Overview
Background
Cognitive and decision-making problems associated with psychotic disorders like schizophrenia are considered the largest burden for these individuals. They also predict poor functional outcomes, such as maintaining work, social networks, and independent living. I am particularly interested in the relationship between decision-making problems and psychotic symptoms in these disorders; will improving decision-making also reduce psychotic symptoms? To that end, I focus on decision-making tasks that are reliant on brain areas and networks that are implicated in psychosis.
My work aims to understand how corticostriatal circuitry drives decision-making processes, and how this is altered in those with schizophrenia and psychosis. I have taken advantage of my collaborations with basic scientists and clinical researchers with a broad range of expertise to establish a cross-species program of research focussed on decision-making. My research is guided by two fundamental questions:
- Do decision-making problems in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders contribute to psychotic symptoms?
- How can we leverage the mechanistic tools available in rodent neuroscience to identify causative common substrates underlying decision-making problems (and by proxy psychotic symptoms)?
Availability
- Dr James Kesby is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Psychosis and decision-making in schizophrenia: role of the associative striatum
What are the underlying neurobiological processes that preceed psychosis in schizophrenia? I am interested in dopaminergic/glutamatergic dysfunction in the associative striatum and how it affects decision-making, so that we can improve diagnosis/treatment in schizophrenia.
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The role of early dopamine development in schizophrenia
In collaboration with Professor Darryl Eyles, we are trying to ascertain how early dopamine dysfunction can increase the risk of, or lead to, psychosis and schizophrenia.
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Methamphetamine dependence: how different use patterns affect neurochemistry and cognition
The use patterns of methamphetamine-dependent subjects (i.e., chronic use versus binge use) is rarely considered in clinical studies. My work aims to determine how these patterns of use differentially affect cognitive and neurochemical outcomes.
Works
Search Professor James Kesby’s works on UQ eSpace
2012
Journal Article
Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters MK-801-induced behaviours in adult offspring
Kesby, James P., O'Loan, Jonathan C., Alexander, Suzanne, Deng, Chao, Huang, Xu-Feng, McGrath, John J., Eyles, Darryl W. and Burne, Thomas H. J. (2012). Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters MK-801-induced behaviours in adult offspring. Psychopharmacology, 220 (3), 455-463. doi: 10.1007/s00213-011-2492-0
2012
Conference Publication
Prenatal vitamin D deficiency alters dopamine and glutamate metabolism in rat brain
Burne, Thomas H., Kesby, James P., Turner, Karly, Suzy, Alexander, McGrath, John J. and Eyles, Darryl W. (2012). Prenatal vitamin D deficiency alters dopamine and glutamate metabolism in rat brain. 3rd Biennial Schizophrenia International Research Conference, Florence, Italy, 14-18 April 2012. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier.
2011
Journal Article
The effects of vitamin D on brain development and adult brain function
James Kesby, Eyles, Darryl, Burne, Thomas H.J. and McGrath, John J. (2011). The effects of vitamin D on brain development and adult brain function. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 347 (1-2), 121-127. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2011.05.014
2010
Journal Article
Long-term losses of amygdala corticotropin-releasing factor neurons are associated with behavioural outcomes following neonatal hypoxia-ischemia
Carty, Michelle L., Wixey, Julie A., Kesby, James, Reinebrant, Hanna E., Colditz, Paul B., Gobe, Glenda and Buller, Kathryn M. (2010). Long-term losses of amygdala corticotropin-releasing factor neurons are associated with behavioural outcomes following neonatal hypoxia-ischemia. Behavioural Brain Research, 208 (2), 609-618. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.01.007
2010
Other Outputs
The impact of developmental vitamin D deficiency on brain neurochemistry and behaviour in Sprague-Dawley rats
James Kesby (2010). The impact of developmental vitamin D deficiency on brain neurochemistry and behaviour in Sprague-Dawley rats. PhD Thesis, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland.
2010
Journal Article
Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters dopamine-mediated behaviors and dopamine transporter function in adult female rats
Kesby, James P, Cui, Xiaoying, O'Loan, Jonathan, McGrath, John J, Burne, Thomas HJ and Eyles, Darryl W (2010). Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters dopamine-mediated behaviors and dopamine transporter function in adult female rats. Psychopharmacology, 208 (1), 159-168. doi: 10.1007/s00213-009-1717-y
2010
Conference Publication
Developmental vitamin D deficiency (DVD) and brain dopamine ontogeny
Eyles, Darryl, Cui, Xiaoying, Pelekanos, Matt, Kesby, James, Burne, Tom and McGrath, John (2010). Developmental vitamin D deficiency (DVD) and brain dopamine ontogeny. 2nd Schizophrenia International Research Society Conference, Florence, Italy, 10-14 April 2010. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2010.02.195
2009
Journal Article
Developmental vitamin D deficiency causes abnormal brain development
Eyles, Darryl, Cui, Xiaoying, Kesby, James, Harms, Lauren, Ko, Pauline, McGrath, John J. and Burne, Thomas H.J. (2009). Developmental vitamin D deficiency causes abnormal brain development. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34 (Supplement 1), S247-S257. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.04.015
2009
Journal Article
Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters dopamine turnover in neonatal rat forebrain
Kesby, James P., Cui, Xiaoying, Ko, Pauline, McGrath, John J., Burne, Thomas H. J. and Eyles, Darryl W. (2009). Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters dopamine turnover in neonatal rat forebrain. Neuroscience Letters, 461 (2), 155-158. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.05.070
2009
Conference Publication
Developmental vitamin D deficiency (DVD) and brain dopamine ontogeny
Eyles, Darryl, Cui, X., Pelekanos, M., Kesby, J., Burne, T. and McGrath, J. (2009). Developmental vitamin D deficiency (DVD) and brain dopamine ontogeny. 12th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research, San Diego, CA, United States, 28 March-1 April 2009. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
2009
Conference Publication
Developmental vitamin D deficiency (DVD) and brain dopamine ontogeny
Eyles, D., Cui, X., Pelekanos, M., Kesby, J., Burne, T. and McGrath, J. (2009). Developmental vitamin D deficiency (DVD) and brain dopamine ontogeny. 17th EPA Congress, Lisbon, Portugal, January 2009. Paris, France: Elsevier Masson.
2009
Conference Publication
Developmental Vitamin D Deficiency (DVD)and brain dopamine ontogeny
Eyles, D., Cui, X., Pelekanos, M., Kesby, J., Burne, T. and McGrath, J. (2009). Developmental Vitamin D Deficiency (DVD)and brain dopamine ontogeny. 12th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research, San Diego, CA, United States, 28 March - 01 April 2009. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford Universit Press.
2008
Journal Article
Olfactory mucosa is a potential source for autologous stem cell therapy for Parkinson's disease
Murrell, Wayne, Wetzig, Andrew, Donnellan, Michael, Féron, François, Burne, Tom, Meedeniya, Adrian, Kesby, James, Bianco, John, Perry, Chris, Silburn, Peter and Mackay-Sim, Alan (2008). Olfactory mucosa is a potential source for autologous stem cell therapy for Parkinson's disease. Stem Cells, 26 (8), 2183-2192. doi: 10.1634/stemcells.2008-0074
2008
Conference Publication
Developmental vitamin D deficiency in the rat induces a sexually dimorphic delayed onset in sensitivity to MK-801
Kesby, J., O'Loan, J. C., McGrath, J. J., Eyles, D. W. and Burne, T. H. J. (2008). Developmental vitamin D deficiency in the rat induces a sexually dimorphic delayed onset in sensitivity to MK-801. 21st Congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, Barcelona, Spain, 30 August - 3rd September 2008. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0924-977X(08)70354-7
2007
Journal Article
Hyperserotonaemia and reduced brain serotonin in NaS1 sulfate transporter null mice
Lee, S., Kesby, J., Muslim, M. D., Steane, S. E., Eyles, D., Dawson, P. A. and Markovich, D. (2007). Hyperserotonaemia and reduced brain serotonin in NaS1 sulfate transporter null mice. NeuroReport, 18 (18), 1981-1985. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0b013e3282f22998
2007
Journal Article
Vitamin D deficiency during various stages of pregnancy in the rat: Its impact on development and behavior in adult offspring
O'Loan, Jonathan, Eyles, Darryl W., Kesby, James, Ko, Pauline, McGrath, John J. and Burne, Thomas H. J. (2007). Vitamin D deficiency during various stages of pregnancy in the rat: Its impact on development and behavior in adult offspring. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 32 (3), 227-234. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2006.12.006
2007
Conference Publication
Developmental vitamin D deficiency, postnatal development and adult behaviour in Sprague-Dawley rats
Burne, T. H., O'Loan, J., Kesby, J., McGrath, J. J. and Eyles, D. W. (2007). Developmental vitamin D deficiency, postnatal development and adult behaviour in Sprague-Dawley rats. 10th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research, Savannah, GA, United States, 02-06 April 2005. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
2007
Conference Publication
Developmental vitamin D deficiency; A candidate risk factor for schizophrenia
Eyles, DW, Burne, T, Cui, X, Kesby, J, Ko, P and McGrath, J (2007). Developmental vitamin D deficiency; A candidate risk factor for schizophrenia. 10th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research, Savannah GA, APR 02-06, 2005. OXFORD: OXFORD UNIV PRESS.
2006
Conference Publication
Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters adult behaviour: An informative animal model of schizophrenia
Burne, T. H. J., Kesby, J., OLoan, J., McGrath, J. J., Mackay-Sim, A. and Eyles, D. W. (2006). Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters adult behaviour: An informative animal model of schizophrenia. XIIIth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia Research, Davos, Switzerland, 4-10 February 2006. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2006.01.006
2006
Conference Publication
Developmental vitamin D Depletion alters adult rat behaviour and response to psychomimetic drugs: a relevant model for schizophrenia
Kesby, J. P., OLoan, J., Burne, T. H., McGrath, J. and Eyles, D. W. (2006). Developmental vitamin D Depletion alters adult rat behaviour and response to psychomimetic drugs: a relevant model for schizophrenia. Australasian Schizophrenia Conference, Fremantle, 21-23 August 2006. Abingdon, England: Informa Healthcare. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1614.2006.01859_2.x
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr James Kesby is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Master Philosophy
Investigating corticostriatal networks and cognitive flexibility to understand schizophrenia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darryl Eyles
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Master Philosophy
Exploring links between Human Eating Disorder pathology and the visual perception of foods.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gemma Sharp, Associate Professor Alan Pegna
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Stress and dopamine in the dorsal striatum: exploration of potentially causative mechanisms in schizophrenia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Darryl Eyles
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Measuring and improving cognition in a rodent model relevant to schizophrenia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Dan Siskind, Professor Thomas Burne
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Dissecting mechanisms underlying decision-making dysfunction in schizophrenia using preclinical animal models
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Thomas Burne
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr James Kesby directly for media enquiries about:
- addiction
- animal models
- brain
- mental illness
- neuroscience
- psychosis
- schizophrenia
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