Psych: Neurodevelopment and Disorders

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Neurodevelopment and Disorders

The human brain undergoes massive developmental change from infancy to early adulthood, underpinning age-related changes in cognitive ability, temperament, personality and social functioning. The consequences of disruption to neurodevelopment can be dramatic, as exemplified by the host of clinical conditions that are marked by a failure to attain appropriate cognitive, social or brain developmental milestones. Thus members of our theme seek to understand for example, how individual differences in our genetics might influence the development of traits such as inattention or impulsivity and their associated neural correlates. Other members of our theme lead the way in studying neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, Fragile X and William’s syndrome.

Our approach and methodology is strongly multidisciplinary. We integrate knowledge from genetics, pharmacology and behavioural, cognitive and developmental neuroscience with that of clinical psychology and psychiatry to enrich our understanding of developmental processes. We employ cutting edge technologies such as electroencephalography (EEG), oculomotor neurophysiology, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and structural and functional brain imaging to link brain and behaviour.

Our strong neuroscience focus combined with our rich clinical research ensures that our discoveries are relevant and translatable while being grounded in the biology of the disorders we study.

Highlights

 

Featured grants

• Dr Joanne Fielding was awarded a prestigious NARSAD (USA) Young Investigator Award for: Enhancing neurobehavioural and clinical definitions in autism spectrum disorders (2011-2012), $56,000

Featured publications

• Selective executive markers of at-risk profiles associated with the fragile X premutation. Cornish KM, Hocking DR, Moss SA, Kogan CS. Neurology. 2011 Aug 16;77(7):618-22. Epub 2011 Jul 20.

• Differentiation of High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Disorder Based on Neuromotor Behaviour. Nayate A, Tonge BJ, Bradshaw JL, McGinley JL, Iansek R, Rinehart NJ. J Autism Dev Disord. 2011 Jun 10. [Epub ahead of print]

Centres and Groups

• Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology (CDPP)
• Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory
• Developmental Neuroscience and Genetics Disorders Laboratory
• Experimental Neuropsychology Research Unit
• Ocular Motor Research Laboratory

Theme Members

Professor Mark Bellgrove (Theme Leader)

Emeritus Professor John Bradshaw

Professor Kim Cornish

Dr Russell Conduit

Dr Joanne Fielding

Professor Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis

Dr Stefan Luebbers

Professor Nicole Rinehart

Professor Julie Stout

Dr Renee Testa

Research Led Education

• Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology
  
• Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology
  
• DPSY5105 Clinical Developmental Psychology
• DPSY7141 Clinical, child, adolescent and family psychology PART 1
• DPSY7142 Clinical, child, adolescent and family psychology PART 2
• PSY2031 Biological and Developmental Psychology
• DPSY6261 Developmental Neuropsychology
• DPSY5162 - Neuroanatomy for the clinical neuropsychologist
• PSY3180 Human Neuropsychology: Developmental and neurodegenerative disorders

Research Led Clinical Activities

• Research Led Community Clinical Consultation
  • Rinehart, N.J. (12/2011). Autism, Asperger’s disorder, and ADHD: An update for psychologists working in in the Community. Central Peninsula Network, Victoria. Australia.
  • Rinehart, N.J. (12/2011). Autism, Asperger’s disorder, and ADHD: An update for psychologists working in Australian School. The Heads up in adolescent mental health – Merging the Psycho Neuro. The School Counselors And Psychologists Conference 2011. Etihad Stadium, Docklands, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Rinehart, N.J. (12/2011). ACT-Now Master Class: An update on understanding autism for pre-school and primary school teachers. Victoria University, Flinders Street Campus, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Rinehart, N.J. (11/2011). A 3-day workshop on the assessment and management of autism for professionals and parents. Sunway Medical School, Malaysia.
  • Rinehart, N.J.. (10/2011). How can motor signs and symptoms inform autism assessment ?, Youth Mental Health Symposium (YMHS) (for Psychiatrists and Paediatricans sponsor Janssen), Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Rinehart, N.J. (08/2011). Early signs and management of autism, ADHD, and Asperger’s disorder – What Early Learning Teachers Need to Know. Teachers Association, Melbourne Private Schools Association, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Rinehart, N.J. (06/2011). An update on neurological symptoms of autism and Asperger’s disorder. Autism & ADHD clinical services, Monash Medical Centre, Victoria, Australia.

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