Can the Relational Account predict search in multiple-element displays? . This project provides evidence of a novel mechanism that guides visual attention. Our results confirm the existence of a mechanism that can rapidly and automatically assess the dominant feature(s) in a visual scene and radically change how attention is tuned to a target object. Moreover, this attention-guiding target template can change systematically as observers search through different items in visual search, possibly d ....Can the Relational Account predict search in multiple-element displays? . This project provides evidence of a novel mechanism that guides visual attention. Our results confirm the existence of a mechanism that can rapidly and automatically assess the dominant feature(s) in a visual scene and radically change how attention is tuned to a target object. Moreover, this attention-guiding target template can change systematically as observers search through different items in visual search, possibly due to a re-shaping and narrowing of the target template. These are both ground-breaking discoveries that have not been described before. Work on this project promises to lead to important theoretical breakthroughs, resolve current discrepancies in the literature and advance methods of Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience.Read moreRead less
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorde(ADHD) is the most prevalent mental disorder of childhood affecting around 7.5% of Australian school age children. The disorder is strongly genetic and causes significant impairments in academic functioning, family and peer relations with sufferers at increased risk for drug abuse. Identification and characterisation of rare mutations will enhance our knowledge of the neurobiology and advance the search for next generation drug treatments for the disorder.
Novel Functional Testing For Early Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,578.00
Summary
About 7.5% of Australians have diabetes and 62% of them will have signs of damage to their eyes within 6 years of diagnosis. Diabetes is 2 to 3 times more common amongst Aboriginal Australians. A group of researchers at the Australian National University are collaborating to bring a new test for the severity of diabetic eye disease to the market within 3 years. The objective is to provide doctors with a rapid, cost-effective tool to help them recognize sight-threatening damage and to assist in t ....About 7.5% of Australians have diabetes and 62% of them will have signs of damage to their eyes within 6 years of diagnosis. Diabetes is 2 to 3 times more common amongst Aboriginal Australians. A group of researchers at the Australian National University are collaborating to bring a new test for the severity of diabetic eye disease to the market within 3 years. The objective is to provide doctors with a rapid, cost-effective tool to help them recognize sight-threatening damage and to assist in treatment.Read moreRead less
Impact Of A Sleep Intervention In Children With ADHD: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,230.00
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects up to 7.5% of Australian children. Between 50 and 70% of parents also report sleep problems (eg night waking, insomnia) in their child with ADHD. Such sleep problems are associated with poorer child behaviour, concentration, and school attendance as well as poorer parent mental health and work attendance. This randomised controlled trial will determine whether treating sleep problems in children with ADHD can improve these outcomes.
Neuronal Substrate Of Choice In The Rat Whisker System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,851.00
Summary
Humans and other animals can optimise their goal-directed behaviour by linking stimuli or actions to consequent positive and negative rewards. How does an animal generate such associations, and make decisions in the natural environment where the associations are often uncertain, at times contradictory, and continuously changing? This project uses rat whisker system as an animal model to identify the neuronal basis of perceptual decision making and the role of context.
Thalamocortical Neural Circuits In Higher Order Cognitive And Sensory Processing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,860.00
Summary
Schizophrenia, depression and dementia are devastating disorders with problems in thinking and sensory perception, but the neural circuits causing these symptoms are not known. I will use new optical and genetic tools in mice to identify the cortical and subcortical circuits required for complex touchscreen tasks, the same tasks to assess patients. Identification of neural circuits that underlie clinical symptoms will increase our understanding of these disorders and improve treatments.
Melatonin For Initial Insomnia In Stimulant-treated Pediatric ADHD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,373.00
Summary
Does melatonin work for children with ADHD and initial insomnia? We will study children with ADHD and initial insomnia using N-of-1 trials. This is a trial in a single person, which allows them the opportunity to learn if melatonin is effective for them.We will compare the usual clinical trials (RCTs, which do not give individual results) with combined results from all the 270 patients who have done N-of-1 trials. Data from the first part of each person’s n-of-1 trial will form the RCT.
Interactive Attention Training Technology To Enhance Cognitive Skills In Early Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$759,680.00
Summary
Over 30,000 Australian children enter school with attention difficulties each year. We have established a suite of tasks to train attention based on over 20 years of research into neurodevelopmental disorders and attention. These are delivered on tablets in the form of a game known as TALI Train. We now aim to show TALI can improve attention in children with acquired brain injuries and typically developing children for commercialisation to a broad market.
Investigating A Theoretical Model Of Cognitive Control In Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Informing Our Approach To Cognitive Training.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
ADHD is the most common childhood developmental disorder, characterised by inattentive and/or hyperactive behaviours. Cognitive control has been highlighted as a potential mediator of ADHD symptoms. This program will i) delineate the relationship between cognitive control and ADHD symptoms, ii) develop a cognitive training intervention to target the underlying mechanisms identified as mediators of ADHD symptoms and iii) evaluate the program in a gold-standard clinical trial.