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The Singapore Translational & Clinical Research in Psychosis (STCRP) |
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Translational and Clinical Research in Neuroscience vulnerability, disease progression, and treatment in Schizophrenia and related psychoses
Schizophrenia and related psychoses are among the most disabling disorders to afflict mankind and costly of all disorders. Despite the low lifetime prevalence of psychoses, estimated to be about 3% worldwide, it generates an enormous burden in both economic cost and human suffering. The exact aetiology and pathophysiology are yet to be elucidated but research has advanced recently in three directions: the identification of genetic risk factors; the identification of those at greatest risk for the disorder, and a focus on the development of new treatments that may reduce disability.
IMH has embarked on a bench-to-bedside research programme focusing on these three areas. The overall objective is to identify key genetic, biological, cognitive and social risk factors for psychotic disorders, and to establish the efficacy of a new neurocognitive enhancing agent in patients with schizophrenia.
This programme will focus on the following three interlinked projects:
- A Comprehensive Genetic Study of Schizophrenia and Neurocognitive Impairments
- Prospective Observational Study of Young Adults at Ultra High Risk for Psychotic Disorders; and
- Double-blind randomized controlled trial of cognitive enhancement.
The team led by A/Prof Chong Siow Ann includes internationally recognized scientists from various institutions in Singapore as well as from Duke University and the University of Melbourne.
They encompass a broad range of expertise, from basic science (in genomics, neuroimaging) to clinical acumen regarding high-risk psychosis studies and assessment and treatment of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
An extensive network of collaboration will be set up with the Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore Tissue Network, Clinical Trials and Epidemiology Unit, National University of Singapore, University of Melbourne, Duke University, and the various imaging facilities in Singapore for the study of psychosis encompassing various aspects of early detection, epidemiology, genetics and treatment. It will also involve other centres in Hong Kong, New York and Shanghai.
This five-year 25-million dollar (SGD) program is funded by the National Medical Research Council (NMRC), Singapore.
Principal Investigator:
Associate Professor Chong Siow Ann, Institute of Mental Health
Co-Principal Investigators:
Dr Liu JianJun, Genome Institute of Singapore
Professor Richard Keefe, Duke University Medical Center
Associate Professor Christine Marx, Duke University Medical Center
Professor Patrick McGorry, University of Melbourne | |
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