FROM increasing our brain’s resilience to stress, to possible novel immunotherapy treatments for depression, Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) scientists continue to lead the way in mental health advances.
Their research highlights include:
In 2023, a large global study co-led by QBI and Harvard Medical School found that half of us will likely develop at least one mental health disorder by age 75. QBI Professor John McGrath said the results demonstrate the high prevalence of mental health disorders, with the most common being mood disorders, such as major depression or anxiety.
“We also found the risk of certain mental disorders differed by gender,” Professor McGrath said.
“Depression, specific phobia and post-traumatic stress are the most common mental health disorders among women, while alcohol abuse, depression and specific phobia are the most common ones for men.”
VITAMIN D’S ROLE IN BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Professor Tom Burne studies the role of environmental and genetic risk factors in neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism.
His lab has identified a potential mechanism by which vitamin D alters brain connections and brain function both during development and in adult animals and how this may lead to increased risk of schizophrenia and cognitive impairment.
“This knowledge is developing a better understanding of the disease process and hopefully gives us clues to future treatment options,” Professor Burne said.
STRESS AND BRAIN FUNCTION
Dr Dhanisha Jhaveri is studying how we can increase our brain’s resilience to stress. She is investigating the mechanisms that drive the renewal of neurons in the adult brain, with the goal of harnessing this neuroplasticity to relieve the emotional and cognitive burdens associated with chronic stress.
“We are researching the brain circuits vital to stress resilience, hoping to understand how we can generate a healthier response to stress and potentially reverse some of the stress-related brain changes.”
“Not all stress is bad – we need some stress in our lives to function effectively, but chronic stress leads to impaired neuroplasticity and changes how our brain functions, affecting our memory and thinking skills,” Dr Jhaveri said.
Dr Jhaveri recommends practices like meditation, social interaction, exercise, nutrition and sleep can promote stress resilience by triggering brain plasticity (neuroplasticity).
PERSONALISED THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS FOR DEPRESSION
Researchers are working to develop new treatments and technologies that improve outcomes for people with mental health issues. A novel drug treatment for depression that modulates the workings of the immune system and a companion biomarker have been validated by Associate Professor Susannah Tye bringing us one step closer to personalised therapeutic interventions for psychiatry.
“Our research could revolutionise the treatment landscape for depression and enable targeted, individual interventions to improve brain health, reduce healthcare burden and enhance patient well-being and quality of life,” she said.
FINDING AND TREATING THE BIOLOGICAL CAUSES OF SCHIZOPHRENIA
In complex mental health conditions, like schizophrenia, navigating everyday life can be especially hard. Dr James Kesby is dedicated to finding solutions to treat the symptoms experienced by people with schizophrenia, including challenges with learning, memory and decision-making.
“While our dialogue about mental illness is much more open these days, severe mental illnesses, like schizophrenia, still carry a stigma,” Dr Kesby said.
“I hope that our research will help reduce or remove this stigma by determining the biological causes and finding solutions to treat them.”
At QBI, we are dedicated to tackling one of the most vital challenges of our time: enhancing the health and well-being of our mental lives. In recent years, breakthroughs in neuroscience have revealed the intricate mechanisms behind mental illness, unlocking fresh possibilities for more targeted and effective treatments.
As public awareness of mental health grows, people feel increasingly empowered to speak up about their struggles and seek the support they deserve.
Source: QBI’s life-changing mental health research – Queensland Brain Institute – University of Queensland
By delving deeper into the neurobiology that shapes mental health, we aim to discover innovative ways to boost resilience and strengthen cognitive reserve, ultimately paving the way to a healthier brain and mind.
