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Providing Evidence For The Primary Prevention Of The High-prevalence Mental Disorders In Men: The Role Of Diet In The Aetiology Of Depression, Anxiety, And Psychological Distress
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,862.00
Summary
Depression is predicted to become the second-most common cause of disability in the world by 2020, despite the increased energy devoted to recognition and treatment. This study will examine the association between diet quality and depressive and anxiety disorders in men, to identify to what extent diet quality is related to the risk for and/or course of these illnesses.
Centre For Clinical Research Excellence In Anxiety And Neuroscience
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,007,200.00
Summary
This Centre will bring together Australia's leading anxiety and neuroscience researchers to develop, evaluate, and disseminate better treatments of anxiety. Epidemiological studies indicate that anxiety disorders are common, with lifetime prevalence estimated to be as high as 15% (1). These disorders share the features of excessive physiological arousal in response to feared stimuli, and this leads to pervasive avoidance that has a debilitating impact on people's lives. In addition, anxiety is o ....This Centre will bring together Australia's leading anxiety and neuroscience researchers to develop, evaluate, and disseminate better treatments of anxiety. Epidemiological studies indicate that anxiety disorders are common, with lifetime prevalence estimated to be as high as 15% (1). These disorders share the features of excessive physiological arousal in response to feared stimuli, and this leads to pervasive avoidance that has a debilitating impact on people's lives. In addition, anxiety is often present as a co-morbid feature of other major disorders, such as schizophrenia, substance use, and depression. Anxiety is one of the world's major health burdens; it costs $44 billion per year in the United States. Health agencies around the world are now putting unprecedented resources into understanding the neural bases of anxiety and its reduction. Building on recent advances in the neuroscience of anxiety, the Centre will expand the capacity for neurotransmitter modulation during therapy to reduce anxiety disorders. By extensive training programs with community clinicians, the Centre will conduct large-scale community trials to assess effectiveness of new approaches. The Centre will foster a new generation of neuroscience researchers and clinicians who are skilled in translating basic science findings into clinical practice.Read moreRead less
A Brain-Based Measure Of Anxiety Sensitivity: Validation Of A Novel Intermediate Phenotype With Psychophysiologically-Informed Neuroimaging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$271,930.00
Summary
Excessive anxiety is disabling, such that people who suffer from a clinical anxiety disorder are often crippled by overwhelming emotional and physical symptoms. We will use sophisticated brain imaging technology to understand how certain brain areas produce feelings of anxiety, including a common fear of arousal related bodily sensations. This work is expected to enhance our basic understanding of the brain basis of anxiety symptoms and may inform new treatment options with biological rationale.
Novel Strategies For The Treatment Of Alcohol Dependance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,629.00
Summary
The proposed project is designed to extend my current project and improve the treatment of alcohol dependence by addressing three barriers to successful treatment. Firstly, a novel, integrated, stepped-care treatment for alcohol dependence and comorbid anxiety or depression will be examined in a randomised controlled trial. Secondly, the relationship between sleep disturbances, relapse and treatment retention and outcomes will be characterised. Thirdly, genetic predictors to the treatment of the ....The proposed project is designed to extend my current project and improve the treatment of alcohol dependence by addressing three barriers to successful treatment. Firstly, a novel, integrated, stepped-care treatment for alcohol dependence and comorbid anxiety or depression will be examined in a randomised controlled trial. Secondly, the relationship between sleep disturbances, relapse and treatment retention and outcomes will be characterised. Thirdly, genetic predictors to the treatment of the anti-craving medications, acamprosate and naltrexone will be investigated. The first two aims will utilise subjects recruited across three sites in Sydney while the third aim will involve analyses of blood samples and clinical data from my current projectRead moreRead less
Complicated grief represents a major demand on health services, productivity levels, and adversely influences mental and physical health. Despite the enormous social and economic costs of complicated grief, there are currently no controlled trials of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for complicated grief. This study addresses this gap in our knowledge by testing the efficacy of CBT in reducing grief reactions. Participants (120) will be randomly allocated to either 10 sessions of CBT or 10 sess ....Complicated grief represents a major demand on health services, productivity levels, and adversely influences mental and physical health. Despite the enormous social and economic costs of complicated grief, there are currently no controlled trials of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for complicated grief. This study addresses this gap in our knowledge by testing the efficacy of CBT in reducing grief reactions. Participants (120) will be randomly allocated to either 10 sessions of CBT or 10 sessions of supportive counselling. Participants will be assessed before and after treatment, as well as 6 months after treatment. Overall, this project will provide an evidence base to guide clinicians in Australia and internationally in regards to treating people suffering the effects of persistent complicated grief.Read moreRead less
Mood and anxiety disorders represent a tremendous cause of disability and morbidity. This research will use cutting-edge brain imaging technologies to understand why these disorders typically emerge in young people and whether brain imaging can reliably predict the effectiveness of different treatments for individual patients.
Pubertal Timing, Brain Development And Mental Health In Adolescence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$786,976.00
Summary
Early timing of puberty is known to be associated with future mental health problems. This study aims to investigate whether children who go through adrenarche (an earlier phase of maturation) early are at risk for poor mental health during adolescence, and whether abnormal brain development is responsible for linking early adrenarche and mental health outcomes. The results of this research will have implications for the early detection of children at risk for mental health problems.
Effectiveness Of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy For Preventing Depressive Relapse In Subjects At Very High Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,317.00
Summary
More than one in twenty Australians experience depression in a single year and it is commonly a relapsing disorder. At least 60% of people who have had a depressive episode will have another, the vast majority within two years of the index episode, 70% of those who have had two episodes will have a third, and 90% of those with three episodes will have a fourth. The economic burden of depression in Australia has been estimated as perhaps $2.8 billion annually. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy ....More than one in twenty Australians experience depression in a single year and it is commonly a relapsing disorder. At least 60% of people who have had a depressive episode will have another, the vast majority within two years of the index episode, 70% of those who have had two episodes will have a third, and 90% of those with three episodes will have a fourth. The economic burden of depression in Australia has been estimated as perhaps $2.8 billion annually. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an innovative psychological treatment, combining principles of cognitive therapy and mindfulness meditation. It is designed to prevent depressive relapse in people who have recovered from depressive episodes. MBCT aims to teach people to become more aware of, and to relate differently to, their thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations; in particular, to view these thoughts and feelings as passing events in the mind rather than identifying with them. Through gaining these skills in increased awareness of thoughts and feelings, participants in the treatment learn to avoid negative ruminations, which have a powerful role in triggering relapses of depression. Primarily this study aims to examine the effectiveness of MBCT for the first time in Australians with a history of recurring depression. As a large multi-site investigation it will establish the feasibility of bringing MBCT into routine practice in both urban and rural areas of Australia. The study also aims to establish whether the mechanisms by which MBCT is proposed to work - by decreasing rumination, increasing levels of mindfulness and self-awareness - do in fact operate. We also hope to establish whether MBCT also has any impact on anxiety, another disabling condition that commonly occurs with depression. This study will enhance evidence as to whether the treatment of MBCT should be recommended routinely to sufferers with repeated episodes of major depression.Read moreRead less
Mental illnesses are the largest single cause of disability and costs the economy $56.7 billion per year. Depression and anxiety in those with dementia lead to poorer outcomes with reduced quality of life, poor functional status and worsening cognition, despite under-treatment. I will develop an integrated network in Australia to maximise treatment outcomes for depression and anxiety in dementia.
Nutraceuticals And Lifestyle Modification For Mood And Anxiety Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Mood and anxiety disorders cause immense societal impact, and current treatment can be greatly improved. One particular way is via evidence-based use of nutrients and plant-based medicines, in addition to encouraging specific lifestyle changes (e.g. increased physical activity and improved diet). Dr Sarris' research focuses on these areas, aiming to build a robust body of evidence as to which of these interventions work (and which do not) to enhance better treatment of depression and anxiety.