BSI Research Units

Developmental Disorders Research Unit

Unit Leader: Professor David Crewther

Introduction:

The understanding of genetic and congenital disorders of brain and behaviour is of utmost importance to the health of our children and the maximising of their potential. Research at the Brain Sciences Institute has focused on developmental disorders such as dyslexia, amblyopia, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), autism as well as genotypically defined mental retardation in Down syndrome, fragile-X syndrome and velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS).

An integrative approach to understanding such disorders has been taken with a combination of psychometric testing (including the development of new tests), electrophysiological function (VEPs, ERPs, EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Support from the Australian Research Council as well as linkage partners such as the Brain Resource Company have facilitated the research effort. Findings have included impaired change detection in dyslexia, abnormal processes of automatization in dyslexia, M and P pathway function in amblyopia, neuroinformatic profiling of children with and without ADHD.

Key Unit Members:

Name: Professor David Crewther
Role in Unit: Leader.

Name: Sharnel Perera.
Role in Unit: Coordinates ADHD Research,
Contact :
Ph. 9214 4542
Email : sperera@swin.edu.au

Research Unit Members:

Adj. Associate Professor Sheila Crewther

Anita Panayiotou

Ayla Barutchu

Top of Page