Annual Report 2005 - Westmead Millennium Institute

Cognitive neuroscience and the
emotional brain
Researchers in this program aim to identify and explore links
between brain function, cognition and emotion by focussing on
how the brain determines what is and what is not significant. Using
fMRI, ERP’s and new measures of brain connectivity, researchers
aim to identify the location of brain networks for perception of
emotion (fear, anger, disgust, happy and sad). Initial results indicate
there are specialised networks for emotions associated with our
survival, such as fear.
Supported by a prestigious Pfizer Fellowship, A/Prof Lea Williams
and her team are focussing on functional brain connectivity in
relation to emotional brain function, other sources of significance
and the “disconnections” which define psychiatric illnesses. This
research program also aims to evaluate the effectiveness of
pharmaceutical intervention in restoring functional brain connectivity
in complex brain disorders. Other research involves investigating
age and gender differences in emotional brain function and
cognition. Results from this research may provide insights as to
gender differences in vulnerability to emotion-related disorders such
as psychosis, PTSD and ADHD as well as the age- related process
of cognitive decline.
Neuroscientists are increasingly willing to speculate about
consciousness, and identifying the neural mechanism of conscious
experience is important in elucidating the factors that distinguish
humans from primates. The study of non-conscious emotion
perception is also a central step in understanding the mechanisms
of anxiety disorders. Researchers in the Brain Dynamics Centre
are integrating a range of neuroimaging techniques to
comprehensively understand the neural mechanisms of conscious
and unconscious processing.
A significant ARC Linkage Grant enabled the Brain Dynamics
Centre to collaborate with researchers from University of Sydney
and University of NSW to integrate brain imaging with genetics. The
“Development of integrated biological markers of brain function”
collaboration has enabled new projects to be established into the
identification of genetic polymorphisms contributing to variation in
brain function; Prediction of response to antidepressant treatment
in major depressive disorder; and the integration of genotypes with
phenotypic data to develop neuropsychological, EEG/ERP and MRI
profiles of known genotypes.
Post traumatic and stress
Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the most common
traumatic psychiatric disorder to emerge after trauma exposure.
Researchers are investigating the identification of temporal and
biological markers for PTSD and the mechanisms of trauma and
stress and how these are related to life events.
PTSD and depression often present with similar symptoms and a
lack of precise guidelines for diagnosis lead to increased chance of
malingering. Research conducted in 2005 involved investigations
into identifying markers for biological assessment to objectively
identify and index PTSD. Further research being conducted in
collaboration with both Australian and American groups aims to use
EEG to determine if PTSD is a disorder of low approach motivation
(similar to depression) or a disorder of high withdrawal motivation
(like anxiety). Orienting mechanisms underlie important survival
functions from diverting attention to significant or novel stimuli to
avoiding harm from aversive stimuli. Research funded by the ARC
aims to identify the mechanisms involved with human orienting and
investigate links with psychological disorders such as PTSD, ADHD
and schizophrenia. Finally, investigations are also being conducted
into how childhood trauma may influence physiological stress
responses such as neuroticism or insomnia and whether this can
be used a predictor of depression in later life.
Brain modelling
The Brain Modelling Unit collaborates with other groups, locally and
internationally, to develop new methods for biophysical modelling
and analysis of electrophysiological and neuroimaging data, as well
as refining and enhancing existing imaging techniques used in other
areas of the Brain Dynamics Centre. The unit developed the first
unified model of the brain based on real physiological information.
This model allows us to understand how our data links to real brain
activity and its breakdown in disorder.
Brain Resource International
Database and BRAINnet
The Brain Dynamics Centre is closely affiliated with the Brain
Resource Company giving scientists the opportunity to undertake
research using the Brain Resource International Database (BRID).
This database provides a consolidated library of data on
psychological function, cognition, brain function, brain structure
and genetics for healthy male and female subjects across a range
of ages. All data is collected using controlled and standardised
procedures from labs located in USA, Europe and Australia.
BRAINnet is an independent international scientific network
convened by the Brain Dynamic Centre that oversees access to
BRID data. The unique composition of BRID means it can be used
across scientific disciplines and diseases.