Child, Youth and Family Research Program
Section Head
Dr. Ken Zucker
Contact
Dr. Ken Zucker
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
250 College Street
Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8
(416) 535-8501, ext 4040
ken_zucker@camh.net
Research Objective
Research studies focus on the diagnosis, assessment, causes, treatment, and prevention of a wide range of psychiatric disorders
and behaviour problems that affect children and youth to improve preventative measures and treatment outcomes.
Summary of Activities
Recognizing that most adult disorders begin or have their origins in childhood or adolescence, the focus on children and youth
provides the best opportunity for successful prevention and intervention initiatives.
Current research on the biology of psychiatric disorders includes:
- Collaborating with three research centres in the United States studying candidate genes in early onset obsessive compulsive
disorder (OCD) to test the hypothesis that genes affecting the glutamatergic neurotransmission are associated with the disorder.
- Studying the genetic markers in the serotonin and dopamine systems as well as MAO-A (the brain enzyme monoamine oxidase that
breaks down chemicals like serotonin) in aggressive children since significant associations have been detected between callous
and unemotional traits and a particular marker on the serotonin transporter gene.
- Clarifying and understanding the genetics and molecular pathways of autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. Current
projects and collaborations include:
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- Identification of cytogenetic breakpoints and cloning and characterization of genes spanning breakpoints in autism and Rett
syndrome patients.
- Functional and molecular studies of the MeCP2_E1 isoform, and identification of causative mutations in patients with Rett
syndrome-like features.
- Fine-mapping of the X-chromosome in autism, and also identification and characterization of genomic mutations on the X-chromosome
in autism patients using 500K SNP microarray data in order to identify autism candidate genes.
- Identification of disease loci in consanguineous autism/MR families from Pakistan, and functional characterization of disease
genes.
- Genome scan and fine-mapping for autism susceptibility genes.
- Genetic mapping and identification of genes involved in hereditary neuropathies and neuromuscular disease.
- Studying additional genetic markers in the serotonin and growth factor systems in COMD. In collaboration with Wayne State
University in the United States, we are investigating the genetics of neuroimaging findings in pediatric major depression.
Current epidemiological research includes:
- A 20-year psychiatric and psychosocial longitudinal study on the outcomes of a group of five-year-old speech/language-impaired
children and their normal language controls. This work has shown significant late adolescent psychiatric morbidity associated
with these children.
- A large scale, randomized treatment program in London, Ontario high schools. This is a community-based prevention research
project pertaining to relationship violence and risk-reduction behaviours in adolescents.
Current treatment research includes:
- Several clinic- and school-based assessment and treatment studies pertaining to childhood anxiety and depression:
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- Clinic-based assessment research study examining the child, youth, and family characteristics associated with different mood
and anxiety disorders.
- Clinic-based treatment study examining the effectiveness of short-term psychodynamic therapy for youth with mood and anxiety
disorders.
- The Feelings Club Project evaluating a school-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) prevention program for students in
grades three through six who are at risk of developing anxiety and depressive disorders.
- Pharmacological trials from both ADHD and depression.
- Community-based interventions for juvenile arsonists.
- Several clinic-based assessment and treatment studies regarding concurrent substance use and mental health disorders in transitional
aged youth, including studies examining assessment issues and client characteristics of youth with concurrent disorders and
integrated treatment for youth with concurrent mood and substance use issues.
Several research programs also address various aspects of syndrome-specific disorders, including gender identity disorder
and conduct disorder. Research on gender identity disorder, for example, includes diagnostic, assessment, and cross-clinic
comparative studies as well as the identification of associated features and outcome of the illness in the absence of treatment.
There is also research looking at informed consent issues in adolescents, examining their ability to consent to medical treatment.
Centre for Addiction
