A Randomised Controlled Trial Of NMDA Antagonist, Memantine, For The Treatment Of Borderline Personality Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$993,067.00
Summary
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) affects 5.9% of Australians and is a poorly understood mental illness with no clear medication treatment. The key symptoms of BPD all stem from impaired cognitive processes. Our early data shows improvement of symptoms with memantine - a cognitive enhancing drug used in Alzheimer’s disease.We plan to conduct a clinical trial; giving either 20mg memantine or placebo to 150 people with BPD across 2 Victorian sites.
It is widely accepted that just under half of all people with bipolar disorder have a chronic physical illness. The one neglected comorbidity is osteoporosis. In this project, the association between bipolar disorder and bone fragility will be examined. Additionally, a potential common mechanism, systemic inflammation, which may underlie both diseases, will be investigated as a potential mediator of the relationship.
The Pubertal Onset Of Mental Disorders And Early Substance Abuse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,118,072.00
Summary
Mental disorders and early substance abuse are the most important health problems affecting adolescents and young adults in Australia, yet we have no preventive interventions for mental disorders with strong and sustained effects. Around one half of all mental disorders begin at puberty. This proposal outlines plans for the first study to comprehensively study the onset of mental disorder at this time. It will lay a foundation for the next generation of prevention studies.
Building The Evidence Base For Prevention And Recovery Care Services
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,903.00
Summary
This project involves seven inter-related studies designed to evaluate the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of Victoria's Prevention and Recovery Care Services (PARCS), which are residential services for people with severe mental disorders. The project represents a partnership between universities, PARCS providers, clinical services and the Victorian Government, and will actively engage service users and their carers and other experts
The Natural History Of Disruptive Behaviour Disorders: Symptom Trajectory, Outcomes, And Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
This Fellowship aims to determine why some young people with disruptive behaviour disorders (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder) have worse outcomes than others with the same disorders. This body of work will investigate how differences in symptoms and environmental factors determine their outcomes in later life. These findings will also be used to develop an intervention targeted at young at-risk Australians.
A Prospective Study Of Inflammatory Cytokines As Common Factors In The Aetiology Of Both Depression And Osteoporosis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,230.00
Summary
Both depression and osteoporosis are common, debilitating and expensive diseases and there is research to suggest that these conditions are related. This study will examine a potential common mechanism, inflammation, which may underlie both diseases. It will focus on circulating proteins which are associated with both depression and fragility fractures, and examine the role they play in both disorders.
N-ACETYL CYSTEINE IN THE ADJUNCTIVE TREATMENT OF OBSESSIVE COMPUSLIVE DISORDER: A 16-week, Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$850,448.00
Summary
The aim of our proposed study, is investigate the efficacy and safety of adjunctive N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an amino-acid based agent in the treatment of 200 adults with diagnosed OCD. The study proposed is a 16-week, doubled-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. If NAC is found to be effective in this study, the treatment of OCD will be strongly influenced, resulting in global impact for the potential alleviation of suffering for those with the mental disorder.
Evaluation Of An Internet-based Cognitive-behavioural Treatment Program For Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$329,266.00
Summary
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common and extremely disabling psychatric disorder. While cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for OCD, the delivery of such treatment is limited by its cost and shortage of appropriately qualified professionals. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of an internet based CBT program for OCD, which is hoped to result in improved access to a low cost evidence based treatment for all Australians.