Neuroscience & vision research

Researchers at Westmead are investigating the causes of emotional disorders and mental illnesses, as well as visual disorder.

The team uses a combination of imaging technology, molecular biology and epidemiology to gain the information they need to improve the ways we understand and treat these disorders.

Highlights

The Brain Dynamics Centre is at the forefront of research into mental illnesses, and is working on a number of exciting projects in depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These include:

  • A groundbreaking international trial to identify the biological markers for depression, in order to tailor treatments to individual patients
  • A collaborative study with The Children's Hospital at Westmead to assess the earliest indicators of schizophrenia in young patients, in order to target treatments
  • Studying patient's first episode of schizophrenia (usually in adolescence or the early 20s) to determine what changes occur in the brain and how they occur

 

The Centre for Vision Research investigates eye diseases, as well as the roles the eyes play in other disease, such as heart disease and stroke.

  • Researchers have shown that narrowing the tiny vessels that supply blood to the retina is associated with high blood pressure, and have developed a test to measure these vessels in order to identify an increased risk of heart disease
  • In addition, the researchers are studying the link between stroke and the microvasculature of the eye, finding a link between certain microvascular changes and lacuna stroke  
  • In a recent discovery, the team has demonstrated that low birth-weight or premature birth is associated with a narrowing of the retinal arterioles, and indicates that the person experience high blood pressure when they are older
  • Meanwhile, the team is also exploring how genetic and environmental factors work together to cause age-related macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness in Australia

    Please help us in our mission to reduce suffering and save lives. You can make an immediateand positive difference today.

    What a difference volunteering makes

    Imelda has volunteered with Westmead Medical Research Foundation for 4 years and loves to see the difference her work makes to the team.  Read about Imelda's story here >>