Uncovering Oxytocin And Vasopressin Release And Functions With Novel Optical Tools
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,634.00
Summary
Oytocin and vasopressin are peptides in the brain that act as releasable neuromodulators and the balance of these peptides is implicated in the control of social behaviour and anxiety. We aim to investigate the release and function of these neuropeptides with 3 novel protein-based tools in a stressful learning paradigm and anxious behaviour. The understanding of their function will have important implications in the development of therapeutics for neurological conditions and drug addictions.
Enhancing Treatment Effectiveness For Psychosocial Disorders After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$253,750.00
Summary
Motor vehicle accidents are a major cause of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) leading to lifelong, crippling disability. In NSW alone, there are approximately 770 new cases of severe brain injury each year. These people require extensive inpatient rehabilitation and many go on to rely upon community resources for the rest of their lives. The social and economic cost of such injury is cumulative. TBI is mainly experienced by young adults (18-24 years of age) who have normal life expectancy and ....Motor vehicle accidents are a major cause of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) leading to lifelong, crippling disability. In NSW alone, there are approximately 770 new cases of severe brain injury each year. These people require extensive inpatient rehabilitation and many go on to rely upon community resources for the rest of their lives. The social and economic cost of such injury is cumulative. TBI is mainly experienced by young adults (18-24 years of age) who have normal life expectancy and each year more casualties are added to this social burden. Adults with TBI frequently experience a reduction in social skills. Loss of social skills presents major obstacles to reintegration into the community by making the sufferer more taxing and less rewarding to interact with socially. This loss of social skills limits their ability to maintain pre-injury relationships, and often creates an off-putting first impression on potential new acquaintances that interferes with their ability to establish new relationships. The following project is designed to develop and evaluate a treatment program to enhance the TBI individual's ability to create a good first impression on meeting new acquaintances - e.g., potential employers, work colleagues, customers, and social acquaintances - and to engage in behaviour that is mutually rewarding. The project will inform current theoretical approaches to remediation, providing an examination of the modifiability of social skills deficits that are the result of underlying cognitive impairments. It will provide a systematic, integrated social skills treatment approach for both individuals and groups where there are currently very few. The identification and refinement of successful treatment techniques will increase the efficiency of brain injury rehabilitation in Australia, improve the quality of life for sufferers of TBI and their families, reduce cost of rehabilitation and reduce reliance upon community resources in the long term.Read moreRead less
The Development, Assessment And Treatment Of Early Indicators Of Psychopathy In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$271,130.00
Summary
2.7 Significance - Lay description Conduct problems and antisocial behaviour cost Australian society millions of dollars every year directly through the mental health and criminal justice systems, indirectly through their association with substance abuse and other mental health problems, and associated disruptions to health, relationships, and personal and occupational functioning. Remediation is not effective once a chronic pattern has been established. Recently, research has shown that early s ....2.7 Significance - Lay description Conduct problems and antisocial behaviour cost Australian society millions of dollars every year directly through the mental health and criminal justice systems, indirectly through their association with substance abuse and other mental health problems, and associated disruptions to health, relationships, and personal and occupational functioning. Remediation is not effective once a chronic pattern has been established. Recently, research has shown that early signs of psychopathy in children predict chronic antisocial behaviour and lack of responsiveness to traditional treatments. The current research uses a combination of experimental, longitudinal, and treatment outcome studies to examine: the effectiveness with which early signs of a callous-unemotional temperamental style, hypothesised to be an early indicator of psychopathy, can be measured in children, causal factors and correlates of callous-unemotional traits, whether such traits pose a risk for chronic antisocial behaviour, the effects of callous-unemotional traits on responsiveness to traditional family-school based treatments, and the effectiveness of an innovative method for treating it in the early years. The project leads directly to a range of clinical assessment and treatment strategies for children at risk for chronic antisocial behaviour. The project has the potential to substantially improve the effectiveness of current treatment approaches to conduct problems in children that focus on family and school management.Read moreRead less
Does Omega-3 Supplementation Attenuate Aggressive Behaviour: A Multi-Centre Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Broadly Disseminable Strategy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$845,278.00
Summary
Aggressive behaviour is a major problem worldwide, sometimes with dire consequences. Although there are many contributing factors, in this study we will test whether supplementing the diet with omega-3s will result in reduced aggressive behaviour in Australian prisoners. We will discuss the outcomes with key stakeholders, write a report to Corrective Services Administrators Council, develop education about omega-3s for inmates, and form a group to oversee these translation activities.
Relating Genetic, Biological, And Behavioural Markers Of Early Conduct Problems In Young Females
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,639.00
Summary
Child CPs are the first identifable sign of ongoing mental health problems. Most research is done with males, but they are also the most common early markers in females. We are in the unique position to conduct the first test of the relationships between specific genetic risk, neurobiological markers and psychological functioning in females. Findings will inform models of genertic vulnerability, the relationship of genetic risk to basic information processing styles in at-risk children.
Relating Genetic, Biological, And Behavioural Markers Of Early Vulnerability In Conduct Problem Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,183.00
Summary
This research will conduct the first test of specific genetic risk in a large and representative sample of young conduct problem children. These children represent the first readily identifiable group that are at high risk for ongoing mental health problems in our community. It is highly likely that within their numbers are heterogeneous subgroups that will take very different trajectories through life. The current study builds on several years of developmental research in which we have develope ....This research will conduct the first test of specific genetic risk in a large and representative sample of young conduct problem children. These children represent the first readily identifiable group that are at high risk for ongoing mental health problems in our community. It is highly likely that within their numbers are heterogeneous subgroups that will take very different trajectories through life. The current study builds on several years of developmental research in which we have developed methods for identifying different phenotypes within the group. The study will identify genetic markers of these subtypes and relate these to emotional processing as a general model of risk in the development of mental health problems and antisocial behaviour. Findings will inform models of genetic vulnerability, and more importantly, the relationship of genetic risk to basic information processing styles in at-risk children, thus aiding methods for early detection, early intervention and prevention.Read moreRead less