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.
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.
Interactions Between The Serotonin Transporter And Sympathetic Nervous Activation In Patients With Major Depressive Disorder - Understanding The Link Between The Brain And The Heart
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,109.00
Summary
There is evidence that patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) are at increased risk of developing heart disease. While the mechanisms responsible remain unknown we have previously demonstrated that cardiac sympathetic nervous activity in patients with MDD follows a bimodal distribution, with values in some patients being extraordinarily high. In this project we will determine the physiological consequences of sympathetic activation in patients with MDD.
Deep Brain Stimulation In The Treatment Of Severe Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,008,087.00
Summary
Some patients with depression fail to respond to a variety of standard treatments and in this group, deep brain stimulation (DBS) is being evaluated as an alternative treatment option. This study will investigate the use of DBS applied to a novel brain target site in patients with highly treatment refractory depression.
AusGDB-Depression: An Australian Genetic Database Study Of Functional Genetic Variants And Environmental Factors In Major Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,486.00
Summary
Major depression is the leading cause of disability in Australia, but its causes are unknown. Despite a significant role of genes in this disorder and many genetic studies, researchers have not been able to identify the genes that increase the risk for this disorder. In this project, we will identify, characterize and use genetic functional variants and environmental factors to create a way to predict diagnosis of this disorder.
Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is a debilitating psychological condition that affects at least 10% of bereaved people. There is limited knowledge on treating PGD. At present only 50% of affected people benefit from the treatment of choice. This project will test an augmented treatment that attempts to increase the efficacy of treatment for bereaved people suffering PGD. This program will shape more effective programs for assisting the 100's of thousands of Australians who suffer PGD.
The Validation Of A Culturally-specific Measure To Identify Depression In Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People With Or Without Chronic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$658,971.00
Summary
The project aims to determine whether a short, free-to-use, questionnaire about depression that has been adapted for use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, accurately identifies depression in this population. Specifically we aim to test whether this measure is suitable for use in primary care settings with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with or without chronic disease.
Diet As A Therapeutic Target In Depression: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$498,564.00
Summary
Depression is predicted to become the second-most common cause of disability in the world by 2020. While there is now compelling new evidence to suggest that diet plays an important role in the risk for and the genesis of depression, there are no existing data regarding the impact of dietary improvement on existing depressive illness. The aim of the proposed study is to answer the critically important and frequently asked question "If I improve my diet, will my mental health improve?"
Differential Changes In Cortical Tumour Necrosis Factor Signalling In Mood Disorders And Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$642,078.00
Summary
Changes in inflammation-related pathways contribute to the symptoms of psychiatric disorders and tumour necrosis factor ? (TNF) is a protein central to regulating theses pathways. We have now shown that changes in pathways regulated by TNF are present in the brains of people with schizophrenia and mood disorders. This means that the symptoms experienced by those with the different disorders may be linked to differential changes in TNF-regulated pathways in the brain.
Neural Predictors Of Treatment Response In Youth Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$519,596.00
Summary
Depression is the single greatest cause of disability and morbidity in young people. In order to reduce its substantial burden on individuals and society, there is a need to optimise the early provision of existing treatments. In this study, we will use cutting-edge neuroimaging technology to identify “biomarkers” in the brain that will help to more accurately determine which available treatments are likely to be most effective and safe for an individual patient.