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.
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.
Executive Dysfunction And Brain Development In Very Preterm 13-year-olds - A Longitudinal MRI Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$738,656.00
Summary
An area of concern for very preterm children is executive function (i.e. skills used for problem solving), which is related to educational problems, behavioural issues and social difficulties. In very preterm children this study will 1) determine if executive function problems remain stable, worsen, or improve with age; 2) look for markers for these problems from infant brain scans; and 3) examine how executive function difficulties are related to brain re-organisation.
Do People With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Benefit From Making Errors? A Clinical Trial Of The Efficacy Of Error-based Learning And Errorless Learning Training
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$579,142.00
Summary
People with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) have trouble recognising changes in their abilities and often fail to notice mistakes on daily tasks. Although people can learn strategies, these are rarely used as needed in daily life. This study will determine whether people with severe TBI become more self-aware and able to transfer what they learn when they are made aware of their errors, as compared to when other people prevent them from making errors. The findings will have major implication ....People with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) have trouble recognising changes in their abilities and often fail to notice mistakes on daily tasks. Although people can learn strategies, these are rarely used as needed in daily life. This study will determine whether people with severe TBI become more self-aware and able to transfer what they learn when they are made aware of their errors, as compared to when other people prevent them from making errors. The findings will have major implications for rehabilitation of neurological disorders.Read moreRead less
The ability of humans to detect and be aware of errors in behaviour is a fundamental aspect of human cognition. As the saying goes: "To Err Is Human". This project seeks to understand how individual differences in our genetic makeup contribute to our ability to detect and be aware of errors in our behaviour. Understanding the biological systems underpinning error monitoring may assist in the treatment of many psychiatric disorders which are marked by poor awareness of behaviour.
The Alert Program: An Evidence Based Treatment Program For Aboriginal Children Living With FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,196,940.00
Summary
This study will research the effectiveness of the Alert Program to improve self-regulation and executive functioning skills in primary school aged children in the Fitzroy Valley, a vast area located within the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The project also aims to document a sustainable and culturally appropriate method of implementing a theraputic intervention that supports the improvement of skills in children living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders within these communities.