Clinical Research Department: CAMH Research Annual Report 2002

The Clinical Research Department (CRD) continues to support research, treatment and education goals of CAMH through scientific publications, presentations and transfer of knowledge to evidence-based practice and to the community at large. Dr. Larry Grupp is the Clinical Research Liaison Officer, whose mandate is to identify, promote and facilitate research opportunities and collaborations between CAMH staff at all sites and between CAMH and external partners at University Hospitals and other clinical and research institutions.

During 2001/2002, the crd has initiated and supported a variety of intra- and interdepartmental program initiatives. Mind Mood and Mental Health, a publication of the Mood and Anxiety program, focused on diversity and community partners in research. This publication was widely distributed in the greater Toronto area, with over 10,000 copies placed in Shoppers Drug Mart and Guardian Drugs stores, hospital waiting rooms and doctors' offices. Clinical Guidelines for the Treatment of Depressive Disorders were published as a collaborative canmat/cpa supplement on June 2001.

Through the Family Practice Mood and Anxiety Research Network, we held a conference called Psychiatric Aspects of Sexual Health in Men and Women. This led to several clinical research projects involving testosterone in depressed and non-depressed men and estrogen replacement strategies in post-menopausal depressed women.

The CRD also supported a successful conference on Psychopathy for the Psychobiology of Aggression and Antisocial Behaviour across the Lifespan Section. In addition, a joint Intrapersonal Psychotherapy Program-CRD initiative brought Dr. James McCullough for an extended visit to discuss the Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy at CAMH and Mount Sinai Hospital.

Two of the five sections (Addictions and Mood and Anxiety Disorders) underwent external reviews during the summer of 2001. A combined review of both the clinical and research aspect of the Mood and Anxiety Program was completed.

A joint effort of the Addictions and Personality sections of the CRD was successful in obtaining a grant from the Ontario Problem Gaming Foundation to study personality variables in people who gamble. The principal investigators for this grant are Drs. Peter Farvolden and Michael Bagby (Personality and Psychopathology Research Section) and Dr. Tony Toneatto (Addictions Section).

Dr. Saulo Castel obtained a CIHR Fellowship to develop measures of psychopathology in people whohave concurrent substance use problems and mental illness.

Dr. Sidney Kennedy resigned from his position as Director of Clinical Research on January 31, 2002, to take up his new position as Psychiatrist in Chief at the University Health Network, University of Toronto. Dr. R. Michael Bagby, who is a Senior Psychologist and Section Head of the Personality and Psychopathology Section, assumed the role as Acting Director of the CRD.

On this topic

• Addictions Research 2002

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