Mood and Anxiety: CAMH Research Annual Report 2002

Members of the Mood and Anxiety Program conduct research activities in seven areas across four Clinical Units.

Genetics

In collaboration with Dr. James Kennedy, several investigators have received funding to investigate, and have published on, genetic aspects of depression, OCD and bipolar disorder.

Epidemiology & Health Systems

In collaboration with the Health Systems Research Unit at CAMH, Dr. Sagar Parikh has focused on health care utilization across Ontario. Dr. William Gnam continues his research on the economics of mental health issues with special emphasis on the impact of psychiatric disorders on the workplace and the labour market. Dr. Robert Cooke continues to investigate "Quality of Life" issues across the bipolar and other clinical populations.

Functional Imaging

Several investigators hold CIHR funding for PET studies. Dr. Jeff Meyer has continued to use PET to study the relationship between psychiatric symptoms in depression and abnormalities in serotonin and dopamine receptors. Recently, using a novel serotonin transporter ligand developed by Dr. Alan Wilson at the PET Centre, Dr. Meyer and collaborators have completed studies involving antidepressant effects on the serotonin transporter. Drs. Helen Mayberg, Zindel Segal and Sidney Kennedy are investigating changes in brain metabolism following successful antidepressant medication and cognitive therapy. Drs. Mayberg and Michael Bagby continue to investigate the influence of personality dimensions on brain metabolism.

Psychopharmacology

During the past year a number of investigator-initiated and industry-initiated trials involving Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder have been completed.

Psychological Mechanisms & Treatments

A series of CIHR-funded studies are continuing. Dr. Segal has received funding to evaluate the role of mood-linked cognitive changes in predicting prospective relapse/recurrence following either cognitive therapy or pharmacotherapy for depression. Dr. Segal is also collaborating with colleagues in the UK in an NIMH-funded randomized trial to evaluate a prophylactic intervention designed to reduce this type of mood-linked cognitive processing.

Drs. Mark Lau and Neil Rector are funded to study the roles of cognitive inhibition and rumination in mediating the patient's ability to benefit from treatment. In addition, Drs. Rector, Peggy Richter, Michael Gemar and Eilenna Denisoff were funded to examine cognitive factors that predict successful treatment response and relapse potential in ocd. Dr. Martin Katzman continues to draw industry support for researching novel pharmacological interventions for anxiety. Dr. Parikh continues to evaluate cognitive-behaviour therapy and psychoeducation in people with bipolar disorder.

Psychobiological Studies

Dr. Robert Levitan has received ongoing funding from a number of federal and provincial agencies to study cortisol in adult and infant populations. Dr. Roger McIntyre has received funding to study underlying mechanisms of weight gain following treatment with antipsychotic and anticonvulsant agents and is focusing his research activity on the roles of leptin and reproductive hormone changes. Dr. McIntyre is also collaborating with Dr. James Kennedy to identify candidate genes that increase the risk for weight gain.

IPT

Drs. Carolina Cristi and Bagby have received funding from omhf to investigate patient dimensions as predictors of outcome following several antidepressant treatments. The Clinic continues to develop a database for future ipt and related research.