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Biological And Psychological Health Indices Of Ecstasy/polydrug Users: Testing The Bioenergetic Stress Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,015.00
Summary
Use of Ecstasy is increasing in both Australia and the United Kingdom, and is related to poorer psychological and mental functioning in the long-term, suggesting Ecstasy use negatively impacts human physiology producing deficits in aspects of mental functioning. This project aims to assess the effect of weekend use and lifetime use of ecstasy upon measures of physiology and psychology. Findings from these studies may contribute to strategies to reduce the harm associated with Ecstasy use.
Understanding Autistic Spectrum Disorder Traits In Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
ADHD is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder, affecting around 5% of children. It is highly variable in how it presents, and often symptoms from other disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders, are present in ADHD. Improving diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, understanding its diversity and how it co-occurs with other disorders, requires that we re-think how we currently classify disorders, and instead move towards objective, data-driven identification of clusters of risk traits.
Using Reward-based Biomarkers To Improve The Early Detection Of Bipolar Disorder In Individuals Seeking Treatment For Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$366,252.00
Summary
Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as unipolar major depression, which can have disastrous clinical consequences. Emerging evidence indicates that individuals with bipolar disorder show particular dysfunctions within brain regions involved in processing reward. This research will use cutting-edge neuroscience methodologies to investigate reward processing in these two disorders, with the objective of identifying biological markers that help distinguish bipolar from unipolar depression.
Improving Sleep Outcomes In Addicted Populations To Promote Recovery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
Sleep problems are one of the most common side-effects of people going through drug withdrawal and may play a role in predicting future relapse. This project will comprehensively examine the components of sleep that are disturbed in drug-using populations, identify biological markers that impact upon functional outcomes related to sleep behaviour, and pilot an intervention targeting improved sleep outcomes that could be incorporated into routine clinical practice.
From Brain Maps To Mechanisms: Modeling The Pathophysiology Of Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
My Fellowship will develop a framework that integrates brain imaging data with mathematical models of the brain to help understand the mechanisms responsible for schizophrenia. By linking functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) measurements to models of their underlying causes, the work may lead to new treatments that target the specific dysfunction in individuals with this debilitating brain disorder.
Acute And Chronic Effects Of Alcohol On Sleep And Sleep Related Brain Functioning In Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of physical injury and risky sexual behaviour, particularly in adolescence and young adulthood. Little is known about alcohols impact on brain activity during sleep in this age group. This project investigates whether brain synchronisation during sleep is an early marker of alcohol related brain damage in late adolescence and if acute intoxication disrupts sleep related memory processes during this critical developmental period
Mechanisms Of Memory And Mood Impairment Associated With Sleep Disturbance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,613.00
Summary
Sleep loss is integral and pervasive in society today. There is a link between sleep disturbance, memory impairment and depressed mood, however, the mechanisms underlying these associations are unclear. We examine whether sleep disturbed populations have preferential memory for negative information and higher levels of negative affect and mood. These findings will help to explain higher rates of depression in sleep disturbed patients, and promote the benefits of healthy sleep on mood.
Characterising The Effect Of Methamphetamine And Alcohol On Driving Behaviour And Performance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Methamphetamine and alcohol are commonly detected among drivers involved in road trauma, but it is currently unclear how these substances contribute to an increased crash risk. This series of studies will (1) look at associations between drug use and attitudes and behaviours towards dangerous driving in people who use these drugs. It will also test the effect of combined alcohol and methamphetamine on (2) more complex thinking patterns and behaviours, and (3) objective driving performance.