An Impirical Investigation Of Psychosis Proneness In Amphetamine Users: Current And Predictive Validity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,750.00
Summary
The use of amphetamines has increased in Australia in the last decade. According to the 1998 National Household Survey, lifetime use of amphetamines has increased by over 50% from approximately 6% in 1995 to approximately 9% in 1998; recent use (last 12 months) has increased from 2% in 1995 to approximately 4% in 1998. This increase appears to be even greater in Queensland, the site of the proposed study, which has seen both an overall increase in the use of illicit drugs and an increase in the ....The use of amphetamines has increased in Australia in the last decade. According to the 1998 National Household Survey, lifetime use of amphetamines has increased by over 50% from approximately 6% in 1995 to approximately 9% in 1998; recent use (last 12 months) has increased from 2% in 1995 to approximately 4% in 1998. This increase appears to be even greater in Queensland, the site of the proposed study, which has seen both an overall increase in the use of illicit drugs and an increase in the use of amphetamines specifically. The most recent estimate of the number of current users (use within the last 12months) aged 14 years and over in Queensland is 85.5000. This compares to 17.000 recent heroin users in the same age range. Of particular concern is the increase in the use of methamphetamine, which has high abuse potential producing euphoric effects that are similar to, but longer lasting than, those of cocaine. Also of concern, given the increasing purity and availablity of methamphetamine, is the link between amphetamine use and psychosis, a psychotic disorder characterised by sensory hallucinations, paranoid delusions and a loosening of associations. Despite this well established link, there are surprisingly few studies in which the course and onset of amphetamine psychosis has been studied. In this reseach the relationship between subclinical features of psychosis, measures of psychosis proneness and other factors implicated in the development of schizophrenia will be investigated in a prospective cohort in which amphetamine users will be followed up once per month for twelve months.Read moreRead less
A Phase III Randomised Placebo-controlled Trial Of Mirtazapine As A Pharmacotherapy For Methamphetamine (Ice) Dependence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,923,009.00
Summary
Crystalline methamphetamine ('ice') is a growing concern in Australia. There are no approved medications that can be used to treat dependence on this drug. This clinical trial will examine whether mirtazapine, a newly identified treatment agent for methamphetamine use, can be used safely and effectively in routine clinical care to manage methamphetamine dependence in Australia.
Mephedrone (Meow, 4-Methylmethcathinone): Examining The Effects Of A Novel Party Drug On Brain And Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,796.00
Summary
Mephedrone ("Meow") is a novel recreational drug that has rapidly increased in popularity in recent years. Users report that mephedrone has the stimulant-like qualities of cocaine, combined with the prosocial effects of MDMA. Anecdotal and case study reports indicate that mephedrone may have the potential to engender compulsive patterns of use as well as toxicity in overdose. The current project will use animal models to assess how mephedrone affects the brain and behaviour and to assess its add ....Mephedrone ("Meow") is a novel recreational drug that has rapidly increased in popularity in recent years. Users report that mephedrone has the stimulant-like qualities of cocaine, combined with the prosocial effects of MDMA. Anecdotal and case study reports indicate that mephedrone may have the potential to engender compulsive patterns of use as well as toxicity in overdose. The current project will use animal models to assess how mephedrone affects the brain and behaviour and to assess its addictive potential.Read moreRead less
Cognitive Phenotyping And Personalised Treatment For Methamphetamine Addiction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,402.00
Summary
Prevention and treatment of addiction to stimulants such as methamphetamine is imperative for community health and safety. This fellowship will enable me to apply my expertise in impulsivity and addiction to identify people at risk of increasing methamphetamine use and to develop and evaluate cognitive training therapies that will empower people with methamphetamine related problems to control their drug use. Outcomes include a risk identification and triage tool and three novel therapies.
Methamphetamine Clandestine Laboratories: An Analysis Of The Geo-spatial Dynamics Between Ecological Factors, Pharmacists, Pseudo-runners And Related Health Harms.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Methamphetamine (MA) manufacture in clandestine laboratories (clan labs) presents serious health and environmental risks beyond the impact on MA users. My fellowship seeks to better understand the interplay between the geography and population features of clan lab locations, the role of pharmacists and pseudo-runners in MA manufacture and MA-related harm. This evidence provides critical information for policy and program development aimed at reducing the MA manufacture and MA-related harm.
Understanding The Methamphetamine Epidemic And Its Implications For Service Provision And Harm Reduction: The VicMeth Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,270,774.00
Summary
The Victorian methamphetamine epidemic has received extensive media coverage highlighting the devastating impact of the drug and resultant public concern. We will follow up a cohort of 800 methamphetamine smokers from metropolitan and regional Victoria bi-annually for a period of 5 years to determine the natural history of methamphetamine use to inform optimal intervention strategies and arrest the increases in harm observed in Victoria recently.
The N-ICE Trial: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of The Safety And Efficacy Of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) As A Pharmacotherapy For Methamphetamine (“ice”) Dependence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,551,368.00
Summary
Crystalline methamphetamine (aka ‘ice’) is a significant public health concern in Australia and globally. Currently there are no approved medications to treat methamphetamine dependence. We will trial tN-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) as a medications for methamphetamine dependence.
Reducing The Key Alcohol And Other Drug Related Harms In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$782,370.00
Summary
I am a leading alcohol and other drug researcher with an established national and international reputation for high quality research and translation. Over the next five years I will tackle the three key issues in the alcohol and other drug field: injecting drug use, methamphetamine use and harms and high risk drinking by young people, by developing, implementing and testing new interventions.
The Investigation Of Markers Of Relapse And Potential Therapeutic Targets In Methamphetamine Dependence Using Novel Techniques
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$103,088.00
Summary
This project focuses on methamphetamine dependence. It will investigate some of the major harms associated with methamphetamine use and will seek to identify who is more likely to develop these harms. This research will use a range of novel measures and techniques to investigate biological, psychological, cognitive and social risk factors for methamphetamine-related harms. This study will contribute to a better understanding of methamphetamine dependence, and potential targets for treatment.