Over 50 per cent of Australians will experience a serious mental health issue during their lifetime. But those who do often carry a burden of shame that adds to their suffering.

Herein lies the motivation behind Dr James Crane’s research. His investigations in the field of neuroscience focus on processes in the body and brain that are so microscopic one might be forgiven for wondering what this has to do with the bigger picture. But understanding the biology of mental functioning leads to better treatments for common disorders like anxiety, depression and stress-related illnesses. It also leads to better education among the population at large, which reduces stigma.

Take one common mental health condition: post-traumatic stress disorder. Up to two million people in Australia suffer PTSD. It affects a wide range of individuals in varied situations, including the military, refugees, nurses, paramedics and doctors.

Despite increasing recognition by government with interventions that make mental health care more accessible for such conditions, a stigma remains which means the afflicted often do not seek help when they need it.

Dr Crane is powerfully motivated to change the status quo. ‘I want to see improvements in the way we treat mental health, and in how we think about people with mental health disorders,’ he says. ‘We have a very complex body and brain – as far as we know, the human brain is the most complex thing in the universe. So it’s not surprising sometimes things go awry.’

Researching the most basic workings of the brain demonstrates the neurological foundations of mental disorders. ‘It’s all cells talking to cells,’ explains Dr Crane. ‘Neurons talking to neurons. When people understand it’s all biological, it reduces the stigma. Anything in the brain you don’t want can be chemically explained. I’d like to see the day when a mental health issue is talked about in the same way as the common cold or a knee injury.’

Dr Crane was drawn to neuroscience during an undergrad lecture. ‘I learned about a particular neuron repurposing ATP – the energy molecule that powers the cells – to act as a messenger. It struck me as very clever. It spoke to me strongly about the efficiency of the body and its ability to come up with solutions to problems.’

Dr Crane’s current focus is on how the hormone oxytocin influences the way the amygdala copes with complex sensory environments. ‘We’ve found a particular neuron that is involved, and want to find out exactly what it is and how it works.’ The amygdala is the part of the brain involved in the fear-response, which is overactive in conditions like PTSD and anxiety.

‘I’m also very interested in the neurobiology of Vitamin B6,’ says Dr Crane, ‘and the impact of a B6 deficiency on neural functioning and neurotransmitter production. A deficiency may contribute to anxiety conditions.’ Studies show that a high proportion of people are B6 deficient – up to 80 per cent of women on oral contraceptives, and a large number of the elderly in aged care. ‘I want to find solid evidence of these effects and how a deficiency may also affect conditions like ME/CFS, premenstrual syndrome, and foetal development.’ Epidemiological studies are being done on B6 levels in the Tasmanian population with the aim of developing public health initiatives concerning dietary intake.

Dr Crane says Tasmania is an excellent place for his research work. ‘UTAS has a growing reputation in the area of neuroscience, along with world-class facilities and an atmosphere of collegiality.’

When asked to describe the most exciting thing about his research, Dr Crane pondered: ‘I like discovering things that nobody else has seen before – even a small thing – I like being the first person to see it, or think of it. And then making a difference by contributing to society and a body of knowledge that can help us all.’