Alcohol, Angry Rumination, And Aggression: The Role Of Acute Impairment Of Executive Functioning
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$341,780.00
Summary
In Australia, alcohol-induced aggression imposes substantial psychological, public health, social, and economic burdens on victims, perpetrators, and society. When people drink and brood over interpersonal transgresssions, they are at increased risk of violence, even toward the innocent. The goal of the proposed research is to identify neuropsychological mechanisms that account for this increased aggression.
Nicotine abuse is the single greatest preventable risk factor for physical illness and death in Australians. Our understanding of the neural and cognitive mechanisms that underlie the transition from use to dependence is yet to be understood. The current proposal investigates the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive control, critical to self-control over the impulse for drug rewards, in non-dependent and dependent nicotine users.
Cognitive And Psychosocial Functioning In Patients With Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$123,143.00
Summary
Children born extremely preterm are at risk of struggling at school and falling behind normal educational milestones, and having emotional problems such as anxiety. This study aims to see whether anxiety affects these children’s ability to learn and use new information. It will also determine whether an intervention targeting these thinking skills is less useful in children with higher levels of anxiety.
The Role Of The Orbitofrontal Cortex In Disorders Of Response Inhibition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$515,488.00
Summary
We will investigate the role of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in decision-making, particularly the effect of hyperactivity in the medial vs. ventrolateral orbitofrontal cortex on decision-making. Hyperactivity in these structures has been linked to obsessive compulsive disorder and, in line with the distinct functions of the different regions of OFC, we develop and test a novel hypothesis as to the psychological and neural bases of the obsessions and compulsions distinctive to that disorder.
The Effect Of A Course Of Oxytocin In Effecting Changes In Social And Executive Functioning In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$106,157.00
Summary
Oxytocin has been demonstrated as an effective treatment option for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The current study will look whether an eight week course of oxytocin can result in sustainable changes in social behaviour and attention in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Characterising Quality Of Life And Its Determinants For Children With Intellectual Disability And Their Families
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,874.00
Summary
Approximately 2% of children are born with intellectual disability. They and their families often experience poor health and wellbeing. We will develop a measure of quality of life for affected children and then we will investigate how different factors affect both child and family quality of life. Our new measure will provide capacity to determine what treatments could improve the lives of affected children and their families.