Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Assessing Listening With Engaging, Real-World Auditory Signals, Brainscan , Western University, Björn Herrmann, Ingrid Johnsrude 6612111

Project Summaries

Our project will develop and evaluate a novel way (using functional imaging, fMRI, and electrophysiology, EEG) to assess this cognitive impact of hearing loss with engaging, real‐world auditory stimuli. We will try to assess listening effort in more realistic listening situations among healthy listeners, comparing detected effort in degraded and clear acoustic conditions.

Using EEG, we will then develop measures that are sensitive to the cognitive demands imposed by degraded speech, using these features to assess hearing function with engaging narratives in natural listening conditions.

Attention Bias Modification Training As A Potential Preventative Tool, Brainscan, Western University, Elizabeth Hayden, Marc Joanisse, Pan Liu, Koraly Perez-Edgar, Thomas Olino

Project Summaries

We will use eye-tracking techniques to understand more about attentional bias and how it changes through ABM training.

Through neuroimaging, we will look at 'resting state functional connectivity', which is the activity and communication in the brain when a person is not engaging in any activity themselves. There are resting-state patterns of brain activity that have been identified in the brains of youth with depression, anxiety and related disorders, but we do not know if these brain patterns can be used to identify those at risk for these disorders. We also don't know if preventative approaches to depression and anxiety, …

Developing Optogenetics/Electrophysiology Applications For Studying Cognitive Impairment During Stress, Brainscan, Western University, Wataru Inoue, Brian Allman, Julio Martinez-Trujillo

Project Summaries

We will develop cutting-edge techniques to:

• precisely measure and artificially manipulate the activity of CRH neurons in the PFC, and
• measure small and local releases of CRH by these neurons.

The success of our project will open the door to understand the neural mechanisms for how stress impairs cognitive functions and how it may contribute to mental disorders.

Establishing A Translational Platform For Studying Sensory Processing In Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Brainscan , Western University, Susanne Schmid, Brian Allman, Ryan Stevenson, Janis Cardy

Project Summaries

The causes for ASD and DLD are many, complex and largely unknown. One specific cause already identified is mutation of a single gene essential for neuronal development. A useful transgenic rat model has been developed with this mutation that exhibits disabilities very reminiscient of children with ASD or DLD. We will use it to demonstrate that the same tests can show the same disruptions to the auditory system between children with ASD/DLD and this rat model. This model can then be used to undertake further exploration of the impact of ASD/DLD on the auditory system and evaluation of possible behavioural …

The Impact Of Maternal Immune Activation On Fetal Brain Development, Brainscan , Western University, Stephen Renaud, Susanne Schmid

Project Summaries

We will be studying the contribution of two distinct immune cell subtypes to fetal brain development: the mother's main immune cells present in the uterus (known as uterine natural killer cells), and the fetal brain's main immune cells (fetal microglial cells).

Rural Ontario Youth And Mental Wellness, Brad Ross

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Currently, there is a significant lack of knowledge regarding rural Ontario youth and their mental wellness. This study addresses the following research questions: 1) How do rural youth maintain mental wellness? and 2) What factors facilitate or hinder the mental wellness of rural youth from their perspective? Eight rural participants, four male and four female, aged 16-23 provided data via one on one interviews. It was found that many rural youth have adapted to utilize their rural environment, social support, and intrapersonal techniques to maintain their mental wellness. Furthermore, four main themes act as both facilitators and hindrances to their …

Links Between Physical And Mental Health: Assessment Of Therapeutic Riding’S Effect On Children With Special Needs, Sabah I. Hasan

Brescia Psychology Undergraduate Honours Theses

This observational study examined the effect of therapeutic riding (TR) on four domains, physical skills, positive values, social skills, and self-identity in children with special needs. Participants were recruited from SARI Therapeutic Riding and were divided, based on observation, into more or less severe diagnosis categories. It was predicted that children with less severe diagnosis would show more of an increase on the four domains, especially physical skills due to TR. Participants were observed using an observational checklist at pre- and post-riding lessons. Results showed non-significant differences in all four domains, however, there was a tendency for scores to increase …

Insomnia, Psychiatric Disorders And Suicidal Ideation In A National Representative Sample Of Active Canadian Forces Members, Don Richardson, A. Thompson, Lisa King, B. Corbett, P. Shnaider, K. St Cyr, C. Nelson, J. Sareen, Jon Elhai, M. Zamorski

MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre

Background

Past research on the association between insomnia and suicidal ideation (SI) has produced mixed findings. The current study explored the relationship between insomnia, SI, and past-year mental health status among a large Canadian Forces (CF) sample.

Method

Data was obtained from the 2013 Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey (CFMHS), and included a large representative sample of Canadian Regular Forces personnel (N = 6700). A series of univariate logistic regressions were conducted to test individual associations between past-year mental health status, insomnia, and potential confounds and SI. Mental health status included three groups: 0, 1, or two or more …

Self-Disclosure Among Male Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse: Service Providers’ Perspective, Marudan Sivagurunathan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Previous research regarding child sexual abuse (CSA) indicates significant gender differences in disclosure rates: specifically, males are less likely to disclose their child sexual abuse in comparison to females. CSA can have lasting impact on a child’s emotional, physical, and psychological wellbeing. Trauma studies show support and early intervention is necessary for CSA survivors to re-establish a sense of safety and to experience better quality of life. Service providers play a key role in providing care and support for male CSA survivors. However, little is known about service providers, who work with male CSA survivors, and their perceptions and attitudes …

Household Living Arrangement And Quality Of Life In Adults With Mental Illness, Meaghan Mckillop

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Household living arrangement, whether an individual lives alone, with family, or with unrelated persons, may predict quality of life in adults with mental illness, as it influences social interactions and availability of immediate resources. Objective: To assess the relationship between living arrangement and quality of life in adults with mental illness. Design: Secondary analysis of 294 community-dwelling adults with mental illness. Linear regression was used to estimate the association between living arrangement and quality of life. Results: Initially, linear regression analysis did not suggest a strong association between quality of life and living arrangement; however, further analysis suggested that …

An Investigation On The Value Of Integrating Mental Health Supports In Education To Build Capacity For Change, Erin Keith

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Current statistics in Ontario show that one in five students suffer from mental health issues (Canada, 2012). Mental health disorders cause significant distress, impairing students’ functioning at school, at home, and in the community (Children’s Mental Health Ontario, 2014). Research has shown that prevention and early intervention strategies targeting students at risk for mental health challenges are beneficial, cost-effective, and reduce the need for more costly, intensive interventions. (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2013). In response to recent Ontario Ministry mental health initiatives (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2006; 2011; 2013), the Peel District School Board, in Ontario, Canada, launched an interprofessional, …

Access To Care And The Impact Of Inequality Among Individuals With A History Of Mental Illness, Heather Atyeo

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Using an Intersectionality framework, a secondary analysis of pre-existing data from the CURA2 Poverty and Social Inclusion study (Forchuk et al., 2010-2015) was used to explore the relationship between experiences of oppression and self-rated health among a cross-section of 293 community dwelling participants with a mental illness. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate the association between self-rated health and social identity (gender, ethnicity, education, homelessness, employment, disability); health care access was tested for both mediating and moderating effects. The final model explained between 18.9-25.2% of the variance in self-rated health; four independent variables made unique statistically significant contributions to …

Beyond Silence: Protocol For A Randomized Parallel-Group Trial Comparing Two Approaches To Workplace Mental Health Education For Healthcare Employees, Sandra Moll, Scott Burton Patten, Heather Stuart, Bonnie Kirsh, Joy Christine Macdermid

Bone and Joint Institute

© 2015 Moll et al.; licensee BioMed Central. Background: Mental illness is a significant and growing problem in Canadian healthcare organizations, leading to tremendous personal, social and financial costs for individuals, their colleagues, their employers and their patients. Early and appropriate intervention is needed, but unfortunately, few workers get the help that they need in a timely way due to barriers related to poor mental health literacy, stigma, and inadequate access to mental health services. Workplace education and training is one promising approach to early identification and support for workers who are struggling. Little is known, however, about what approach …

Regulation Of Crfr1 And 5-Ht2ar By Pdz Domain-Containing Proteins Sap97 And Psd-95, Henry A. Dunn

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Previous studies identified a crosstalk mechanism whereby CRFR1 sensitized 5-HT_2AR-mediated signaling via interactions with PDZ domain-containing proteins: a mechanism that may underlie stress-induced anxiety and depression. This prompted an investigation into uncovering which PDZ domain-containing proteins could regulate the crosstalk between these two receptors, and how they could be regulated individually. In the current studies, a subset of PDZ domain-containing proteins were identified that may interact with CRFR1 and 5-HT_2AR. The focus narrowed to two candidates previously implicated in psychiatric disease: SAP97 and PSD-95. We confirmed SAP97 and PSD-95 as interacting partners of CRFR1 in adult …

Unique Functional Abnormalities In Youth With Combined Marijuana Use And Depression: An Fmri Study, Kristen A. Ford, Michael Wammes, Richard W. Neufeld, Derek Mitchell, Jean Theberge, Peter Williamson, Elizabeth A. Osuch

Anatomy and Cell Biology Publications

Prior research has shown a relationship between early onset marijuana (MJ) use and depression; however, this relationship is complex and poorly understood. Here, we utilized passive music listening and fMRI to examine functional brain activation to a rewarding stimulus in 75 participants [healthy controls (HC), patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), frequent MJ users, and the combination of MDD and MJ (MDD?+?MJ)]. For each participant, a preferred and neutral piece of instrumental music was determined (utilizing ratings on a standardized scale), and each completed two 6-min fMRI scans of a passive music listening task. Data underwent pre-processing and 61 participants …

The Stress Process Model For Community-Dwelling Adults With Mental Disorders, Samantha Davie

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Although stress has been linked to poor mental health outcomes for various populations, less is known about the impact of stress on individuals already diagnosed with mental disorders. Objective: Explore the association between stress and general psychological distress (GPD), using the stress process model. Design: Data were collected in 2011 from community-dwelling adults who have had at least one diagnosed mental disorder for at least one year in their lifetime (n=380), and are cross-sectional in nature. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the association between stress and GPD, with various psychological resources, such as coping, social support, and …

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Other Mental Health Problems, Substance Use And Driving: Examination Of A Population-Based, Representative Canadian Sample, Evelyn R. Vingilis, Robert Mann, Pat Erickson, Maggie Toplak, Nathan Kolla, Jane Seeley, Umesh Jain

Family Medicine Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships among self-reported screening measures of ADHD, other psychiatric problems, and driving-related outcomes in a provincially

representative sample of adults 18 years and older living in the province of Ontario, Canada.

Methods: The study examined the results of the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) Ontario Monitor, an ongoing repeated cross-sectional telephone survey of Ontario adults over a two year period. Measures: ADHD measures (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale-V1.1 (ASRS-V1.1), previous ADHD diagnosis, ADHD medication use); psychiatric distress measures (General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12), pain, anxiety and depression medication use); antisocial …

Children First: It’S Time To Change! Mental Health Promotion, Prevention, And Treatment Informed By Public Health, And Resiliency Approaches, Vicki Schwean, Susan Rodger

Journal Articles

Although the importance of healthy mental development in children and youth is not disputed, the mental health needs of far too many Canadian children are being ignored. Within the context of recent federal and provincial calls for systemic reform of the mental health care systems for children and youth, we underscore the necessity for ongoing innovation, development, education, and evaluation. This article describes our aims to establish demonstration and research sites focused on promising frameworks that draw from systems of care, public health, and resiliency approaches.

Cannabis Use In Cape York Indigenous Communities: High Prevalence, Mental Health Impacts And The Desire To Quit, India Bohanna, Alan R. Clough

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

Anecdotal reports suggest that high rates of cannabis use and dependence are significant issues in Indigenous communities in north Queensland; however, there is little scientific evidence to support or refute this.The Cape York Cannabis Project seeks to investigate cannabis use rates, cannabis dependence and mental health impacts for the first time in three Cape York Indigenous communities.

Mental Disorders And Communication Of Intent To Die In Indigenous Suicide Cases, Queensland, Australia, Diego De Leo, Allison Milner, Jerneja Sveticic

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

In comparing Indigenous to non-Indigenous suicide in Australia, this study focussed on the frequency of the association between some psychiatric conditions, such as depression and alcohol abuse, and some aspect of suicidality, in particular communication of suicide intent. Logistic regression was implemented to analyze cases of Indigenous (n = 471) versus non-Indigenous suicides (n = 6,655), using the Queensland Suicide Register as a data source. Compared to non-Indigenous suicides, Indigenous cases had lower odds of being diagnosed with unipolar depression, seeking treatment for psychiatric conditions or leaving a suicide note. Indigenous suicides had greater odds of verbally communicating suicide intent …

Mental Health Of Indigenous Australians: A Review Of Findings From Community Surveys, Anthony F. Jorm, Sarah J. Bourchier, Stefan Cvetkovski, Gavin Stewart

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

Objective: To assemble what is known about the mental health of Indigenous Australians from community surveys. Data sources: A systematic search was carried out of publications and data sources since 2000 using PubMed, PsycINFO, Australian Medical Index, the National Library of Australia and datasets known to the authors.

Study selection: Surveys had to involve representative sampling of a population, identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and include a measure of mental health.

Data extraction: 11 surveys were found. Data were extracted on prevalence rates for Indigenous people by age and sex, along with comparison data from the general population, …

Psychosis In Indigenous Populations Of Cape York And The Torres Strait, Ernest M. Hunter, Bruce D. Gynther, Carrick J. Anderson, Leigh-Ann L. Onnis, Jeffrey R. Nelson, Wayne Hall, Bernhard T. Baune, Aaron R. Groves

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

Objective: To describe and characterise treated psychotic disorders in the Indigenous populations of Cape York and the Torres Strait.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of patients with a psychotic disorder identified by treating psychiatrists.

Setting and participants: Indigenous patients aged 􏰀 15 years in Cape York and Torres Strait communities receiving treatment for a psychotic disorder over 3 months in 2010.

Main outcome measures: Prevalence of psychosis diagnoses, intellectual disability, and substance use comorbidities.

Results: 171 patients were included. The prevalence rate in this population was 1.68%, higher for males (2.60%) than females (0.89%), and twice as high in the Aboriginal (2.05%) …

Social And Emotional Outcomes Of Australian Children From Indigenous And Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds, Naomi Priest, Jennifer Baxter, Linda Hayes

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

Objectives: 1) profile the living environments and 2) examine the social and emotional outcomes of Australian children from Indigenous and cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds at school entry. Method: Secondary analysis of cross- sectional data collected in Wave 1 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (n=4,735). Child mental-health outcomes were measured using parent report of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results: Significant differences in family and neighbourhood characteristics, including parental income, maternal education, maternal parenting quality and neighbourhood safety, were found in children of Indigenous and CALD backgrounds compared to the reference group of Australian-born, English-speaking children. …

Effectiveness Of The Coping Power Program In A Mexican-American Sample: Distinctive Cultural Considerations, Susan L. O'Donnell, Diomaris E. Jurecska, Robert Dyer

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

This study responds to the challenges associated with delivering culturally sensitive and evidence-based treatment (EBT) to at-risk children. Current research supports group interventions based on the Coping Power Program (CPP) curriculum as EBT for improving the frequency of positive behaviors in children and adolescents. However, the effectiveness of the CPP in a Mexican-American sample has not been explored to date. This study investigated the effectiveness of the CPP delivered as a preventative intervention to Mexican-American adoles- cents in a rural school setting. A major emphasis is put on cultural sensitivity when working with this population. Cultural sensitivity is expressed by …

Beyond Early Intervention, Amresh Srivastava

Psychiatry Presentations

No abstract provided.

Beyond Recovery: Colonization, Health And Healing For Indigenous People In Canada, Lynn F. Lavallee, Jennifer M. Poole

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

How do we limit our focus to mental health when Indigenous teaching demands a much wider lens? How do we respond to mental health recovery when Indigenous experience speaks to a very different approach to healing, and how can we take up the health of Indigenous people in Canada without a discussion of identity and colonization? We cannot, for the mental health and recovery of Indigenous people in Canada have always been tied to history, identity, politics, language and dislocation. Thus, in this paper, our aim is to make clear that history, highlight the impacts of colonization and expound on …

Complexity And Limitations Of Stress-Endocrine Research In Mental Health, Amresh Srivastava

Psychiatry Presentations

No abstract provided.

Suicide In The Northern Territory, 1981–2002, Mary-Anne L. Measey, Shu Qin Li, Robert Parker, Zhiqiang Wang

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

Objective: To examine trends in suicide in the Northern Territory between 1981 and 2002, and demographic and other characteristics of people completing suicide in the Top End region in 2000–2002. Design: Retrospective descriptive analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics death registration data and data from the NT Coroner’s Office.

Setting and participants: All residents of the NT who completed suicide between 1981 and 2002. Main outcome measures: Changes in the age-adjusted and age- and sex-specific rates of suicide in Indigenous and non-Indigenous NT residents over time; prior diagnosis of mental illness and use of alcohol or other drugs by those …