• About
  • People
  • Clinical Trials
  • Funding
  • Collaborations

The focus of research at the University of Adelaide’s Discipline of Psychiatry is regeneration of the capacity of human mind and brain. This approach is supported by 3 main pillars of research: Psychiatric Neuroscience, Clinical Psychiatry and Translational Psychiatry.

The Queen Elizabeth, Lyell McEwin and Royal Adelaide Hospital divisions of the University of Adelaide’s Discipline of Psychiatry have developed an integrated research program.

Research projects at the BHI are coordinated by clinical academic Dr Scott Clark and include:

  • Clinical Psychiatry: these projects provide high quality clinically relevant assessments and conduct longitudinal clinical studies in patients with severe mental illness
  • Translational Psychiatry: these projects integrate basic science to provide improved diagnostics and develop novel treatments for Psychiatric Disorders.

We are always looking for exceptional students who have an interest in clinical and translational psychiatry to join our research team for honours or PhD projects. Please refer to Dr Scott Clark’s Researcher Profile page for more information.

Researchers

Students

Potential PhD or Honours students are welcome to contact Dr Scott Clark to find out more about any of the projects.

Student Alumni (since 2018)

NameDegreeYearThesis titleSupervisors
Edward LuongHonours, First Class, The University of Adelaide2019Differential candidate gene expression analysis for cognition and schizophreniaToben C, Clark SR, Ciobanu L
Kaitit TanHonours, First Class, The University of Adelaide2018EEG and TMS/EEG biomarkers of cognition, symptoms and function in major depressionClark SR, Goldsworthy M
Diana BolHonours, First Class, The University of Adelaide2018EEG and TMS/EEG biomarkers of cognition, symptoms and function in bipolar disorderClark SR, Schubert KO, Goldsworthy M

Anti-inflammatory treatment of inflammation associated depression (PREDDICT)

This study investigates the efficacy of the novel antidepressant Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). In addition, this study also evaluates whether the adjunction of an anti-inflammatory medication improves the efficacy of the antidepressant medication in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with MDD. The rational is that anti-inflammatory add-on therapy has previously demonstrated beneficial effects in the treatment of MDD.

This study includes people aged between 18 – 70 years of age suffering from depression. Interested participants should contact the research team, and read this Participant Information Sheet.

Email: [email protected]
Ph: +61 8 8313 7676

The Cognitive and Emotional Recovery Training Program for Depression (CERT-D)

This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of a novel psychological treatment approach for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The rationale is that targeted treatment in the domains of cognition, emotion processing, and social cognition will result in improved psychosocial functioning (e.g., social relationships, organisation, productivity) and overall mental health.

This study includes people 18-75 years of age with current Depression. Interested participants should contact the study research team, and read this Participant Information Sheet.

Email: [email protected]
Ph: +61 8 8313 7676

 
Ketamine for Adult Depression Study (KADS)
This is a national clinical trial investigating the use a ketamine for treatment of major depression.
If you are interested in participating or would like more information about this study, please contact the research team.
Ph: +61 8 8313 7676
Chief InvestigatorsGranting BodyProject TitleType of GrantTotal Grant AmountFunding Period
Clark SR, Schubert KO, Liu D, Galletly CJanssen-Cilag AustraliaImpact of Relapse in Schizophrenia Study (IRISS)Investigator initiated project grant$299,9692020-2021
Boyd M, Schubert KO, Clark SR, Gail M, Harding D, McMichael G, Baune B, Beckwith A, Shaw D, Tse EGilead SciencesEpclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) in people living with severe, enduring mental illness and chronic viral hepatitis C infectionInvestigator initiated project grant$951,1222019-2021
Clark SR, Toben C, Jawahar C, Symon J, Mills NRAH Research Committee (#10946)To investigate the assoication of complement, oxidative and inflammatory markers and BDNF with cognitive and general function in chronic psychosisClinical Project Grant$40,2422019-2020
Clark SR, Schubert KO, Watson D, Baune BTThe University of Adelaide Discipline of Psychiatry: Lundbeck InstituteTrajectories of response to Aripiprazole Maintena (TRAMS)$46,6672018
Rogerson T, Schubert KO, Toben C, Clark S, Baune BTSA RANZCPThe association between interleukin-1 and psychotic symptoms in patients treated with clozapine and aripiprazoleStudent grant$2,5002018
Clark SRHealth Services Charitable Gifts Board (101-25-12-6-18 and 141-11-59-06-28Transcranial magnetic stimulation and EEG equipmentProject Grant$93,2492018
Clarke SR, Toben C, Baune BTRAH Research Committee (#9754)Patterns of gene expression in chronic psychosis associated with cognitive and general functionClinical Project$49,8882017-2019
Baune BT, Clark SR
LundbeckTrajectories of Response to Aripiprazole Maintena Study (TRAMS)
$139,5712016-2018
Stacey D. Clark SR, Baune BTRoyal Adelaide Hospital Research FoundationLithium treatment response in bipolar disorder: functional characterisation of a genome-wide association study and a systems biology analysis using next generation RNA sequence dataClinical Project grant$48,6772015
Baune BT, Clark SRSA HealthSA Health Data: Chronic Psychosis: Morbidity, Morality and Service use in South AustraliaLinkage grant$7,2002014

International Collaborations include:

  • Conligen – The Consortium on Lithium Genetics
  • Psychiatric Genetics Consortium (PGC)
CollaboratorDepartment/CentreInstitutionCityCountry
Pat McGorry, Paul Amminger, Barnaby NelsonOrygen Youth HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
Bernhard T BauneUniversity Hospital of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyUniversity of MunsterMunsterGermany
Thomas G SchulzeConLiGen ConsortiumLudwig-Maximilian University of MunichMunichGermany