Cognitive impairment in mental illness associated with faster cellular ageing

Cognitive impairment is associated with shorter telomere in people
with bipolar-schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Study

by Anne Crawford

Telomeres, the protective cap-like structures that stop the ends of our chromosomes from becoming frayed or tangled, are of increasing interest globally as markers of cellular ageing. Now a study led by Monash University Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc) researchers has revealed a link between telomere length and cognitive impairment in people with bipolar-schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Research recognised on genital focused body image concerns

Congratulations to Dr Gemma Sharp, who was a finalist for Best International Paper in Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 

Her paper, titled "Genital self-image and aesthetic genital surgeries: Novel perspectives across the cisgender and transgender spectrum", showcases much of her own research on genital focused body image concerns and genital surgeries in cisgender women and men. This, she says, is a very under-recognised area in body image research, but has important impacts for psychological and sexual well-being as well as self-identity. In this paper, Dr Sharp calls for more research to be undertaken with people who identify as transgender who likely experience a complex interplay of gender dysphoria and genital body image concerns.

Congratulations to Dr Leo Chen on his PhD completion

Congratulations to Dr Leonard Chen on his PhD completion, on 16 March 2022. Leo was supervised by Professor Paul Fitzgerald and Professor Kate Hoy in CCS's Department of Psychiatry. His thesis is titled, "Improving Efficacy and Efficiency of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Therapy in Major Depression and Comorbid Anxiety."

Leo's thesis examined repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation’s (rTMS) parameters and scheduling to optimise its efficacy and efficiency in treating depression. Depression is a common mental illness that often presents with anxiety symptoms, both of which can be difficult to treat.

'Brain fog' during menopause is real – it can disrupt women's work and spark dementia fears

For nearly two-thirds of women, menopause comes with an undesirable change in memory.

Despite great progress in understanding the medical aspects of menopause – a natural part of life that occurs when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 months – we are only beginning to recognise the experience and impact of cognitive changes during menopause.

See The Conversation article (December 14) by Caroline Gurvich, Chen Zu and Shalini Arunogiri.

Gemma Sharp finalist for Bupa Emerging Health Researcher Award

Dr Gemma Sharp is a tireless community advocate,
and is also a co-host for 3RRR "Radiotherapy"

Congratulations to Dr Gemma Sharp who is an NHMRC Early Career Fellow and clinical psychologist in the Central Clinical School's Department of Psychiatry. She was one of only five national finalists for the Bupa Emerging Health Researcher Award. 

Dr Sharp was nominated by her supervisor and Head of Psychiatry, Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, for her significant contribution to the field of body image and eating disorder clinical research in her short career. 

New study to look at TMS treatment for OCD

The benefits of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) on people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the focus of a collaborative study between Monash University and the Epworth Centre for Innovation in Mental Health (ECIMH).

• See full story
• For more information on the trial or to register as a participant please click here.

MRFF grant for new national collaboration for mental health clinical trial development

A new national collaboration to transform the way mental health treatment is developed and tested will be led by Deakin University and key partners including Swinburne and Monash Universities, with $12 million support from the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

The Mental Health Australia General Clinical Trial Network (MAGNET) will start as a five-year project that will be funded through the MRFF’s Million Minds Mission, as recently announced in the Federal Budget.

Meet KIT: World First Body Image Chatbot

Check out the KIT body image chatbot

Body image issues is an epidemic of its own. With over 30 per cent of Australia’s young people extremely concerned about their body image, a chatbot called KIT has been designed to educate and provide information for those seeking help.

Changing the narrative of addiction in Australia

Australia's addiction crisis is in the spotlight in an SBS series.
CCS and Turning Point's Dr Shalini Arunogiri comments

Australia’s addiction crisis, is in the spotlight, following the release of a new SBS documentary series, ‘Addicted Australia’.

The four-part series follows the personal journeys of 10 clients, their clinicians, peer support workers, families and friends, and lays bare the challenges faced by families and their loved ones who are searching for a different life.

Monash University partner, Turning Point, has designed the six-month treatment program the clients are undertaking.

25 Nov event: From the Front Line: Rethinking mental health treatment and personalised care

Register here for 25 Nov webinar on mental health treatment

From the Front Line: Rethinking mental health treatment and personalised care

Monash University is hosting a panel discussion on Australia’s significant health challenge: Mental Health on Wednesday 25 November 11.30am - 12.30 pm. See more about the event below.

Register here

People You May Know: What Happens Next? podcast on social media and mental health, part two

Every generation faces its own moral panic over new technology. Even right back to Socrates when the use of written text in books was seen as something that would negatively impact our lives. In the 20th century, wireless radio and television was thought or assumed to bring about the downfall of civilisation.

Early Career Research Award for Dr Gemma Sharp

Congratulations to Dr Gemma Sharp, who has been awarded the Australian Psychological Society's (APS) Early Career Researcher award for 2020! See all APS winners here.

Dr Sharp is a Senior Research Fellow at the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc), Monash University. She leads the Body Image Research Group at MAPrc and holds a prestigious NHMRC Early Career Fellowship. She is known for her pioneering research in body image, particularly genital self-image. She is also involved in the design of novel body image interventions using digital technologies, which is supported by a number of competitive grants (e.g., AMP Tomorrow Maker Grant).

Gemma Sharp is a Eureka finalist for promoting understanding of science

Dr Gemma Sharp explains her science communication
strategies. See video. Follow @gemmasharp11

Dr Gemma Sharp from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, has been nominated as a finalist in the 2020 prestigious Australian Museum Eureka Prizes in recognition of her effective science communication.

Schizophrenia outcomes may be improved by repurposed drug

A clinical trial is recruiting women with schizophrenia

A study by Monash University researchers has found that a drug used in the treatment of osteoporosis may help improve symptoms of schizophrenia. 

 

Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, Monash University, Central Clinical School, pioneered the use of estrogens in the treatment of schizophrenia and has conducted ground-breaking research in this area for the past 25 years. She and colleague Professor Suresh Sundram at the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, are leading an ongoing clinical trial of a new type of ‘brain estrogen’ called a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). 

 

Bazedoxifene is the new SERM being trialled and early results show improvement in schizophrenia symptoms.