Professor Adam Guastella
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Professor Adam Guastella

Michael Crouch Chair in Child and Youth Mental Health
Brain and Mind Centre
Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School
Phone
+61 2 9351 0539
Fax
+61 2 9351 0855
Details
Professor Adam Guastella

Professor Adam Guastella is the Michael Crouch Chair in Child and Youth Mental Health. His position is based at both Sydney Children's Hospital at Westmead and the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney. His work aims to build collaborative partnerships between researchers, clinicians, and services to ensure that children and families receive the best available assessments and treatments to support well-being. As part of this role, he is the co-lead of the Child-Neurodevelopment and Mental Health Team for the University of Sydney. This team aims to solve complex problems for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families with a team of multi-disciplinary professors across the university. He is also the co-lead for the child bio-informatics hub for the University of Sydney, applying technology application to support well-being and research with families.

He is a clinical psychologist and supervises both the 'Autism Clinic for Translational Research' and the 'Anxiety Clinic', both of which provide group-based Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy programs. These programs conduct diagnostic, neuropsychological and emotion well being assessments to understand factors that contribute to disability and use Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy group-based interventions to improve emotion well being and social confidence. This work has driven new treatment approaches and conducted some world-first research exploring the mental health of adults with autism.

Professor Guastella also has an established track record in human translational neuroscience. His primary interest is in using neuroscience to inform and develop novel treatments for young patients with mental health problems. This research has led him to study the neurobiology of social behaviour, its development in early life, and how this neurobiology relates to symptoms that cause distress and impairment. His research may take the form of cognitive-experimental investigations. It may also involve clinical trials to demonstrate efficacy of interventions.

Professor Guastella is a clinical trials specialist and has evaluated the benefits of psychological and medical therapies. To illustrate, Professor Guastella initiated a program of research that showed the powerful enhancing effects of oxytocin administration on face-perception and the cognitive processing of social-stimuli in humans. Subsequently, Prof Guastella's team was the first in the world to show that a medication could be used as a treatment for social impairments in young children with autism. This program of research now focuses on understanding who responds to treatment, why and now incorporates multi-site trials across europe, asia and australia. It involves first in world trials of targets to treat social impairment and development of new devices and behavioural interventions to enhance response.

Clinical Trials, Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Child Development, Autism, Social Anxiety, Social Neurobiology, Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy

Masters level course: Neuroscience and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

  • Clinical trials and child development
  • Oxytocin, autism and its treatment in toddlers: Multi-site large scale investigations
  • Novel interventions and assessments for adults with autism
  • Social anxiety and Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy
  • Early psychosis and social cognition and its treatment

Australian Psychological Society

Biological Psychiatry

Tracey Goodall Early Career Award (Australian Association of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy)

Aubrey Lewis Early Career Award (Biological Psychiatry Australia)

Neurosciences and Mental Health
Project titleResearch student
Modified Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Group Intervention for Social Anxiety in Adults with Autism Spectrum ConditionsBruna BERGER ROISENBERG
Autistic Female TikTok Influencers: A content analysis of Representation, Identity and InfluenceKatharine EDWARDS
Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Needs of Autistic Young People with Social AnxietyJay MARINIS

Publications

Book Chapters

  • Scott, E., Carpenter, J., Iorfino, F., Cross, S., Hermens, D., White, D., Lee, R., Naismith, S., Guastella, A., Glozier, N., Leweke, F., Koethe, D., Lagopoulos, J., Scott, J., Hamilton, B., Crouse, J., Tickell (nee Kennedy), A., Nichles, A., Zmicerevska, N., Gehue, L., Kaur, M., Chitty, K., Hickie, I. (2020). Early intervention, prevention, and prediction in mood disorders: Tracking multidimensional outcomes in young people presenting for mental health care. In Bernhard T. Baune (Eds.), Personalized Psychiatry, (pp. 39-62). London: Elsevier. [More Information]

Journals

  • Demetriou, E., Boulton, K., Bowden, M., Guastella, A. (2024). Adjustment and homesickness in hospitalised children: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 110, 102431. [More Information]
  • Boulton, K., Lee, D., Honan, I., Phillips, N., Morgan, C., Crowle, C., Novak, I., Badawi, N., Guastella, A. (2024). Exploring early life social and executive function development in infants and risk for autism: a prospective cohort study protocol of NICU graduates and infants at risk for cerebral palsy. BMC Psychiatry, 24(1), 359. [More Information]
  • Mulraney, M., De Silva, U., Joseph, A., Sousa Fialho, M., Dutia, I., Munro, N., Payne, J., Banaschewski, T., De Lima, C., Bellgrove, M., Guastella, A., et al (2024). International Consensus on Standard Outcome Measures for Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Consensus Statement. JAMA Network Open, 7(6), e2416760. [More Information]

Patents

  • McGregor, I., Carson, D., Guastella, A., Bowen, M. (2015). Pat: Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders With Oxytocin and Other Agents Acting at Oxytocin Receptors. Patent No. 2010302945, 2482835, 9119805. , Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Report

  • O'Donovan, M., Dew, A., Imms, C., Smith-Merry, J., Hemsley, B., Gilroy, J., Meltzer, A., Yen, I., Ellem, K., Muller, A., Guastella, A., McVilly, K., O'Shea, A., Gallego, G., et al (2022). Setting an agenda for disability research in Australia: organisation-led and targeted consultation report. [More Information]

2024

  • Demetriou, E., Boulton, K., Bowden, M., Guastella, A. (2024). Adjustment and homesickness in hospitalised children: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 110, 102431. [More Information]
  • Boulton, K., Lee, D., Honan, I., Phillips, N., Morgan, C., Crowle, C., Novak, I., Badawi, N., Guastella, A. (2024). Exploring early life social and executive function development in infants and risk for autism: a prospective cohort study protocol of NICU graduates and infants at risk for cerebral palsy. BMC Psychiatry, 24(1), 359. [More Information]
  • Mulraney, M., De Silva, U., Joseph, A., Sousa Fialho, M., Dutia, I., Munro, N., Payne, J., Banaschewski, T., De Lima, C., Bellgrove, M., Guastella, A., et al (2024). International Consensus on Standard Outcome Measures for Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Consensus Statement. JAMA Network Open, 7(6), e2416760. [More Information]

2023

  • Nielsen, T., Nassar, N., Shand, A., Jones, H., Han, V., Patel, S., Guastella, A., Dale, R., Lain, S. (2023). Association between cumulative maternal exposures related to inflammation and child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A cohort study. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. [More Information]
  • Schneuer, F., Demetriou, E., Bond, D., Lain, S., Guastella, A., Nassar, N. (2023). Child characteristics and health conditions associated with paediatric hospitalisations and length of stay: a population-based study. The Lancet Regional Health. Western Pacific, 32. [More Information]
  • Crouse, J., LaMonica, H., Song, C., Boulton, K., Rohleder, C., DeMayo, M., Wilson, C., Loblay, V., Hindmarsh, G., Stratigos, T., Guastella, A., Troy, J., Hickie, I., et al (2023). Designing an app for parents and caregivers to promote cognitive and socioemotional development and well-being among children aged 0 to 5 years in diverse cultural settings: Scientific framework. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, 6, 1-10. [More Information]

2022

  • Havighurst, S., Chainey, C., Doyle, F., Higgins, D., Mathews, B., Mazzucchelli, T., Zimmer-Gembeck, M., Andriessen, K., Cobham, V., Cross, D., Dadds, M., Guastella, A., et al (2022). A review of Australian Government funding of parenting intervention research. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 46(3), 262-268. [More Information]
  • Demetriou, E., Boulton, K., Bowden, M., Thapa, R., Guastella, A. (2022). An evaluation of homesickness in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 297, 463-470. [More Information]
  • Nielsen, T., Nassar, N., Shand, A., Jones, H., Han, V., Patel, S., Guastella, A., Dale, R., Lain, S. (2022). Association of maternal autoimmune disease and early childhood infections with offspring autism spectrum disorder: A population-based cohort study. Autism Research, 15(12), 2371-2380. [More Information]

2021

  • Boulton, K., Coghill, D., Silove, N., Pellicano, E., Whitehouse, A., Bellgrove, M., Rinehart, N., Lah, S., Redoblado Hodge, M., Badawi, N., Burns, J., Nanan, R., Novak, I., Goldwater, M., Munro, N., Togher, L., Nassar, N., Guastella, A., et al (2021). A national harmonised data collection network for neurodevelopmental disorders: A transdiagnostic assessment protocol for neurodevelopment, mental health, functioning and well-being. JCPP Advances, 1(4), e12048. [More Information]
  • Demetriou, E., Park, S., Pepper, K., Naismith, S., Song, C., Thomas, E., Hickie, I., Guastella, A. (2021). A transdiagnostic examination of anxiety and stress on executive function outcomes in disorders with social impairment. Journal of Affective Disorders, 281, 695-707. [More Information]
  • DeMayo, M., Harris, A., Song, C., Pokorski, I., Thapa, R., Patel, S., Ambarchi, Z., Thomas, E., Hickie, I., Guastella, A. (2021). Age-related parietal GABA alterations in children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Research, 14(5), 859-872. [More Information]

2020

  • Quintana, D., Guastella, A. (2020). An Allostatic Theory of Oxytocin. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 24(7), 515-528. [More Information]
  • Carpenter, J., Iorfino, F., Cross, S., Nichles, A., Zmicerevska, N., Crouse, J., Palmer, J., Whitton, A., White, D., Naismith, S., Guastella, A., Hermens, D., Scott, J., Scott, E., Hickie, I. (2020). Cohort profile: The Brain and Mind Centre Optymise cohort: Tracking multidimensional outcomes in young people presenting for mental healthcare. BMJ Open, 10(3), e030985. [More Information]
  • Scott, E., Carpenter, J., Iorfino, F., Cross, S., Hermens, D., White, D., Lee, R., Naismith, S., Guastella, A., Glozier, N., Leweke, F., Koethe, D., Lagopoulos, J., Scott, J., Hamilton, B., Crouse, J., Tickell (nee Kennedy), A., Nichles, A., Zmicerevska, N., Gehue, L., Kaur, M., Chitty, K., Hickie, I. (2020). Early intervention, prevention, and prediction in mood disorders: Tracking multidimensional outcomes in young people presenting for mental health care. In Bernhard T. Baune (Eds.), Personalized Psychiatry, (pp. 39-62). London: Elsevier. [More Information]

2019

  • Hermens, D., Hatton, S., White, D., Lee, R., Guastella, A., Scott, E., Naismith, S., Hickie, I., Lagopoulos, J. (2019). A data-driven transdiagnostic analysis of white matter integrity in young adults with major psychiatric disorders. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 89, 73-83. [More Information]
  • Powell, L., Edwards, K., Bauman, A., Guastella, A., Drayton, B., Stamatakis, E., McGreevy, P. (2019). Canine Endogenous Oxytocin Responses to Dog-Walking and Affiliative Human–Dog Interactions. Animals, 9(51), 1-10. [More Information]
  • Rosenfield, D., Smits, J., Hofmann, S., Mataix-Cols, D., de la Cruz, L., Andersson, E., Rück, C., Monzani, B., Pérez-Vigil, A., Frumento, P., Guastella, A., et al (2019). Changes in Dosing and Dose Timing of D-Cycloserine Explain Its Apparent Declining Efficacy for Augmenting Exposure Therapy for Anxiety-related Disorders: An Individual Participant-data Meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 68, 1-8. [More Information]

2018

  • Demetriou, E., Lampit, A., Quintana, D., Naismith, S., Song, C., Pye, J., Hickie, I., Guastella, A. (2018). Autism Spectrum Disorders: A meta-analysis of executive function. Molecular Psychiatry, 23(5), 1198-1204. [More Information]
  • Demetriou, E., Song, C., Park, S., Pepper, K., Naismith, S., Hermens, D., Hickie, I., Guastella, E., Norton, A., White, D., Guastella, A. (2018). Autism, Early Psychosis, and Social Anxiety Disorder: a transdiagnostic examination of executive function cognitive circuitry and contribution to disability. Translational Psychiatry, 8(1), 1-10. [More Information]
  • Pepper, K., Demetriou, E., Park, S., Song, C., Hickie, I., Cacciotti-Saija, C., Langdon, R., Piguet, O., Kumfor, F., Guastella, E., Guastella, A. (2018). Autism, early psychosis, and social anxiety disorder: understanding the role of social cognition and its relationship to disability in young adults with disorders characterized by social impairments. Translational Psychiatry, 8(1), 1-11. [More Information]

2017

  • Masi, A., Lampit, A., DeMayo, M., Glozier, N., Hickie, I., Guastella, A. (2017). A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of pharmacological and dietary supplement interventions in paediatric autism: moderators of treatment response and recommendations for future research. Psychological Medicine, 47(7), 1323-1334. [More Information]
  • Klenner, M., Pascali, G., Zhang, B., Mackay, T., Spare, L., Krause-Heuer, A., Aldrich-Wright, J., Greguric, I., Guastella, A., Massi, M., et al (2017). A Fluorine-18 Radiolabeling Method Enabled by Rhenium(I) Complexation Circumvents the Requirement of Anhydrous Conditions. Chemistry - A European Journal, 23(27), 6499-6503. [More Information]
  • Montag, C., Sindermann, C., Melchers, M., Jung, S., Luo, R., Becker, B., Xie, J., Xu, W., Guastella, A., Kendrick, K. (2017). A functional polymorphism of the OXTR gene is associated with autistic traits in Caucasian and Asian populations. American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics, 174B (8), 808-816. [More Information]

2016

  • Onuoha, R., Quintana, D., Lyvers, M., Guastella, A. (2016). A Meta-analysis of Theory of Mind in Alcohol Use Disorders. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 51(4), 410-415. [More Information]
  • Chen, N., Clarke, P., MacLeod, C., Hickie, I., Guastella, A. (2016). Aberrant Gaze Patterns in Social Anxiety Disorder: An Eye Movement Assessment during Public Speaking. Journal of Experimental Psychopathology, 7(1). [More Information]
  • Alvares, G., Quintana, D., Hickie, I., Guastella, A. (2016). Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in psychiatric disorders and the impact of psychotropic medications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, 41(2), 89-104. [More Information]

2015

  • Cacciotti-Saija, C., Langdon, R., Ward, P., Hickie, I., Scott, E., Naismith, S., Moore, L., Alvares, G., Redoblado-Hodge, M., Guastella, A. (2015). A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial of Oxytocin Nasal Spray and Social Cognition Training for Young People With Early Psychosis. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 41(2), 483-493. [More Information]
  • Guastella, A., Ward, P., Hickie, I., Shahrestani, S., Redoblado Hodge, M., Scott, E., Langdon, R. (2015). A single dose of oxytocin nasal spray improves higher-order social cognition in schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research, 168(3), 628-633. [More Information]
  • Robillard, R., Hermens, D., Naismith, S., White, D., Rogers, N., Ip, T., Mullin, S., Alvares, G., Guastella, A., Smith, K., Whitwell, B., Southan, J., Glozier, N., Scott, E., Hickie, I., et al (2015). Ambulatory sleep-wake patterns and variability in young people with emerging mental disorders. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, 40(1), 28-37. [More Information]

2014

  • O'Dea, B., Glozier, N., Purcell, R., McGorry, P., Scott, J., Fields, K., Hermens, D., Buchanan, J., Scott, E., Yung, A., Guastella, A., Hickie, I., et al (2014). A cross-sectional exploration of the clinical characteristics of disengaged (NEET) young people in primary mental healthcare. BMJ Open, 4(12), 1-8. [More Information]
  • Einfeld, S., Smith, E., McGregor, I., Steinbeck, K., Taffe, J., Rice, L., Horstead, S., Rogers, N., Redoblado Hodge, M., Guastella, A. (2014). A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of Oxytocin Nasal Spray in Prader Willi Syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part A, 164A (9), 2232-2239. [More Information]
  • Chen, N., Clarke, P., Watson, T., MacLeod, C., Guastella, A. (2014). Biased Saccadic Responses to Emotional Stimuli in Anxiety: An Antisaccade Study. PloS One, 9(2), 1-7. [More Information]

2013

  • Carson, D., Guastella, A., Taylor, E., McGregor, I. (2013). A brief history of oxytocin and its role in modulating psychostimulant effects. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 27(3), 231-247. [More Information]
  • Quintana, D., McGregor, I., Guastella, A., Malhi, G., Kemp, A. (2013). A Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Alcohol Dependence on Short-Term Resting-State Heart Rate Variability: Implications for Cardiovascular Risk. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 37(S1), E23-E29. [More Information]
  • Quintana, D., Kemp, A., Alvares, G., Guastella, A. (2013). A role for autonomic cardiac control in the effects of oxytocin on social behavior and psychiatric illness. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 7(April 2013), 1-9. [More Information]

2012

  • Guastella, A., MacLeod, C. (2012). A critical review of the influence of oxytocin nasal spray on social cognition in humans: Evidence and future directions. Hormones and Behavior, 61(3), 410-418. [More Information]
  • Lowe (nee Thompson), R., Guastella, A., Chen, N., Menzies, R., Packman, A., O'Brian, S., Onslow, M. (2012). Avoidance of eye gaze by adults who stutter. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 37(4), 263-274. [More Information]
  • Chen, N., Clarke, P., MacLeod, C., Guastella, A. (2012). Biased Attentional Processing of Positive Stimuli in Social Anxiety Disorder: An Eye Movement Study. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 41(2), 96-107. [More Information]

2011

  • Guastella, A., Kenyon, A., Unkelbach, C., Alvares, G., Hickie, I. (2011). Arginine Vasopressin selectively enhances recognition of sexual cues in male humans. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 36(2), 294-297. [More Information]
  • Kemp, A., Guastella, A. (2011). The Role of Oxytocin in Human Affect: A Novel Hypothesis. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 20(4), 222-231. [More Information]

2010

  • Alvares, G., Hickie, I., Guastella, A. (2010). Acute effects of intranasal oxytocin on subjective and behavioral responses to social rejection. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 18(4), 316-321. [More Information]
  • Guastella, A., Kenyon, A., Alvares, G., Carson, D., Hickie, I. (2010). Intranasal Arginine Vasopressin Enhances the Encoding of Happy and Angry Faces in Humans. Biological Psychiatry, 67(12), 1220-1222. [More Information]
  • Guastella, A., Einfeld, S., Gray, K., Rinehart, N., Tonge, B., Lambert, T., Hickie, I. (2010). Intranasal Oxytocin Improves Emotion Recognition in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Biological Psychiatry, 67, 692-694. [More Information]

2009

  • Guastella, A., Howard, A., Dadds, M., Mitchell, P., Carson, D. (2009). A randomized controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin as an adjunct to exposure therapy for social anxiety disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34(6), 917-923. [More Information]
  • Guastella, A., Carson, D., Dadds, M., Mitchell, P., Cox, R. (2009). Does oxytocin influence the early detection of angry and happy faces? Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34, 220-225. [More Information]
  • Guastella, A., Dadds, M. (2009). Sequential growth in cognitive-behavioral emotion-processing: A laboratory study. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 33(4), 368-374. [More Information]

2008

  • Guastella, A., Richardson, R., Lovibond, P., Rapee, R., Gaston, J., Mitchell, P., Dadds, M. (2008). A Randomized Controlled Trial of D-Cycloserine Enhancement of Exposure Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder. Biological Psychiatry, 63(6), 544-549. [More Information]
  • Guastella, A., Dadds, M. (2008). Cognitive-behavioural emotion writing tasks: A controlled trial of multiple processes. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 39(4), 558-566. [More Information]
  • Guastella, A., Mitchell, P., Matthews, F. (2008). Oxytocin Enhances the Encoding of Positive Social Memories in Humans. Biological Psychiatry, 64(6), 256-258. [More Information]

2007

  • Guastella, A., Dadds, M., Lovibond, P., Mitchell, P., Richardson, R. (2007). A randomized controlled trial of the effect of D-cycloserine on exposure therapy for spider fear. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 41(6), 466-471. [More Information]
  • Guastella, A., Lovibond, P., Dadds, M., Mitchell, P., Richardson, R. (2007). A randomized controlled trial of the effect of D-cycloserine on extinction and fear conditioning in humans. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 45(4), 663-672. [More Information]
  • Guastella, A., Moulds, M. (2007). The impact of rumination on sleep quality following a stressful life event. Personality and Individual Differences, 42(6), 1151-1162. [More Information]

2006

  • Guastella, A., Dadds, M. (2006). Cognitive-Behavioral Models of Emotional Writing: A Validation Study. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 30(3), 397-414. [More Information]

2004

  • Roth, J., Dadds, M., McAloon, J., Guastella, A., Weems, C. (2004). Prevalence and Prediction of Disorders in Early Childhood: A Community Study. Behaviour Change, 21(4), 215-228. [More Information]

Selected Grants

2024

  • BMC compact with UofT - Child Youth Mental Health, early child development and related use of digital technologies, Hickie I, Szatmari P, Gallagher L, Guastella A, Ameis S, LaMonica H, Iorfino F, Boulton K, Office of Global Engagement/Compact Agreement Global Research Partnerships

2023

  • Observation lab equipment (EQS00123), Guastella A, Cerebral Palsy Alliance/Project Grant

In the media

Spectrum News: Beyond The Bench

https://www.spectrumnews.org/opinion/q-and-a/beyond-bench-conversation-adam-guastella/

Radio National

https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/healthreport/distress-depression-young-people-autism-spectrum/10749358

Employable Me

https://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/employable-me-australia/

The Conversation

https://theconversation.com/profiles/adam-guastella-3721/articles

Articles on Clinical Trials

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/autism-and-oxytocin-university-of-sydney-work-probes-hormones-effects-on-symptoms/news-story/5aedc054e4801ed743102da2c4e8576f

https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2017/07/01/hormonal-therapy-autism/14988312004844

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