the use of various cognitive behavioural measures. In this way we can elucidate what brain areas are responsible for various cognitive functions. In addition, we intend to ascertain how different brain areas decrement in function over time and to determine whether there is a relationship between rate of disease progression, age at onset and certain genetic characteristics. Understanding how the brain functions and how the disease progresses over time will be essential, from the point of view of patient management, when new drug treatments eventually permit prevention of the development, or slows further progress, of the disorder.Read moreRead less
Understanding Cognitive Decline In Aging Individuals With Chronic HIV Infection: A Longitudinal Crossdisciplinary Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$364,992.00
Summary
People with HIV infection treated with combined antiretroviral drugs are living longer. Some persons are reaching an age where Alzheimer's Disease (AD) starts to become significant. In addition, emerging results show an increasing link between brain pathology in HIV and in AD. Using a cross-disciplinary approach, our study is designed to understand if HIV infection predisposes to AD.