CHARITÉ

Berlin Prodrome Affective and Psychotic Disorders Study (BPAPS)

BPAPS is longitudinal study into young people at risk for bipolar disorder and psychosis as well as those diagnosed with first-episode psychosis (FEP). The study will combine detailed clinical, behavioural, genetic and multi-modal neuroimaging assessments to yield new insights into the early stages of psychosis and develop biomarkers for diagnosis and stratification. BPAPS aims to recruit n = 500 at-risk participants as well as n = 300 FEP-patients in collaboration with colleagues at Charité and Vivantes.

Using Computational Modelling to Understand Large-Scale Networks and Circuit Dysfunctions in Schizophrenia

This project combines neuroimaging with computational modelling to identify pathophysiological mechanisms in schizophrenia. Specifically, we will analyse resting-state MEG/fMR data from clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P), first-episode psychosis patients (FEP) and healthy controls to elucidate the contribution of changes in the balance between excitation and inhibition towards circuit deficits. The project is funded by the Einstein-Stiftung and a collaboration with Prof. Obermayr and Dr. Christoph Metzner, TU Berlin.

Identifying Circuits Dysfunctions in Schizophrenia with Optically-Pumped Magnetometers (OPM): A Combined OPM-MEG/EEG and Computational Modelling Study

In this project, we will use novel Optically-Pumped Magnetometers (OPM) to assess changes in brain activity in patients with schizophrenia. OPMs have been recently introduced as a promising approach in non-invasive electrophysiology that have significant advantages over conventional Magnetoencephalograpical (MEG) systems with Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUIDs) in terms of signal to noise and maintenance costs. However, their potential to identify electrophysiological alterations in psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, has not been explored so far.  The project is funded by the DFG and a collaboration with Dr. Tillmann Sander-Tönnies, PTB Berlin.

Glasgow

Identifying Neural Signatures of Auditory-Predictive Processing in Schizophrenia: A Multi-Modal Imaging Approach

In this MRC-funded project, we will examine feedforward (FF)- and feedback (FB)-mediated processing in a sample of n = 30 early-stage ScZ patients and 30 clinical high-risk (CHR) participant and carry out MEG as well as 7T fMRI. This multi-modal imaging approach will allow fundamental insights into the neurobiology of FF and FB processing during auditory-predictive processing in ScZ. As a result, we expect that we will address the role of deficits in FF-mediated sensory processing vs. top-down mediated FB processing towards cognitive impairments in ScZ with important implication for current theories of cognitive dysfunctions and translational research. This is because FF and FB processing have been linked to distinct glutamatergic receptors during normal brain functioning that could in turn inform novel treatment developments for cognitive impairments in ScZ for which no effective treatments currently exist.

Developing an E-Mental Health Detection Tool for Early-Stage Psychosis in the Community

The current proposal will develop an innovative E-mental health detection tool to effectively improve the identification of young people with emerging psychosis, especially those who meet clinical high-risk criteria (CHR). This tool will be implemented on digital platforms including websites tablets and mobile phones. The project is funded by an Innovator Award of the Wellcome Trust and a collaboration with Prof. Paolo Fusar-Poli.

The Youth Mental Health Risk and Resilience Study

The Youth Mental Health Risk and Resilience Study (YouR-Study) aims to identify neurobiological mechanisms and predictors of psychosis-risk with a state-of-the-art neuroimaging approach (Magnetoencephalography, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in combination with core psychological processes, such as affect regulation and attachment, that have been implicated in the development and maintenance of severe mental health problems. The study is funded by the Medical Research Council.

Publications:

Uhlhaas, P.J. et al. The Youth Mental Health Risk and Resilience Study (YouR-Study). BMC Psychiatry. 26;17(1):43. doi:

10.1186/s12888-017-1206-5.