Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Genes, Cognition And Brain Activity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,602.00
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. I will use a multi-modal (genetic, cognitive, neurochemical, physiological) approach to increase our understanding of the biological mechanisms leading from gene to disorder in ADHD.
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.
Improving Outcomes For Children With ADHD: Mapping Developmental Trajectories And Developing Targeted Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental health disorders affecting young people in Australia. My research program aims to generate new knowledge to inform clinical practice for children with ADHD including: 1) long-term outcomes and key predictors of outcomes; and 2) novel treatments to improve the lives of children and families. Growth of my research program is feasible and underpinned by existing platforms including numerous NHMRC-funded studies.
Fighting Mental Disorders: Using Mental Imagery To Disarm Symptoms And Enhance Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
This proposal will conduct the first pre-clinical and clinical research utilising mental imagery to disarm symptoms and enhance treatment of multiple mental disorders by controlling the strength of mental imagery. This fellowship represents the first attempt to alleviate symptoms by developing a cognitive-neuroscience method to control the strength of traumatic imagery and to show a causative means of enhancing imagery strength to boost the success rate of cognitive therapy involving imagery.
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
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.
Psychiatric research to date has predominantly focused on understanding mental illness and ways to treat it. This research program instead aims to understand the characteristics of those people who are 'resilient' and able to bounce back from trauma and adversity and thrive. For the first time, it will establish the biological brain markers that define resilience, and the impact of genetics and environment in these pathways. This study will also validate personalised solutions to e-health cognit ....Psychiatric research to date has predominantly focused on understanding mental illness and ways to treat it. This research program instead aims to understand the characteristics of those people who are 'resilient' and able to bounce back from trauma and adversity and thrive. For the first time, it will establish the biological brain markers that define resilience, and the impact of genetics and environment in these pathways. This study will also validate personalised solutions to e-health cognitive training tools that aim to boost resilience.Read moreRead less
Restoration Of Diabetes Associated Cognitive Deficits Through The Modulation Of Cerebrovascular Integrity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,998.00
Summary
Diabetes is known to increase the risk of dementia. Although the mechanisms are currently unknown, a recently emerging body of evidence suggest that damaged blood vessels of the brain may be central to onset and progress of cognitive dysfunction. Consistently, the dysfunction of brain blood vessels is often observed in the brain of diabetes subjects. Therefore, this project will investigate whether the amelioration of disrupted brain blood vessels restores the cognitive function in diabetes.