NHMRC supports research into psychotic disorders
University Newcastle PhD student Dr Jayson Jeganathan will investigate the negative symptoms of psychosis after he was awarded a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) 2021 Postgraduate Scholarship.
Impairments in facial expressivity, motivation, and sociality – the ‘negative symptoms’ - are the most debilitating features of psychotic disorders, yet they are inadequately treated.
Dr Jeganathan received a two-year scholarship worth nearly $94,000 to use facial emotion detection algorithms, functional brain imaging, and novel approaches including real-time facial feedback and heart rate feedback, to discover the changes in the brain’s emotional circuits that underlie negative symptoms.
Dr Jeganathan has previously proposed that emotion depends on predictions about internal body sensations like heartrate and predictions about the social consequences of emotional displays, such as whether a conversational partner will mirror one’s smiles or not. This research project will test the theory that abnormal predictions in these areas cause negative symptoms.
More than $7.24m was awarded to 65 outstanding health and medical graduates through NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships.
Related news
- MHF commits landmark $18.9m boost to accelerate brain cancer research
- University of Newcastle staff and alumni recognised in 2026 King’s Birthday Honours
- Cardiovascular grants back researchers tackling heart health
- NSW research trials report outcomes for women's health: pharmacist-led UTI and oral contraceptive services
- Prominent groundwater scientist appointed to lead research and innovation at University of Newcastle
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.