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.
Genetic Influence On Cognitive Function And Medication Response In Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
ADHD is one of the most common child mental health conditions, with cognitive deficits that impact everyday functioning, educational and social outcomes. Not all children with ADHD achieve equal benefit from medication. The disorder appears to be genetic with many genes contributing a small risk for the disorder. This project asks how DNA variation influences ADHD brain function and how they respond to medication. This project is important to improve the clinical diagnosis and outcome for ADHD.
Exploring The Neuropathophysiology Of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,939.00
Summary
There are currently no validated biomedical techniques for diagnosing or treating autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This project will use cutting-edge neuroscience techniques to better understand the neurobiology of ASD and how neurobiological impairments relate to specific symptoms. These results will promote a better understanding of the brain basis of ASD, and may provide realistic targets for the development of new biomedical methods for diagnosis and treatment.
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
Reducing Perinatal Lung, Heart And Brain Injury In Preterm Infants – From Bench To The Clinic.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,652.00
Summary
Many infants are exposed to an adverse environment whilst developing in the womb, and are therefore at increased risk of lung, heart and brain injury, with life-long consequences. This research is focused on improving the entry into the world of vulnerable infants, thus reducing the risk and severity of brain injury.
Structural Connectomes In Traumatic Brain Injury: Can Secondary Disease Progression Be Stopped And Cognitive Deficits Be Reversed?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Many people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience cognitive problems, including poor memory and concentration. TBI is often referred to as a ‘hidden disability’ because the overwhelming majority of patients with TBI show no abnormalities on standard MRI or CT scans. In my project, I will delineate the mechanisms of secondary injury in finer detail through enhanced neuroimaging techniques, resulting in new assessment and treatment modalities for individuals with TBI.
Early Identification Of Degenerative Dementia Syndromes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
With the continuing ageing of the population, an increasing number of adults will experience signs of dementia. Knowledge of the clinical presentation, disease mechanisms and evolution of frontotemporal dementia, a syndrome as common as Alzheimer’s disease in the < 65 year-old group, remains suboptimal. This research project will combine clinical investigations and brain imaging to improve diagnostic accuracy of this disease. This will lead to better treatment and management interventions.