Maternal Anxiety In Pregnancy And Infant Bio-behavioural Regulation: Testing The Fetal Programming Hypothesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$577,896.00
Summary
Recent research shows that maternal anxiety in pregnancy is associated with emotional and behaviour problems in childhood. This project examines the impact of anxiety during pregnancy on infant capacity to regulate behaviour, sleep and physiological response to stress and also considers possible genetic contributions. Findings address the earliest origins of mood and behaviour disorders in children and will inform evidence-based interventions during the perinatal period.
A significant proportion of Australian children are at health risk due to environmental metal exposure. It is suspected that exposure to metals during the prenatal period can result in permanent impairment. Human studies are, however, limited by lack of biomarkers that accurately measure exposure at specific times of intrauterine development. We are proposing to develop a novel method that utilizes human primary teeth to provide a direct measure of metal exposure during foetal development.
Disrupted Neurosteroid Synthesis Mediates The Adverse Effects Of Prenatal Stress
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$695,973.00
Summary
Maternal anxiety and related stress in pregnancy influences the fetus causing developmental changes that adversely affect the offspring leading to behavioural problems in childhood. However, mechanisms which transfer maternal changes to the fetus are unclear. We propose that disruption of the fetal-placental neurosteroid system is a major link. We will identify the deficits in this system caused by maternal stress and then examine therapies to reverse these disruptions.
Early Life Influences On Child And Adolescent Mental Health Problems
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,564.00
Summary
Many children experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, causing emotional pain for families and a huge economic cost for society. I aim to prevent these problems before they start. By identifying influences in a pregnant woman’s environment that might lead to mental health problems in her child, such as stress, fertility problems and environmental dangers, we can target these influences early and build positive mental health for children right from the very start of life.
Improving Communication And Informed Decision Making In Prenatal Screening And Diagnostic Testing Among Women And Couples With Lower Education And Literacy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$329,115.00
Summary
It is widely accepted that women and couples should be given balanced information to help them make informed choices about undergoing tests to screen for, and diagnose, genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. Current information, however, requires high reading levels and is not suitable for low literacy groups. This research aims to develop and evaluate information to support women and couples with lower education and literacy in making informed choices about prenatal screening and testing.
Is Developmental Vitamin D Deficiency Associated With Autism-related Phenotypes: A Birth Cohort Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,285.00
Summary
There is evidence that low vitamin D before birth may increase the risk of autism. This study will examine this hypothesis based on a Dutch birth cohort. If there is a link between vitami D and autism, then this can be readily addressed with prenatal supplements.
The Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance Of Parental Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$362,431.00
Summary
The current global epidemic of obesity and diabetes has partly been fuelled by the propagation of these diseases from parent to child across multiple generations. Successful completion of this study will provide hard evidence that there is an inborn but non-genetic component to the risk of obesity and provide insights into the mechanisms by which that risk is created and transmitted from both the mother and the father to the child.