Lab profile

As new psychopharmacological agents for the management of schizophrenia are introduced into clinical practice, inappropriate patient selection may often lead to disappointing outcomes for the patient, the family and services. The Schizophrenia Treatments & Outcomes Research Team investigate the use and misuse of schizophrenia pharmacology and antipsychotics in the clinic and the community.

The developments of the schizophrenia group have focussed on establishing two centres at Concord Centre for Mental Health (CCMH). The first is the Concord Centre for Cardiometabolic Health in Psychosis (ccCHIP). This is a collaboration between the BMRI, Dr Roger Chen (Endocrinologist, University of Sydney and Concord Repatriation General Hospital), Dr Jeff Snars (Director, CCMH), and other medical departments at Concord Repatriation General Hospital. It has a clinical, research and training role. The second centre, the Centre of Excellence in Relapse Prevention (CERP) is the first of a number of global centres developing teaching, training and research excellence in relapse prevention. The international program is co-chaired by Professor Tim Lambert (BMRI) and Professor John Kane. This centre will provide psychiatric fellowships and an opportunity for nascent clinical researchers to develop programs around schizophrenia relapse prevention.

The schizophrenia group has revamped its multimedia development unit with the aim of developing high quality psychopharmacology training to undergraduate, postgraduate and clinical audiences.