Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a persistent childhood disorder that affects about five per cent of children. Symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity at developmentally inappropriate levels. Numerous studies have shown that stimulant medication is the safest and most effective treatment for ADHD. Optimum treatment for ADHD usually requires two to three doses a day, generally administered by parents. But up to 80 per cent of parents frequently fail to give their child the medication as directed by a health professional. Douglas Scoular is examining parents’ beliefs, attitudes and intentions about giving their children stimulant medication for ADHD to determine why parents fail to administer the medication. This research will provide important information on parents’ concerns about administering stimulant medication, help predict which parents will be successful in following the treatment regimen, and ultimately help improve health care providers’ ability to successfully treat children with ADHD.
Research Location: University of British Columbia - Point Grey
The influence of Lipid Transfer Protein I on the binding and transfer of Cyclosporine A between lipoproteins
Mona Kwong’s research focuses on gaining a better understanding of how the body responds to drugs whose molecular structure is similar to that of lipids (fatty, waxy or oily compounds that are major structural components of living cells). Mona is studying cyclosporine, a drug with a lipid-like structure that is used primarily to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients. One of the major potential complications of cyclosporine is that it can behave differently from one patient to the next. For example, a dosage that works for one person may cause toxicity in another. Previous studies have shown a link between patients’ cholesterol levels and their toxicity with the use of cyclosporine. Mona hopes to determine whether lipid transfer protein I and a protein that transports lipids such as cholesterol and is also involved in binding and transporting cyclosporine. A better understanding of this mechanism and the factors that affect it will help provide an explanation for the differences and inconsistencies seen in patients taking cyclosporine. Clinicians could then measure different cholesterol levels in patients, predict the level of cyclosporine that would cause toxicity, and adjust the dosage to prevent adverse side effects
Insights into the molecular interaction within the Hepatitis C virus heterodimeric serine protease: A prime target for therapeutic intervention
An estimated quarter million Canadians are infected with the hepatitis C virus, a chronic disease that inflames and damages the liver and, in some people, can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. There is currently no effective therapy to treat hepatitis C, nor any vaccine to prevent its transmission. Morgan Martin is studying the function of the HCV NS3 protease, an enzyme required for the hepatitis C virus to make copies of itself inside a cell. Morgan hopes to better understand how this interaction works, so she can identify potential ways to interfere with its functioning. This approach, known as protease inhibition, has already proven useful in drug treatment for HIV infection and may lead to new, effective interventions for hepatitis C.
Effect of a training program on postural reflexes in individuals with chronic stroke: A randomized controlled study
Stroke is the number one cause of neurological disability in Canada. Following a stroke, people may experience paralysis, or loss of motor function, in the muscles controlling one side of the body. As a result, people with stroke can have difficulty maintaining balance when standing or walking. In fact, the incidence of falls among people who have had a stroke has been reported as high as 73 per cent within a six-month period following the stroke. Daniel Marigold is conducting the first study to assess whether an exercise program can improve the reflexes that control balance in people with chronic stroke. He will measure postural reflexes before and after a 10-week training program to see if they improve. Study participants will stand on a large platform, which suddenly moves under their feet. A harness will prevent people from falling and electrodes will measure muscle activity. If this study shows improvement in postural reflexes with training, an exercise program could be implemented in the community to help people with chronic stroke.
Mechanisms of reflexive social attention
In her recent research, Jelena Ristic has shown that young children and adults will automatically shift attention to the direction of another person’s gaze. Gaze following behavior emerges shortly after birth, when babies start to follow their parents’ faces and eyes as a cue to interesting events in their surroundings. Consequently, gaze following has been tied to developmental milestones such as language acquisition and social cognitive development. In contrast to healthy children, children affected by social disorders, like autism, show little interest in the human face and often avoid eye contact. Jelena’s current research with healthy children will help identify how developmental milestones are reached and what parts of the brain are responsible for processing of social stimuli. This knowledge may offer a better understanding of human development in general as well as help identify the possible causes of pervasive social disorders such as autism.
The health care experiences of mothers with serious mental illness
Almost one in five British Columbians will experience mental illness during their lifetime and nearly three per cent of the population suffers from severe and persistent mental illness. Research reveals that mothers with serious mental illness face stigma, isolation, poverty, the challenges of single parenthood, problems accessing affordable and safe housing as well as difficulty finding and keeping employment. The health care system has an important role to play in supporting mothers with serious mental illness. But little is known about the policies and services that are effective in supporting women with serious mental illness. Tasnim Nathoo is exploring the health care experiences of mothers with serious mental illness and the barriers they encounter when trying to access support. Tasnim will use this information to develop recommendations on how BC communities can better structure health services to meet the needs of mothers with mental health issues.
Improved assessment of exposure to regional and traffic-related pollutants and relationship to cardiac arrhythmia
Numerous studies over the last decade have associated air pollution with deaths. While many of those studies showed air pollution leads to respiratory disease, some research indicates air pollution-related deaths may involve cardiovascular conditions. The research suggests that people with chronic cardiovascular diseases are particularly susceptible to air pollution’s adverse health effects. Kira Rich is investigating the impact of air pollution on patients with cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rate) who have implanted cardiac defibrillators. The defibrillators record the timing and duration of heart rhythm disturbances, and the data is regularly downloaded. Kira is comparing the information to air pollution data for Greater Vancouver to determine whether increases in air pollution correlate with increased risk of cardiac rhythm disturbances. She is also analyzing exposure to air pollutant concentrations at different sites to measure the effect on cardiac health.
Chemical high-level disinfection in acute care
Most hospital equipment is sterilized by heat or steam after use. But some types of equipment cannot be heat sterilized and must be disinfected using chemical products, which potentially could place employee health at risk. Karen Rideout is surveying BC hospitals and health care centres to assess current practices for using these chemicals. She is focusing on Glutaraldeyde, the most widely used solution in Canadian hospitals to disinfect endoscopy, bronchoscopy, ultrasound, and other equipment. Karen is also examining several new products to assess potential health effects and evaluate whether or not protective measures could reduce these effects. She plans to use this information to develop guidelines for use of disinfectant products, with the goal of making health care environments healthier.
Therapeutic existential experiences during wilderness exposure: Implications for wilderness therapy programs
Mark Ring already holds a PhD in Biochemistry, but his focus shifted recently to work on a degree in the social sciences. He is now researching the therapeutic benefits of exposure to wilderness. Wilderness therapy has been used to help at-risk groups, such as people with mental illness, adolescent alcohol and drug users, adult female survivors of sexual abuse, and war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Programs vary greatly, but include some outdoor adventure activity, from wilderness day trips to three-week hiking and kayaking expeditions. Most research has measured the positive impact of wilderness therapy on self-esteem and ability to interact socially. But participants’ first-hand reports suggest a deeper healing process occurs. Mark is interviewing participants to determine how this experience helps people adapt, live more fully, and find greater meaning in life. He hopes this information can help make wilderness programs more effective at improving participants’ emotional and mental health.
Parent-child interactions in families of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Approximately four percent of children in elementary schools suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This disorder places children at an increased risk for developing problems such as antisocial behaviour, substance abuse and career difficulties. Carla Seipp is examining whether parents’ responsiveness to a child may be an important influence on the risks and impairments associated with ADHD. Carla will compare responsiveness during interactions between mothers and sons with ADHD, and mothers and sons with no behavioural difficulties. By focusing on the family environments of children with ADHD, Carla hopes to identify parenting behaviours that could reduce the risks and impairments associated with the disorder.