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Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders. JULY 2005
The Windows
of the Soul
In Memory of Prof. Neil McConaghy How does schizophrenia
affect the ability to share
O
n Sunday 5th June, many distinguished scientists The three key brain areas
thought to be involved in social
joined Neil’s family at the South Chapel in the
Eastern Suburbs Crematorium to bid goodbye to a much attention and empathy ? cognition: the medial prefrontal
cortex (blue); the temporal poles
loved colleague. Neil was the inspirational researcher (yellow) and the superior
F or some families caring for a temporal sulcus (red).
and teacher who had mentored many in the key group of Right: Brain tissue showing the
scientists who started NISAD, and was one of the first schizophrenia-affected relative, one of infolded surface of the superior
Australian psychiatrists to champion the neuroscientific the most disturbing behavioural effects is temporal sulcus.
techniques which would come to dominate psychiatric the emotional ‘blunting’ or lack of
to arrive at a measure of the gaze direction
research. As Founding Chairman of the Scientific empathy shown by many patients. Some
sensitivity of each group.
Advisory Committee, Neil played a vital role in formulating the structures and parents, for instance, refer to the “glass
Summarising her results, Dr Langdon
procedures which became the foundation of NISAD’s growth into the diverse wall” that has appeared between
reports that, contrary to expectations, the
and internationally recognised institute it is today. themselves and their son or daughter after
schizophrenia subjects were abnormally
onset. Neuroscience refers to this category
over-responsive to the gaze direction of the
of empathetic interpersonal abilities as
image, not under-responsive as predicted.
‘social cognition’, and asserts that it is
This surprising result suggests that the
severely impaired by schizophrenia.
Early Intervention Poster Goes National Ongoing NISAD studies at the
emotional blunting and unresponsiveness
observed in schizophrenia may not be due
University of Newcastle have revealed that
A ustralia’s first schizophrenia early
intervention awareness poster
received an auspicious official launch at
hospitals and doctor’s waiting rooms, the
poster provides full information on
schizophrenia’s early symptoms, how the
schizophrenia subjects and their family
members exhibit abnormal eye scanpaths
to deficits in attention sharing, but rather
to deficits in interpreting the intention of
interpersonal ‘signals’ received from
when viewing emotionally expressive face
the South Sydney Police & Community brain is affected, and what treatments are others.
images, and have suggested that such
Youth Club (PCYC) on 20 May, attended available.
by NISAD Patron and Governor of NSW Thousands of the posters are now
scanpath anomalies could be linked to Feeling what others feel
deficits in social cognition. And at the
Prof. Marie Bashir AC. being distributed to a wide variety of
Speaking from her distinguished
professional background in youth and
venues throughout every State in Australia
with the help of State Branches of the
Macquarie Centre for Cognitive Science, a
NISAD affiliated team is investigating the D r Langdon’s second study was devised
to investigate the degree to which
schizophrenia causes misinterpretation of
remedial effects of training people to
community psychiatric services, Prof. Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia the intentions or emotional states of
deliberately correct these scanpath
Bashir applauded the NISAD initiative (MIFA). These posters carry the single others.
abnormalities.
which will give young onset sufferers contact number of 1800 985 944, which Empathy has been described as the
Now, Dr Robyn Langdon and
a better chance of receiving early connects callers to the MIFA head office in ability to feel an emotional response,
collaborators at the Macquarie Centre for
intervention therapy. their State. Hundreds of additional posters which is more appropriate to someone
Cognitive Science have completed two
At present it is common for young have been distributed by NISAD directly to else’s situation than to one’s own: that is, to
studies* further investigating social
people to develop increasingly severe all Area Health Services in NSW, and many ‘put yourself in another’s shoes’. Dr
cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
schizophrenia symptoms for up to 5 years requests for copies from organisations are Langdon’s method of measuring this ability
after onset without being diagnosed and being received every week.
Many thanks to PCYC manager
The eye of the beholder was to use cartoons of simple emotional
treated. During this delay, symptomatic
thinking and behaviour become
entrenched, often leading to denial and
Samatha Sidwell, Aboriginal Elder Sylvia
Scott, Member for Heffron Kristina D r Langdon’s first study was based on
the hypothesis that schizophrenia’s
social cognitive deficits may be associated
non-compliance when diagnosis and Keneally (representing Minister for Health
treatment are offered. The poster is Morris Iemma), ‘Triple J’ radio presenter with a reduced ability to share attention
designed to alert family members to the Maya Jupiter, and Rabbitoh’s Captain Brian with others, and that this deficit may be
symptoms, and to provide a contact Fletcher for making the launch occasion measured by testing the automatic reflex of
number from where expert advice can be memorable. detecting and following another person’s
gained. The poster, which was funded by NSW change in direction of gaze. Though
Displayed in civic centres, social clubs, Health, can be viewed and downloaded simple, this reflex is a fundamental
corporate workplaces and hotels, as well as from www.nisad.org.au indicator of shared attention.
The experiment involved 30 subjects
with schizophrenia and 24 healthy One of the picture puzzles used to measure research
controls. The test apparatus was a subjects’ ability to interpret the emotional content of
social interactions. Subjects were asked to assign a pair
series of pictures of facial expressions (A, B or C) to each frame of the
flashed on a com- cartoon strip above. The correct sequence is C, A, B.
puter screen of a
situations; to blank out the facial
female head which
expressions of the characters involved, and
looked either right or
to ask study subjects to choose which
left, before a ‘target’
facial expressions matched each frame of
red star appeared in
the cartoon.
one of the empty
After comparing the results of 22
boxes shown in each
schizophrenia-affected subjects and 18
side. The interval
healthy controls, it was found that
between the head
schizophrenia subjects scored significantly
turning right/left
L-R: NISAD Executive Director Debbie Willcox with NISAD Patron Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC, lower than controls in choosing correct
Governor of NSW, and poster designer Alan Tunbridge. Right: Member for Heffron Kristina Keneally. and the appearance
facial expressions, and that the lowest
of the target was
scores were recorded by those with the
varied from 100 to 800 milliseconds.
longest duration of illness.
Subjects were asked to simply click the
This study provides the first direct
space bar on the keyboard as soon as
empirical evidence that schizophrenia
possible after seeing the target star. By
impairs the ability to attribute emotions
varying the head turn direction, the speed
appropriately on the basis of how another
of change in the sequence of images, and
person is likely to be feeling in specific
recording the speed of space bar clicks, the
circumstances.
research team was able to assess how much
each subject was distracted by the gaze * Langdon R, Coltheart M, Ward P. Cognitive
Neuropsychiatry (in press 2005)
direction of the central head. * Langdon R, Corner T, McLaren J, Coltheart M, Ward P.
Subject’s ‘scores’ were then processed Neuropsychologia (in press 2005)
INSIDE I Volunteers Make a Difference...... I Mice on Medication...... I APRN: The Birth of Nationwide Psychosis Research......
IVE DIRECTOR FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FROM THE EXECUTIVE Rotary Enables Research Volunteers to
Make a Difference
NISAD connects volunteers,
brain donors and DNA
donors into a new force for
research.
P rior to NISAD's inception in 1996, very
little schizophrenia research was
happening in NSW, largely due to the
dearth of bedrock research resources such
as volunteer patients and post-mortem
brain tissue. That's why NISAD's first
priority was to establish the Schizophrenia
At the NISAD poster launch. L-R: Executive Director Debbie Willcox, NISAD Patron Her Excellency Prof. Marie Bashir
AC, and South Sydney PCYC Manager Samantha Sidwell . Research Register, and the 'Gift of Hope'
Tissue Donor Program. Since then, the
DNA Bank has been added to complete the
Institute's set of basic research resources.
With the support of the Schizophrenia
Fellowship of NSW and successful TV
appeals, the Register, 'Gift of Hope' and
DNA Bank programs have now enrolled NISAD Research Officer Lisa Azzizi conducts a friendly
close to 1,500 volunteers. These volunteers interview with a volunteer.
include a mix of patients, their family volunteers are still waiting to be
members and people with no medical interviewed.
connection to schizophrenia. In order to facilitate the
Many thanks to Members of Botany Bay Rotary Club. The unique differences processing of the backlog of existing
between individuals registrants, as well as the constant stream
Botany Bay Rotary of new volunteers, NISAD has used a
Interviewing each person to
answers the question record their details, including
$60,000 grant from the
Australian Rotary Health
T he question was, “How can we help
NISAD?” Botany Bay Rotarians
answered it by organising a Trivia Night in
such information as individual
and family medical history, is an
essential part of making every
Research Fund together with
additional funding from the
Institute to employ two new
October at Mascot RSL for 130 members. A volunteer's contribution as Clinical Assessment Officers -
great night was enjoyed by all, raising valuable as possible. Dr Sarah Russell and Gali
NISAD banners outside Sydney Tower. $3,000 for NISAD’s research. These assessments help to Lawrence.
'characterise' the research Later in 2005 NISAD will
Flying the Flag in the Telstra Makes the performance, brain tissue or DNA be investing more funds in
City Centre Connection provided by volunteers. Because
the essence of the research is to
staff and infrastructure to
ensure the ongoing success of
G enerously sponsored by Macquarie
Bank, NISAD marked Schizophrenia
Awareness Week 15-21 May by displaying
A s part of the Schizophrenia Awareness
Week campaign, Telstra generously
detect differences between
groups of individuals, and
these vital research resource
programs.
allowed NISAD to set up information identify their causes. The more
bright red banners in Pitt Street Mall
booths in the foyers of their Sydney Pitt information researchers have How you can help
and Philip Street. Many thanks to the City
and Elizabeth Street buildings, and in their about each participant or donor, find the answer
of Sydney, and Screengraphics Printing for
Exhibition Street office in Melbourne. Over the more powerful the research A new brochure has been produced
their contributions.
1,200 staff received literature and a copy of results will be. appealing for volunteers for all three
the Early Intervention Poster. Many thanks Due to the overwhelming interest and NISAD infrastructure programs. So if you
to key Telstra organisers Cherry Parker and support from the community, the would like to make a difference to the
Emma Reid. successful recruitment of such a large progress of schizophrenia research, just
number of volunteers has outstripped the call (02) 9295 8407 to have a copy mailed
resources that NISAD has been able to to you, or simply log on to
provide to support the programs. www.nisad.org.au to read about the pro-
Therefore around half of the registered grams and download a Registration Form.
The Chair goes to the eventually appointed to the Chair will be
prominent in this field.
University of......... The next question was about where the
At Parliament House L-R: TRC Data Systems Manager Chair should be located, and discussions
Donna Sheedy, Helen Blake and TRC Director Prof.
Clive Harper.
Management at Telstra’s Pitt Street office take a keen
A t the ‘Spark of Genius’ event held last
year the NSW Minister for Health
were held with a number of potential host
institutions before arriving at a short list of
Recognition for TRC interest in NISAD literature: Roy Watman, Mary
Mallioatakis, Perry Tsiamouslis, Tim Jenson and Cherry
Morris Iemma MP announced a recurrent
annual grant of $0.5M
three: the University of New South
Wales/Prince of Wales Medical Research
Volunteer Helen Parker.
to NISAD to establish Institute, University of Newcastle, and
Australia’s first University University of Sydney.
H elen Blake has been working as a
volunteer administrator at the NSW
Tissue Resource Centre (TRC) for two days
Chair of Schizophrenia
Research - with an
At the 13 July Board meeting, the
Directors of NISAD accepted the
additional commitment conjoint proposal of the
a week over the past three years. Her
to underwrite a further University of NSW/POWMRI,
generous contribution was recognised at a
$0.5M p.a. of fundrais- and announced that this
NSW Parliament House occasion in May,
ing efforts for the Chair. university will host and
where Minister for Charities Grant
Consultation
McBride presented her with a certificate. co-support the Chair and
immediately began with
Helen continues to work for the ‘Using Our his/her research team. It is
NISAD’s senior scientists
Brains’ donor program, which operates expected that this team will
to determine the field of
alongside NISAD’s ‘Gift of Hope’ First thing in the morning, NISAD’s Lee Drury
constitute a new and powerful centre
research expertise in which the
brain donor program. ambushes Telstra’s Ian Tyrrell - but all in a good cause. for schizophrenia research
Chair should be active, and in
in Australia.
which institute or university it
NISAD, the University of
Members of The NISAD Society should be based.
NSW and the Prince of Wales
In August the NISAD Board
will soon receive their invitations to the exclusive 2005
approved the proposal that the Chair Medical Research Institute will
Cocktails & Consciousness event - to be held at The now work in partnership on the interna-
Garvan Institute on 20 October. If you’ve been thinking should specialise in developmental neuro-
about joining, please do so before the end of September biology of behaviour and cognition – a field tional search for the scientist who will
so that yourself and three of your guests can join us for which includes the very latest occupy Australia’s first University Chair in
an inspirational evening! Just call (02) 9295 8407. technological developments in genetics Schizophrenia Research. The position is
and tissue-based research. Whoever is expected to be filled in early 2006.
Page 2. HeadLines. July 2005.
How Medications Alter Genes APRN - The Birth of a National
NISAD’s Dr Albert Chetcuti Program for Psychosis Research
an inherited genetic alteration have an
abnormality present in the DNA of
uses mice to explore how virtually all their body cells, which can be
drugs affect human genes. NISAD Founding Chairman
passed on to their offspring. More than
4,000 diseases are thought to stem from Prof. Stan Catts rallies
A lthough each cell in the human body
contains a full complement of genes
contained in DNA, cells use genes
genes inherited from parents.
Acquired changes in the profile of gene support for a national effort
expression, however, affect which cells against psychotic disorders.
selectively. Many genes encode proteins
express which genes, and how strongly a
that are unique to a particular kind of cell
particular gene is expressed. A major
and that give the cell its character - making
a brain cell, say, different from a bone cell.
influence on the pattern of gene expression
is due to a variety of environmental causes.
I n 1992 Prof. Stan Catts initiated and
coordinated the movement of scientists
and family members which resulted in the
A normal cell activates or ‘expresses’ just
Some medicines which are known to incorporation of NISAD in 1996. In 2000 he
the genes it needs to do its particular job,
improve diseases of specific organs can do stepped down as Chairman to continue as
and actively suppresses all the rest.
so by causing changes in the levels of a NISAD Director while working as
A healthy body and brain depend on
expression of genes affecting Professor of Hospital and Community
the continuous interplay of
those organs. These genes can be Psychiatry at Royal Brisbane Hospital.
thousands of proteins, acting Prof. Stan Catts and the
identified by taking a tissue Since then, says Prof. Catts, Australia Myer Foundation funded
sample of the organ and has developed world class research centres Report which forms the
blueprint for nationally
comparing its genetic profile in the neurosciences and genetics, often integrated research.
with profiles from normal co-located with mental health clinical
healthy organs. When the organ services. But despite these favourable create a critical mass of technical and
is the brain, and the functional conditions for a major national research clinical infrastructure; promote standardis-
deficits are mental illnesses, effort into the causes of psychosis, there is ation of measurement across research
however, such ‘live’ tissue currently little coordination or strategic centres; support multi-centre studies of
samples cannot be obtained – direction of the skills and resources now large representative clinical cohorts and
making the task of identifying the available. their long term follow-up; enable
affected genes doubly complex. In a 50-page Report submitted to the integration of research databases
Myer Foundation last year, Prof. Catts nationally, and establish multi-disciplinary
Enter the Mouse
outlined the urgent need for large scale meeting processes for scientific exchange.”
Fortunately, the genetic profiles of studies: Proposals and budgets for seven major
mice are almost the same as human “Currently, more than 70 percent of the research initiatives, involving up to 3,000
profiles. That’s why ‘animal studies’ are an disability associated with psychosis is subjects, were endorsed by 83 eminent
expanding feature of worldwide genetic completely untreatable. Virtually all our scientists from every State in Australia.
research into mental illness. treatments are non-specific – only research The Myer Foundation has awarded a
At the NISAD Centre for Molecular can offer the prospect of targeted treatments grant of $80,000 to Prof. Catts for the
Brain Research within the Garvan Institute, that act on specific brain systems.” purpose of gaining support for the APRN
Dr Albert Chetcuti has been investigating The Report called for the establish- concept from Federal and State govern-
the genetic effects of the widely prescribed ment of an Australian Psychosis Research ments, the corporate sector, and consumer
bipolar disorder mood-stabilising drug Network (APRN) which would provide advocacy groups – and of developing the
valproate by comparing the genetic direction and coordination: funding sources and structures necessary
profiles of treated and untreated mice.* “This nationally coordinated effort will for its full implementation.
Dr Chetcuti has identified 11 genes in
the treated mice which exhibit altered
levels of expression, and many of these
genes are known to be involved in the
development and functioning of the brain.
This research uses the beneficial
effects of medication as clues to help
Very similar to mouse DNA, the human DNA molecule identify the genetic abnormalities which
is a long strand made up of the four chemical bases produce the illness.
adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C) and guanine (G)
arranged in varied sequence. Certain thousands-long
sequences of A,T,C,G in the strand are active genes -
Dr Chetcuti is now mobilising the
experience gained from his study of
St. George Foundation
coded instructions that allow cells to make proteins,
which are the building blocks of the body.
valproate in a new ‘animal’ study Funds a Schizophrenia
targeting anti-psychosis medication.
together in just the right amounts and in When combined with the results of
Research First
just the right places - and each properly
functioning protein is the product of an
intact gene.
other such studies, Dr Chetcuti’s work aims
to provide new insight into the genetic I n 2002, Dr Katerina Zavitsanou and
colleagues in NISAD’s University of
Wollongong centre published their
causes of psychotic disorders.
But genes can be altered in many ways. findings of increased levels of glutamate
Genetic abnormalities can be either * Chetcuti A, Adams LJ, Mitchell PB, Schofield PR. neurotransmitters in the anterior cingulate
Altered gene expression in mice treated with the mood
inherited from a parent or acquired from stabiliser sodium valproate. International Journal of
cortex (ACC) of schizophrenia-affected
environmental sources. Individuals with Neuropsychopharmacology (in press) brains. As glutamate is the primary
trigger of excitatory brain activity, and the NISAD’s Beta-Imager at the University of Wollongong
reveals a 40% increase of glutamate NMDA neurore-
ACC plays a fundamental role in cognition ceptors in the PCC of schizophrenia brain tissue (left)
Prof. Loris Chahl and attention, these findings were a highly
significant addition to the growing body of
as compared with tissue from healthy donors (right).
percent increase in NMDA neuroreceptors
steps down evidence that such abnormal excitatory
activity in the ACC played a key role in
in the schizophrenia brain tissue.
This is the first time a selective
A founding member of NISAD’s schizophrenia. increase in NMDA receptors has been
scientific team retires. Dysfunction in the ACC has been demonstrated in the posterior cingulate
directly linked to disorders such as cortex in schizophrenia.
P rof. Loris Chahl’s distinguished career
in neuroscience research at the
University of Newcastle did not include
obsessive-compulsive and bipolar, as
well as to depression, autism and
Together with the earlier ACC study,
this evidence of increased glutamate
schizophrenia. All evidence indicates this
schizophrenia studies until NISAD’s initial densities in two regions of the cingulate
brain area as a key ‘accident black spot’ in
advocacy drew her attention to the urgent cortex strongly indicates a source of
the brain’s busy pathways.
need. Since then Loris has become one of dysfunction that could alter activity in
Led by NISAD scholar Kelly Newell, a
the Institute’s strongest supporters. At Newcastle, L-R: NISAD Scientific Director Prof. further study* at Wollongong has explored related brain circuits and result in
Initiated in 1998, NISAD’s Newcastle Vaughan Carr, Prof. Loris Chahl, and NISAD Research abnormal information processing.
Manager Daren Draganic. whether the abnormal glutamate activity
centre was the first to specialise in found in the ACC is also present in the The St. George Foundation has added a
neurobiological research, and has since Following her retirement Loris will further $10,000 to the $75,000 provided for
posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). The PCC
grown to include 10 researchers and to continue her schizophrenia studies as the St.George Foundation Schizophrenia
tissue from schizophrenia and control
become one of NISAD’s most productive Conjoint Professor in the School of subjects was examined for the binding of Research Scholarship - which has funded
groups. Throughout this period, Loris was Biomedical Sciences - an honorary three kinds of glutamate receptors; NMDA, Kelly Newell’s research.
always on hand to support NISAD’s cause, position. As a hobby? Helping her AMPA and kainate. *Newell K, Zavitsanou K, Huang XF. Differential
daughter run a furniture hire business alterations of ionotropic glutamatergic receptors in the
supervising a number of NISAD postdoc- The results showed no difference in posterior cingulate cortex in schizophrenia.
toral scientists and PhD students. called 'Keeping up Appearances'! AMPA or kainate, but a highly significant 40 Neuroreport (in press 2005)
Page 3. HeadLines. July 2005.
..............Profile of a NISAD Scientist.............. Fatty Acids and Brain Signals
Dr. Irina Dedova Two Wollongong University The study found that high levels of
arachidonic acid and other fatty acids that
Tissue Resource Centre (TRC) Coordinator studies investigate the enhance anandamide function were
abnormally low levels of fatty
A
s a part of the NSW TRC team, I deal with the brain
tissue used in research. I oversee its collection at the
time of death, then its careful dissection and storage, and
acids in schizophrenia brain
associated with lower levels of nervous
tension-stress, but only in the former
cannabis users.
its distribution to other researchers, both nationally and
and red cell membranes At the same time, high levels of linoleic
internationally.
I am also directly involved in research, the main
focus of which is on the effects of schizophrenia and
E ssential fatty acids play an important
role in neural membrane structure
and function, influencing the activity of
acid, a fatty acid that is abundant in diet,
were strongly associated with higher levels
of nervous tension-stress - again, only in
antipsychotic medications on human brain ‘proteome’ - a range of neural chemical signalling former cannabis users.
which is the term used for all of the proteins in the brain. systems in the brain. These results suggest that fatty acids
All the schizophrenia brain tissues available for research These polyunsaturated fatty acids are may aid cannabis-using individuals with
comes from patients who have used antipsychotic medication, so it is important (and divided up into the two families of omega- schizophrenia to cope with stress. While
very difficult) to distinguish changes in the brain proteome caused by medications 6 (found in cereals, eggs, poultry, most promising from the point of view of
from those caused by the illness itself. vegetable oils, whole-grain breads, baked developing pharmacological and/or
goods, and margarine) and omega-3 dietary interventions which may help
What does NISAD mean to you? Great people, great cause, excellent team work and
(found in oily cold-water fish and fresh protect stabilised patients from relapse,
exciting research! seaweed). Abnormally low levels of both further research with larger numbers is
What got you interested in researching schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is not only types are associated with schizophrenia. needed.
affecting the lives of patients but also their families and the general community. An
opportunity to help someone and change someone's life for the better is the most
Fatty acids, stress and cannabis How fats affect rats
exciting thing about researching schizophrenia.
What is the most difficult thing about research? For me, the most difficult thing A preliminary study led by Sharon
Monterrubio at Wollongong has
investigated the relationship between fatty
I n another Wollongong study**, Teresa du
Bois and colleagues have been looking at
the influence of different fat diets in rats:
about research is critical thinking. You have to question what you read and not take
acids, cannabis use and stress in focusing on how different levels of fat
anything for granted. You have to question yourself and try not to be overexcited
schizophrenia. This line of research was consumption affect muscarinic acetyl-
about your results!
inspired by evidence that cerebrospinal choline receptor binding levels, which are
If you were not a scientist, what would you be doing? I have always been involved in fluid levels of anandamide (a neurotrans- involved in normal cognition, mood and
research. I believe that no matter what I did, I still would end up being a scientist! mitter formed from an omega-6 fatty acid) motor functioning.
What do you do when not researching? My Dachshund ‘Doonya’ (she is the best!), were abnormally high in patients with Rats were fed on either a saturated
family, friends, and sports. schizophrenia. Anandamide is known to fat, omega-6 polyunsaturated fat, omega-3
affect the stress-regulating cannabinoid polyunsaturated fat or low fat diet.
system, and higher levels are associated Examination of the post-mortem brains
Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders with reduced symptoms.
In addition, cannabinoid (CB1)
showed that, compared to the low fat
intake group, only the group fed omega-6
Patron: Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir AC, Governor of NSW
receptor levels have been found to be polyunsaturated fats showed a reduction
S P O N S O R S A N D M A J O R S U P P O RT E R S 2 0 0 4 - 2 0 0 5 F Y elevated in post-mortem brains from in the density of acetylcholine
3-YEAR GOLD SPONSORSHIP SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS patients. In this context, the possible muscarinic receptors.
($25,000 per year for 3 years) relationship between fatty acid levels, These results suggest that a diet high in
Individuals
• Mrs Margarete Ainsworth anandamide levels, alterations in stress omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids may
• Mrs Kate Armati
• Janssen-Cilag selectively alter neurotransmission activity
• Justice Graham Barr mechanisms and cannabis use by
• Macquarie Bank Foundation
• Mr Robert Benkhauser individuals with schizophrenia was in rat brains. Similar effects in humans
• St. George Foundation
• Mr & Mrs Tony & Alison Dickin
• Tony Bleasdale & Associates investigated. have yet to be investigated.
• Mr Doug Hawkins
• Westfield Design and Construction • Mr Thomas Henley Fatty acid levels were measured in red
• Mr David Hook blood cell membranes of 12 clozapine- *Monterrubio S, Solowij N, Meyer B, Turner N. Fatty
3-YEAR SILVER SPONSORSHIP acid relationships in former cannabis users with
($10,000 per year for 3 years) • Mr Abraham James medicated patients. Six had never used schizophrenia. Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology
• Australand Holdings Ltd • Mr Thomas Jucovic QC and Biological Psychiatry (in press)
• Mr N Lees
cannabis, and six had stopped using
• Baulderstone Hornibrook
• Ron & Peggy Bell Foundation • Mr N Minogue cannabis more than six months prior to the **du Bois T, Bell W, Deng C, Huang XF. A high n-6
polyunsaturated fatty acid diet reduces muscarinic
• Mr Clem Morfuni study. Stress levels were also measured M2/M4 receptor binding in the rat brain. The Journal of
3-YEAR BRONZE SPONSORSHIP • Mrs Irene Moss
($5,000 per year for 3 years)
using standardised questionnaires. Chemical Neuroanatomy 2005; 29: 282-288.
• Mrs Frances Powell
• AbiGroup Contractors • Mr & Mrs Bryan & Fiona Shedden
• Chubb Fire Safety
• Leighton Holdings Clubs
• Lundbeck Australia • ARAFMI Cowra Branch Irene Kwong Moss AO
• Paynter Dixon Constructions • East Maitland Beresfield Lioness Club
• Leagues Clubs Association of NSW Joined the NISAD Board in April, bringing a wealth of
WORKPLACE GIVING PROGRAMS • Roseville Returned Servicemen's Memorial experience from her distinguished career, which has
• ABN AMRO Club encompassed appointments as Commissioner, Independent
• Deutsche Bank • Rotary Clubs of Botany Bay and Picton
• Insurance Australia Group (IAG)
Commission Against Corruption (1999-2004), Ombudsman
• Wollongong City Council Corporations NSW (1995-1999), Magistrate (1994-1995) and Federal Race
• Australian Charities Fund Discrimination Commissioner, Human Rights and Equal
SCIENTIFIC GRANTS • AW Edwards Builders & Contractors
• Australian Rotary Health Research Fund • Awesome Screen Printing Opportunity Commission (1986-1995). Irene is currently a
Irene Kwong Moss AO
• National Alliance for Research on • Bristol-Myers Squibb Consultant to the Minister for Justice of NSW.
Schizophrenia and Depression (USA) • Hungerford Hill
• J S Love Trust • Qantas Dr. Marion Kellenbach
• Alma Hazel Eddy Trust • Ramrod Constructions
• Baxter Charitable Foundation • Tyrrell's Wines Appointed in March at NISAD’s Central Office, working with
• Sylvia & Charles Viertel Foundation Research Manager Daren Draganic on coordinating an
Baulderstone Fundraising Golf Day
MAJOR SUPPORTERS • Australand • Axis Plumbing • Baratech ever-expanding program of research projects, grant applications
• AMP • Baylin Industries • City East Carpentry and staff management. Marion has a substantial research and
• ASX-Reuters Charity Foundation • Coates Hire • Commercial & Residential publication background in cognitive neuroscience, both in
• Bovis Lend Lease at Macarthur Square Waterproofing • De Martin & Gasparini
• Deno's Cranes • Groedel Kitchens Holland and the UK.
• Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Marion Kellenbach
Union (CFMEU) • Heyday • Impact Scaffolding • Lidco
• KMPG Audit & Risk Advisory Services • Linddales • Melrose Cranes and Rigging
• Lifework Foundation • Metrotex Painters & Decorators • NSW
EFY APPEAL JUST SHORT OF FUNDING A
• QBE Insurance
• Telstra Friends
IN MEMORIAM
• Mrs Florence Maggs
Tiling Services • Perform Framework
• Petar Zlatar Partitions • Peter Favetti &
Sons • Premier Plumbing Services • Ramrod
Construction Services • Ward Civil &
Engineering • Wastecorp • Zenith Works
YOUNG SCIENTIST SCHOLARSHIP
NK YOU!
Mailed to HeadLines readers in June, NISAD’s appeal needs to raise $30,000 for the
HA
• The Bandy Family first year of a 3-year PhD Scholarship which would enable a young scientist to
NISAD Society Members specialise in schizophrenia research. The generous response has been the best ever
• The Jensen Family
• The Pailthorpe Family
• The Snow Family
• To the 71 people who have joined
The NISAD Society - Thank you!
NISAD IS SUPPORTED BY NSW HEALTH T recorded, but is still short of the target. So if you have forgotten to send your
donation, please remember! And join all the other contributors who will be kept
informed of the young scientist’s progress over the three years.
To include yourself on the mailing list to receive free HeadLines, call (02) 9295 8407.
NISAD, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010. Fax: (02) 9295 8415 Web: www.nisad,org.au
HeadLines is written, designed and produced by NISAD Communications Director Alan Tunbridge.
The opinions expressed in HeadLines do not necessarily represent the views of all NISAD’s participating scientists.
