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.
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.
Activin And Androgen Crosstalk During Testis Development Programs Adult Fertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,740.00
Summary
Fertility in men is determined by how the testis grows during fetal and juvenile life. We recently discovered that the Sertoli cells which nurse developing sperm are highly sensitive to cross-talk between testosterone and the growth factor activin during puberty. This project studies how this cross-talk is controlled to understand how altered hormone actions in boys, including exposure to harmful endocrine disrupting chemicals, reduces adult fertility.
Pubertal Transitions In Mental Health And Behaviour: The PHASE-A Study Of Social Roleand Lifestyle Transitions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,656,785.00
Summary
Over the past four decades problems such as depression, anxiety, self-harm and substance abuse have increased in young people. Recent research indicates that puberty is a time when these problems commonly first emerge. This five-year study of 4000 students will examine a question of whether social transitions that are too soon (e.g. early initiation of sex) or problematic (e.g. bullying from peers) may explain the increase in these health problems as children pass through puberty.
Adolescent Rural Cohort Study Hormones, Health, Education, Environments And Relationships
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,016,983.00
Summary
Adolescence is a time of major physical, emotional and social change, often characterised by risk taking and experimentation. Behaviours and decisions taken at this time of life will shape future health. This rural cohort study will for the first time will study the influence of pubertal hormones on behaviours, mental and physical health and general well being in adolescents.