?????Department of Psychiatry
?Research - Research Units
Psychosis Research Programme
Overview
Our history
The program was started in the mid-90s with a focus on pharmacological research in schizophrenia. In 2008, we embarked on a prospective study exploring the clinical, biological, and functional aspects of treatment outcome in first-episode schizophrenia. We focused on the pharmacology, efficacy, and tolerability of long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications in the treatment of first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders. We examined the course and outcomes of patients following a first episode of psychosis using clinical and imaging data. We also examined the association of environmental factors and childhood trauma with disease onset and progression. Our program provides opportunities for PhD and Master level training for scientists, clinicians, and psychologists with a particular focus on women, black psychiatrists, and people with disabilities.
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Our mission
To be a premier research unit that develops cutting-edge scientific tools to improve our understanding of psychotic disorders through engagement with diverse collaborators, stakeholders, and the community that we serve.
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Our vision?
To be a center of
research excellence that responds to important knowledge gaps in the field of
psychosis research and needs relevant to our setting through innovative
scholarship and strategic collaborations.?
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Our values
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Diversity
- Innovation
- Excellence
Our people
| ??Prof Laila Asmal MBChB, FCPsych, MMed (Psych)?, MSc Clinical Epidemiology, PhD Unit Director Senior lecturer/Psychiatrist/Researcher Interest area: Psychiatric epidemiology and neuropsychiatry. laila@sun.ac.za? Prof Robin Emsley MBChB FCPsych(SA) MMed(Psych) DMed DSc Emeritus professor, Consultant Interest area: The clinical, neurobiological, and pharmacological aspects of schizophrenia. rae@sun.ac.za? Retha Smit PhD candidate Clinical trials Part of the unit since 1996 Interest area: Investigates predictors of relapse other than treatment non-adherence in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. amsmit@sun.ac.za? | |
| ?Dr Hilmar Klaus Lückhof MBChB, BScHons Pathology, MSc Pathology, PhD Researcher Interest area: Metabolic syndrome and clinical outcomes and sex- and gender-based research. luckhoffh@sun.ac.za? Warona Mateane ?MA Research Psychology ?Research Coordination Interest area: Food insecurity and mental health; with a specific focus on how these issues influence each other. Additionally, examining the initiatives and legislation developed and implemented to address both. wpmateane@sun.ac.za ? | |
| ?? Faizel Moosa ?Driver Employed since 2009 Transports participants from outpatient facilities and hospital wards, and between the Tygerberg campus. He also assists with various tasks around the unit.? | |
| Dr Lebogang Phahladira MBChB, DMH, FCPsych Lecturer/Psychiatrist/Researcher Interest area: Clinical course and outcome. | |
Dr Sanja Kilian MA Clinical Psychology, PhD Psychology Interest area: Cognitive and clinical outcomes in psychosis and the lived experiences of people living with psychosis and families' experiences of supporting a loved one living with a mental illness. Dr Unity Chitapi PhD, Occupational Therapist Postdoctoral Research Fellow Interest area: Occupational Therapy, Occupational Science, Mental Health, Health Systems, Applied Medical Rehabilitation, and Disability. Focus on human occupations and the intersection of poverty, politics, inequality, and disability/rehabilitation issues. uchitapi@gmail.com? | |
Our current projects are focused on different aspects of schizophrenia and related psychoses, informed by our exploration of the illness, its clinical course, and ultimate outcome. The group also has a keen interest in the interaction between structural brain measures and environmental factors that shape the clinical course and evolution of first-episode schizophrenia. In addition, we are interested in the use of virtual reality technologies to provide greater insight into these inter-relationships, particularly considering neuroimaging for stress-sensitive brain regions in relation to neurodevelopment. We have explored sex and gender in relation to clinical and treatment outcomes and neurodevelopmental risk factors relevant to the onset and progression of first-episode schizophrenia.
Our work
The following link is an overview of our lab and highlights our academic publications to date: https://www.researchgate.net/lab/Psychosis-Research-Program-Stellenbosch-中国体育彩票-PRP-Laila-Asmal
International collaborations?
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London
- Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta Analysis (ENIGMA) consortium
- Lagos State 中国体育彩票, Nigeria??
- African Global Mental Health Institute (AGMHI)
- Global Mental Health Peer Network
- Harvard 中国体育彩票, USA
Opportunities
Careers:
Available research projects: see here.?
Contact us?
Prof Laila Asmal (laila@sun.ac.za?)
