ADHD And Comorbidity: Implications For Clinical Practice And Molecular Genetics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$284,878.00
Summary
ADHD is emerging as the most common, controversial childhood behavioural problem. Previously we have shown that much of the confusion may lie in the fact that ADHD is inherited as a continuum throughout the entire population, only some people having such a strong genetic potential that they warrant the label ADHD. The threshold to achieve this label is partly a community one, leading to the argument over who should be labelled and treated. This grant goes further in examining the possibility tha ....ADHD is emerging as the most common, controversial childhood behavioural problem. Previously we have shown that much of the confusion may lie in the fact that ADHD is inherited as a continuum throughout the entire population, only some people having such a strong genetic potential that they warrant the label ADHD. The threshold to achieve this label is partly a community one, leading to the argument over who should be labelled and treated. This grant goes further in examining the possibility that there is more than one type of ADHD. Some ADHD children have other behavioural problems such as conduct disorder or learning problems. Some have problems throughout their lives while others grow out of it. In Australia we are unique in having developed the most extensive twin databases world-wide and have already studied aspects of ADHD both in the children and their parents. In this grant we shall explore whether there are distinct genetic types of ADHD, characterised not just by their ADHD symptoms but also by the other behavioural problems they experience and by what happens as they grow-up. Such information is invaluable in developing a treatment program dealing with all aspects of the ADHD and also addresses the question of what will happen as they get older. No other study internationally has such extensive data to address these key questions., vital both to clinicians and families. Given the significant genetic component to ADHD, the next possibility is to find the genes involved in the different types. Knowing what these genes do may help in the development of medications more targeted to specific patterns of problems. Recently genes have been identified which may be involved in specific types of ADHD, as well as genes involved in associated problems such as reading disability and substance abuse. This study offers the potential to clearly identify the role of these genes and so assist in improved diagnosis and treatment interventions.Read moreRead less
ACTION - Aggression In Children: Unravelling Gene-environment Interplay To Inform Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,871.00
Summary
Aggression inflicts a huge personal, psychological and financial burden on affected individuals, their relatives, and society at large. ACTION will deliver an overarching framework that combines a thorough understanding of pathways leading to aggression with a map of current gaps, best practices on clinical, ethical, legal, and social issues.
Early Intervention For Treatment-resistant Conduct Disorder In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$694,280.00
Summary
Conduct problems (CP) in childhood are the most reliable precursor of all types of adult mental health problems. Conclusive evidence now exists to show that a subgroup within CP children, those with high levels of callous-unemotional (CU) traits are etiologically distinct and are relatively unresponsive to existing evidence-based treatments.The aim of the current programme is to test a new treatment for these children.
Functional Brain Age Measurement In Children And Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,433.00
Summary
An important aspect of medicine is measuring the function of the human body. It is often advantageous to convert complex functional measures into simpler, intuitive measures such as 'age'. We can compare functional age to chronological age to diagnose disease. In this project, we will build an estimate of 'brain age' in children and adolescents using recordings of the electrical activity of the brain. We will test this 'brain age' as a diagnostic tool in several neurological disorders.
Innovative Models Of Early Intervention For Conduct Disorders In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$826,854.00
Summary
Most mental health problems begin in childhood, and Oppositional-defiant and conduct problems are the most reliable precursor of adult mental health problems. The lifetime costs on public services for these children are large. Australia has no strategy for managing this problem, and urgently needs to develop evidence-based approaches. This program of research will develop improved methods for identifying, assessing and treating child conduct disorders as part of our national strategy for early i ....Most mental health problems begin in childhood, and Oppositional-defiant and conduct problems are the most reliable precursor of adult mental health problems. The lifetime costs on public services for these children are large. Australia has no strategy for managing this problem, and urgently needs to develop evidence-based approaches. This program of research will develop improved methods for identifying, assessing and treating child conduct disorders as part of our national strategy for early intervention for mental health.Read moreRead less