Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction newsletter

This monthly newsletter shares the latest news and updates from the UNSW Medicine Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction Theme and SPHERE Clinical Academic Group (CAG).

The Theme and CAG support the development of collaborative groups that bring together research, education and clinical partners to address the burdens imposed by neurological, mental health, and drug and alcohol disorders.

If you would like to submit information for inclusion please email Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction by COB on the second Thursday of every month.

News

Applications open for the 2019 round of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction seed funding

Grants of up to $40,000 are available in the 2019 round of UNSW Medicine Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction Theme and SPHERE Clinical Academic Group (CAG) Collaborative Research Seed Funding.

In this round, Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction will seek to award eight research proposals that support the development of projects in alignment with key areas of focus.

Read more.

Collaborative project to investigate risk factors for the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Dr Iain Perkes was awarded $20,000 in the 2018 round of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction seed funding for the project, Pathophysiology of Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children: a decision-neuroscience and magnetic resonance imaging investigation.

“OCD is one of the most disabling conditions in the world. People with OCD typically have symptoms for 17 years before they receive treatment.”

Read more.

WHO recommends interventions for reducing risk of dementia

People can reduce their risk of dementia by getting regular exercise, not smoking, avoiding harmful use of alcohol, controlling their weight, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, according to new guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO). Read more.

ASCEND aims to eliminate hepatitis C among people who inject drugs

A five-year research program run jointly by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) and The Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney is designed to improve access to hepatitis C treatment for people who inject drugs and potentially eliminate the virus among this population. Read more.

These crystals heal – thanks to biomedical and chemical engineers

A group of chemical and biomedical engineers at UNSW Sydney and University of Cambridge has improved the chemical stability of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks or ‘ZIF crystals’, enabling these porous nanomaterials to be used for smart pharmaceutical drug delivery in the human body. Read more.

SESLHD announces new Chief Executive

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District has a new Chief Executive with Tobi Wilson saying he is excited to take on the role after a challenging but rewarding two and a half years as General Manager of Prince of Wales and Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospitals. Read more.

New app tackles insomnia and depression in young people

A new app from Black Dog Institute is showing promising signs for adolescents with symptoms of insomnia or who have difficulty sleeping. The app was the focus of a recent pilot study published in BMJ Open. Read more.

Applications open for NCCRED Fellowship Program

Applications are now open for the National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED) Fellowship Program. Fellows can be clinicians of any multidisciplinary background. Read more.

Richard Grellman AM awarded Honorary Doctorate

Richard Grellman AM has been awarded UNSW Sydney’s highest honour in recognition of his eminent services to both the Australian community and the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA). Read more.

You’re invited to Share your SPHERE story

You are invited to share stories about your work with(in) SPHERE. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to answer a brief survey that includes five short answer responses. Read more.

Register now for Stats Central seminars

Stats Central is presenting a series of free seminars to all UNSW Sydney and Randwick Health Precinct staff and students. Seminars are scheduled every Wednesday from 5 June to 10 July. Read more.

MORE NEWS:

The Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) lobbies politicians for increased drug and alcohol funding. Read more.
CHeBA’s first intergenerational Wipeout Dementia raised $92,000. Read more.
NDARC’s Director, Professor Michael Farrell presented on trends in methamphetamine use and harms at the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug “Ice”. Read more.
Top Honour for Professor John Myburgh AO - St George Hospital Senior Intensive Care Physician. Read more.
DIY brain zapping means cutting edge treatment not just for city folk. Read more.
Landmark study finds year of birth impacts on drug and alcohol use. Read more.
'Submarines' small enough to deliver medicine inside human body. Read more.
Courtyards across South Western Sydney Local Health District are transforming into spaces that can assist with the recovery process for mental health consumers. Read more.
A look inside specialist palliative care for children. Read more.
Final report released on the scoping project 'Equipping psychiatrists to meet the mental health needs of people with intellectual and developmental disability'. Read more.
Virgin Australia teams pull a Boeing 737 for mental and physical fitness. Read more.
A US News analysis shows a link between bias-related harassment and risky health behaviours by victims, which can contribute to dire consequences later in life. Read more.
Congratulations to recent graduates from the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at UNSW Sydney. Read more.
Congratulations to the 2018 UNSW School of Psychology Award Winners. Read more.

ONLINE NOW:

The Autumn edition of South West Thrive. Read more.
The May 2019 edition of South Western Sydney Local Health District News. Read more.
The May 2019 edition of the Black Dog Institute’s Rover eNewsletter. Read more.
The latest edition of Sydney Health Weekly. Read more.
The latest edition of the Triple I CAG newsletter. Read more.
The latest edition of the TCRN, CONCERT and Cancer CAG newsletter. Read more.

FUNDING AND AWARD OPPORTUNITIES:

Expressions of interest are now open for Australian Rotary Health Mental Health Research Grants. Deadline: Fri, 31 May. Read more.
Applications are now open for Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation and Rotary Club of Sydney Cove PhD scholarships. Deadline: Sun, 2 June. Read more.
Applications are now open for the 2019 Cancer CAG Seed Grant Scheme. Deadline: Sun, 2 June. Read more.
Applications are now open for Black Dog Institute PhD scholarships commencing trimester 2, 2019. Deadline: Wed, 12 June. Read more.
Expressions of interest are now open for National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation Alzheimer’s Disease Grants. Deadline: Thurs, 13 June. Read more.
Applications are now open for the 2019 Infectious Disease, Immunity and Inflammation (Triple I) CAG Seed Grant Scheme. Deadline: Fri, 14 June. Read more.
Applications are now open for the NSW Government Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) Research Grant Scheme. Deadline: Fri, 14 June. Read more.
Expressions of interest are now open for Women and Leadership Australia Funding for Women’s Leadership Development. Deadline: Fri, 21 June. Read more.
Expressions of interest are now open for HCF Research Foundation Health Service Research Grants. Deadline: Thurs, 27 June. Read more.
Nominations are now open for the 2019 CSL Florey Medal. Deadline: Fri, 28 June. Read more.
Applications are now open for the NCCRED Fellowship Program. Deadline: Sun, 30 June. Read more.
Nominations are now open for the Research Australia Health and Medical Research Awards 2019. Deadline: Fri, 5 July. Read more.
Applications are now open for the third and final round of NCCRED seed funding grants. Deadline: Tues, 30 July. Read more.
A list of current and upcoming NHMRC funding schemes is available on the NHMRC website. Read more.

ABSTRACTS OPEN:

Abstract submission is now open for the 8^th Annual NHMRC Symposium on Research Translation. Deadline: Fri, 14 June. Read more.
Abstract submission is now open for the Australian Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium. Deadline: Fri, 28 June. Read more.
Abstract submission is now open for the Maridulu Budyari Gumal - The Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE) 2019 International Symposium, Partnerships for Better Health. Deadline: Mon, 15 July. Read more.

SEMINARS:

Prof Steven Petrou will present, Opportunities for intervention in rare neurogenetic disorders as part of the NeuRA Invited Seminar Series on Fri, 31 May. Read more.
Ms Sahar Bajis will present, Enhancing the care cascade for hepatitis C infection in marginalised populations as part of the Kirby Institute Seminar Series on Tues, 4 June. Read more.
Jasmine Menant will present, The contribution of visuo-spatial working memory for obstacle avoidance – preliminary findings as part of the NeuRA Sensorimotor Seminars 2019 on Fri, 7 June. Read more.
Dr Caitlin Hughes will present, Quantifying the reach of Australian drug diversion program for use/possess offences and barriers and enablers to expansion as part of the 2019 NDARC Seminar Series on Thurs, 13 June. Read more.
Dr Catherine Foley will present, Partnering with clinicians, consumers and researchers to improve the uptake of integrated care in mental health and drug and alcohol services as part of the 2019 NDARC Seminar Series on Thurs, 20 June. Read more.
Dr Francesco Papaleo will present, Perinatal oxytocin to ameliorate altered developmental trajectories in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome as part of the NeuRA Invited Seminar Series 2019 on Fri, 21 June. Read more.
Adam Martinac will present, Computational modelling of tracer movement in perivascular spaces as part of the NeuRA Sensorimotor Seminars 2019 on Fri, 21 June. Read more.
Mr Jared Brown will present, The juice popper rush is making me blue as part of the 2019 NDARC Seminar Series on Wed, 26 June. Read more.
Dr Rose Chesworth is presenting, Improving our understanding of and treatment for drug addiction in schizophrenia as part of the Neuroscience and Non-Communicable Diseases Seminar Series on Fri, 28 June. Read more.

EVENTS:

The Health Beyond Research and Innovation Showcase 2019 is being held on Wed, 5 and Thurs, 6 June. Read more.
Science on the Swan (SOTS) 2019 is being held from Wed, 5 to Fri, 7 June. Read more.
Music and Mental Health: Music Listening and Music Creating is being held on Sat, 8 June. Read more.
The NSW Cell and Developmental Biology Meeting is being held on Wed, 12 June. Read more.
The Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing CAG is holding Applied Cultural Proficiency Workshops on Fri, 21 June and Thurs, 18 July. Read more.
The 10th International Nanomedicine Conference is being held from Mon, 24 to Wed, 26 June. Read more.
The International Conference on Drug Prevention, Treatment and Care – Inspiration and Direction is being held from Mon, 1 to Fri, 5 July. Read more.
The UNSW School of Medical Sciences Research Information Night is being held on Fri, 5 July. Read more.
Maridulu Budyari Gumal - The Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE) 2019 International Symposium, Partnerships for Better Health is being held on Thurs, 29 and Fri, 30 Aug. Read more.
The Inaugural Psychology in Medical Education Symposium is being held on Fri, 13 September. Read more.
The 2019 NDARC Annual Research Symposium is being held on Wed, 16 October. Read more.
The Australian Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium is being held from Mon, 28 to Wed, 30 October. Read more.
The Inaugural NCCRED Symposium is being held on Sun, 10 November. Read more.
The 2019 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) conference is being held from Sun, 10 Nov to Wed, 13 Nov. Read more.
The 2019 NHMRC Symposium on Research Translation is being held on Tues, 19 and Wed, 20 November. Read more.
The World Congress on Neurology and Dementia is being held on Wed, 20 and Thurs, 21 November. Read more.
The 14^th GeneMappers Conference 2019 is being held from Wed, 20 to Fri, 22 November. Read more.

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED:

CHeBA researchers are currently recruiting participants over 60 years of age for the Social Cognition Ageing Study (SocCog). Read more.
CHeBA is seeking volunteers aged 60 years and over to participate in CogSCAN - Study of Computer-Administered Neuropsychological tests in seniors. Read more.
Register to join the Co-occurring Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Working Party. Read more.

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Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction Theme · Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney · Sydney, NSW 2052 · Australia