Neurocognitive and social changes associated with unleaded petrol sniffing and abstinence from further sniffing

• Reach:

  NT

• Focus area:

  Indigenous

• Status:

  Completed

• Evaluated:

  No

Overview

The aim of this project (funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council) is to determine what happens to the brain functions in the long term after heavy petrol sniffing and also determine positive and negative impacts on brain function for petrol sniffers to assist in the treatment and intervention of current petrol sniffers. Previous research in this area showed that in petrol sniffers of nearly 10 years with serious neurological damage, there was some evidence of brain function recovery after two years of abstinence from further sniffing. This project will be following up the same sniffers who have now not sniffed for nearly 15 years to determine if there was further recovery in the long term. Any psychological and lifestyle factors that affected long term recovery or sustained impairment among these ex-sniffers will also be investigated. This project ran from 2000-2009.

Abstract adapted from Menzies School of Health Research

Contacts

Dr Sheree Cairney
Senior Research Fellow
Menzies School of Health Research
PO Box 41096
Casuarina NT 0810
Ph: 0438 121 473
Fax: (08) 8927 5187
Email: Sheree.cairney@menzies.edu.au

Links

• View information: Neurocognitive and social changes associated with unleaded petrol sniffing and abstinence from further sniffing
• View website: Menzies School of Health Research