Hope for trauma survivors
The National PTSD Research Centre at UniSC’s Thompson Institute pursues solutions for the 1.4 million Australians living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the many more people living with the impacts of psychological trauma.
The research centre is the first of its kind in Australia, bringing together advanced neuroscience and psychotherapies, to unveil crucial insights into how PTSD and traumatic stress are linked to brain structure and function.
Solving a crucial need
Three-quarters of Australians have experienced at least one traumatic event, such as a threat to life or violence. Early treatment of traumatic stress is vital in preventing potential chronic mental health disorders including anxiety and PTSD.
PTSD is difficult to define, with the list of potential symptoms creating 600,000 ways to meet the criteria for diagnosis. This makes it challenging to identify effective treatments for individuals.
For 70 percent of people with PTSD, conventional treatments and therapies are not effective beyond six months. TGA-approved medicines tend to treat comorbidities of PTSD, such as anxiety and depression, but not the root cause of the disorder.
We need better solutions. We're committed to creating a better future for people and families living with the impacts of PTSD.
Clinical studies
Understanding trauma and its impacts
Our research recognises that to effectively prevent, diagnose and treat PTSD, we need breakthroughs in the neurobiology that underpins the disorder, its causes, and other impacts of traumatic stress.
Early life stress and trauma
We pursue answers to the often lifelong impacts of early life trauma. Current studies:
- Neurobiological underpinnings of early life stress
- Early life stress and anorexia nervosa - how early experiences shape biology, and risk and maintaining factors for anorexia nervosa
Molecular biology
We link the brain and body, and pursue biomarkers that can aid prevention, diagnosis and treatment
Reconsolidation therapy
Reconsolidation therapy is an exciting emerging treatment for PTSD and other psychological impacts of trauma. Developed by Thompson Institute director, Professor Alain Brunet, the therapy is shown to work in 70 percent of cases with virtually no relapse. To advance this treatment’s significant potential to improve lives, we will investigate the neurobiology behind its effectiveness in blocking the brain’s reconsolidation of traumatic memories.
Community support
As we research enduring solutions for the future, we simultaneously deliver evidence-based support for communities today. We put the latest science into practice.
EMERGE disaster recovery program
Developing a program that will support people affected by natural disasters to manage mental health impacts
ENGAGE community resilience program
Working with Noosa, Gympie and Fraser Coast communities affected by flood events
The Alliance for Suicide Prevention - Sunshine Coast
Creating a suicide-safer community, recognising the links between trauma and suicide risk
Our facilities
- Advanced neuroimaging technology, including MRI and EEG
- State-of-the-art treatment rooms and long-stay clinical observation rooms
- Laboratory for molecular biology research
- A dedicated space for a future brain bank, containing donated tissue from people who have passed away (with prior consent)
- A dedicated space for a future Zebrafish facility, which will allow investigation into the epigenetics of PTSD
In the news
National PTSD Research Centre launches in Queensland
UniSC has launched a $18.5 million national hub addressing PTSD, one of Australia’s most pressing mental health issues.
Global PTSD and neuroscience expert to lead Thompson Institute
A clinical psychologist rated as one of the world’s top experts in trauma and stress-related disorders has been appointed to lead the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Thompson Institute and its new National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Centre.