2. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 20142
Our mission is to
discover the ways to
better treat, prevent
and cure schizophrenia
3. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 3
Contents
Chairman’s Report 4
CEO’s Report 6
Board Members 8
About Us 12
Research Overview 14
Our Stories 16
Richard Schweizer 17
Eva Urban 18
Dr Georgie Paulik-White 19
SRI in the Media 20
Our Research 22
Australian Schizophrenia Research Bank 23
Schizophrenia Library 24
Cognitive Neuroscience 25
Professor Ulrich Schall 26
Dr Juanita Todd 27
Ross Fulham 28
Dr Nishantha Kumarasinghe 29
Developmental Neurobiology 30
Professor Cyndi Shannon Weickert 31
Dr Thomas Weickert 32
Dr Tim Karl 33
Professor Xu-Feng Huang 34
Assoc Professor Chao Deng 35
Assoc Professor Murray Cairns 36
Dr Katrina Green 37
Natalie Matosin 38
Epidemiology and Population Health 39
NSW Child Development Study 40
Assoc Professor Melissa Green 41
Our Community 42
Fundraising success 44
Major partners and supporters 45
Supporter acknowledgement 47
Our Organisation 48
Finance 49
Employees and funded positions 50
Supported students 51
Scientific affiliates 53
Grants 56
Publications 59
4. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 20144
Their exemplary work is leading to tangible ways
for people with schizophrenia and their families
to lead better lives, thanks to new therapies being
delivered and an increased understanding of
how drug treatments can be improved. We are
incredibly proud of the calibre of our researchers
and their work, and have every belief that this
will continue in the coming year as the Institute
embraces some key structural changes.
Due to alterations in state government policy,
the Institute is no longer eligible to receive
infrastructure funding from the Mental Health
Drug and Alcohol Office of the NSW Ministry of
Health. In future, infrastructure support for medical
research institutes will only be provided through
the NSW Office of Health and Medical Research.
The termination of government funding represents
a seismic shift in how the Institute will need to
operate, but rest assured that our key goals of
pursuing better treatments and a cure
for schizophrenia will stay unchanged.
We remain single-minded in our desire to find a
cure for schizophrenia. Our vision to understand,
better treat, prevent and cure schizophrenia
remains our primary focus.
You will notice over the coming year a new physical
location for the Institute and an affiliation with
another health research facility, but the Board of
Directors is adamant that the Institute will retain its
identity as well as its strong network of dedicated
scientists. It is our keen hope that you will continue
to support us during this time of transition so that
we may continue to carry on our promising research.
We also expect to see a move into more clinical
trials as a result of the research delivered this
year by both Professor Xu-Feng Huang, whose
work with olanzapine derivatives offers hope
of an antipsychotic medication with no weight
gain side-effects, and by Professor Cyndi
Shannon Weickert, whose understanding
of the role of inflammation in the brain in
schizophrenia is leading to the identification
of subtypes that may respond well to tailored
anti-inflammatory treatments.
This Annual Report contains many more examples
of hope, as we maintain our focus of taking
what is learned in the lab and translating it into
programs and treatments that can be introduced
into the community. It is through your continued
involvement that we will be able to do this.
It is absolutely critical
that we continue to talk
about the need for mental
health research.
“
“
2014 has been a year of remarkable results as our scientists have made
significant advances in their understanding of what causes schizophrenia
and how best to treat it.
Chairman’s Report
5. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 5
Fundraising has been a challenge as the
Institute faces increased competition in the
charity sector, but we are fortunate to have a
loyal group of supporters who raise awareness
of the need for schizophrenia research by creating
their own initiatives. You will soon read the stories
of Lucy Eykamp and Luke Mansfield (page 44)
who have both undertaken incredible physical
challenges and together raised close to $14,000
for the Institute.
We have increasingly found that the power of
telling our personal stories has the ability to
challenge the stigma of schizophrenia. Professor
Cyndi Shannon Weickert took to the Opera House
stage as part of the Sydney TEDx conference
and spoke passionately and eloquently of the
love she has for her brother, and how his life and
experiences compel her search for answers. My
son Richard and I were grateful to share, in the
Sydney Morning Herald’s Two of Us column in
May, the ways in which we have grown as a family
following the challenges presented by Richard’s
diagnosis. It is terrific to know that we may have
corrected some misapprehensions about the
illness and started essential conversations about
mental health.
It is absolutely critical that we continue to talk
about the need for mental health research. The
more we do this, and the more times we lend a
human face to these endeavours, the greater our
chance for success. So I want to thank all of our
donors who have supported us this year. Whether
as an individual who participated in the Sydney
City Scramble or a corporation who supported
our Spark of Genius fundraising gala, you have
all actively been part of a conversation that will
enable our network of scientists to continue
their essential work.
We hope that you will continue to work in
concert with us as we transition into a new way
of delivering world-class results in schizophrenia
research, and a hope for an improved future.
Norbert Schweizer
Chairman
6. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 20146
The Schizophrenia Research Institute will undergo a transition in the way
it operates in the coming year, but we expect to build on the successes
of 2014 to ensure that our focus on understanding and better treating
schizophrenia will not be disrupted.
Among the many advances of which we can
be proud, the Australian Schizophrenia Research
Bank’s involvement in an international genetic
study investigating the cause of schizophrenia
is surely at the top. The Bank contributed
genetic material and associated data for 1,114
schizophrenia-affected participants and controls,
which enabled the study to identify 108 genes
associated with schizophrenia, 83 of which had
not previously been recognised. A remarkable
aspect of this finding was that these genes, which
are mostly concerned with neural development
and the immune system, are all normal variants.
That is, they are shared to one degree or another
by the general population.
Our research not only contributes to how the
international scientific community understands
schizophrenia, but also informs mental health
policies. Schizophrenia Library reviewers Alana
Shepherd and Sandra Matheson, as well as myself,
have been commissioned by the Sax Institute
to contribute evidence reviews that inform best
practices on the care and management of
suicidal behaviour, and on transition from long
term hospitalisation to the community. These
evidence briefs are an integral part of creating
improved mental health practices, and we
anticipate that this association with policy
makers will continue.
The NSW Child Development Study has
reached its midway phase and is beginning to
deliver enlightening results. The questionnaire
component, referred to as the Middle Childhood
Survey, has been tested in a feasibility study
involving 11 schools. Its success means that we
can confidently deliver a state-wide roll-out in
2015. In one set of results we found an association
between hospitalisation for childhood infections
and psychological vulnerabilities at age five.
Our researchers, too, continue to deliver results
that in the not-distant future will bring a measure
of relief to those with schizophrenia. Dr Katrina
Green has identified an anti-diabetic drug,
Our research not only
contributes to how the
international scientific
community understands
schizophrenia, but also
informs mental health
policies.
CEO’s Report
“
“
7. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 7
which was discovered thanks to the properties
of lizard saliva, that could end weight gain
side-effects for people using antipsychotics.
Dr Georgie Paulik has developed Cognitive
Behavioural Relating Therapy, a treatment that
allows people with schizophrenia to develop
a healthier interpersonal relationship with the
voices they hear. And Associate Professor Melissa
Green’s research into the genetic and biological
processes that contribute to the development
of schizophrenia may result in more effective
treatment options for people whose symptoms
have developed as a response to trauma.
Thank you for continuing with us on this path
for answers. Your support has meant that this
year the Institute has been able to facilitate the
work of 202 scientists and administer more than
$4.5 million in grants. This has resulted in the
publication of 73 articles in 41 peer-reviewed
journals during the 2014 calendar year. Institute-
supported students have completed 47 PhDs, 5
Masters and 22 Honours degrees, thus ensuring
that the future of schizophrenia research will
continue to go from strength to strength.
The benefit of change is that it brings with it
increased opportunities for new breakthroughs
and discoveries. Our team of scientists could
not be better placed to take advantage of these
opportunities. We sincerely hope that you, too,
will be encouraged by how far we have come
and confident of how far we will go to find
better treatments and a cure for schizophrenia.
Vaughan Carr
Chief Executive Officer
9. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 9
Norbert Schweizer
Chairman
Non-Executive Director
Norbert Schweizer joined the Board in
June 2011. He is the founding partner of
Schweizer Kobras, Lawyers and Notaries and
an accredited specialist in business law. He is
a Life Member and former Chairman of the
Silver Committee of the Royal NSW Institute
for Deaf and Blind Children and a former Board
Member and President of Emanuel Synagogue
in Woollahra (of which he is a life governor).
Norbert is Deputy Chairman of B’nai B’rith
Retirement Villages Limited and a foundation
director of the Swiss-Australia Chamber of
Commerce and Industry. He is also a non-
executive director of a number of companies
in the electrical distribution and transmission
and building services industries.
Matthew Cullen
Deputy Chair
Non-Executive Director
Matthew Cullen joined the board in 2004.
He is Group Executive of Medibank Health
Solutions and Visiting Medical Officer St
Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. He is a Fellow
of the Royal Australian and New Zealand
College of Psychiatrists, a Member of the
Australian Institute of Company Directors,
and Associate Fellow of the Australian
College of Health Service Executives. Dr
Cullen was previously a Member of the
NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal and
a Board Member of the Schizophrenia
Fellowship of NSW.
Chad Barton
Chair of Finance Sub-Committee
Non-Executive Director
Chad Barton joined the Board in 2011.
He is Chief Financial Officer of Echo
Entertainment Group Limited, one of
Australia’s largest listed entertainment
groups. He brings extensive senior finance
in listed and large global corporates, previously
serving as Chief Financial Officer for Salmat
Limited and Electronic Data Systems (EDS),
a HP company. Chad is a chartered Accountant
and Member of the Australian Institute of
Company Directors.
10. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201410
Vaughan Carr
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Director
A board member since 2004, Prof. Vaughan
Carr is the CEO of the Schizophrenia Research
Institute and Professor of Schizophrenia
Epidemiology and Population Health at the
University of New South Wales. He also holds
the positions of Adjunct Professor at Monash
University and consultant psychiatrist at
Monash Health. He was previously Professor
of Psychiatry at the University of Newcastle
and Past President, Australasian Society for
Psychiatric Research.
Chris McDiven AM
Secretary
Non-Executive Director
Currently Director, Chris joined the board in 2009
and was the Chairman from 2010 to 2013 . She
is a Company Director. Chris was awarded the
Order of Australia (AM) in 2011. Formerly Federal
President of the Liberal Party of Australia, Liberal
Party State President NSW, President of the NSW
Kambala School Council; Director Association
of Independent Schools (NSW), Chair of the
International Women’s Democrat Union, member
of the organising committee International
Conference of Political Parties. Other previous
positions included President of the Liberal
Federal Women’s Committee, and board
member of the Menzies Research Centre, the
Australian Sports Foundation, the Keep Australia
Beautiful Council, the National Foundation of
Australian Women, and the Powerhouse Museum
Fundraising Committee.
Anthony Harris
Non-Executive Director
Associate Professor in the Discipline of
Psychiatry at the University of Sydney and
is the Clinical Director at the Brain Dynamics
Centre, Westmead Millennium Institute
of Medical Research. He is a senior staff
specialist for the Western Sydney Local Health
Network where he works in the Prevention
Early Intervention and Recovery Service
caring for young people with severe mental
illnesses such as schizophrenia. Dr Harris is
an active researcher examining the treatment,
psychophysiology and neuroimaging of young
people with psychosis and depression, cognitive
remediation techniques and the development
of innovative educational resources in mental
health. He is the current President of the
Schizophrenia Fellowship of New South Wales
and is on the Board of the Mental Illness
Fellowship of Australia.
11. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 11
Rita Mallia
Non-Executive Director
A board member since 2003, Rita Mallia is
the President of the Construction Forestry
Mining and Energy Union (NSW Branch)
Construction and General Division Prior to
2011, Rita was the Senior Legal Officer of the
Union. Director of NSW Dust Disease Board.
Director of the Asbestos Diseases Research
Foundation, Director of United Super Pty
Ltd and ACIRT Pty Ltd.
Sheryl Weil GAICD
Non-Executive Director
Sheryl is an Executive Director, the Head
of Service Sales Centre & Operations and a
member of the Executive Committee within
Macquarie Group Ltd’s Banking and Financial
Services Group. She is the Queensland Office
Head for Macquarie Group Ltd and has extensive
experience in call centres, operations, client
service, leadership and people management.
She is a passionate advocate for mental health
and is the executive sponsor of the Wellness
Employee Network Group. Sheryl has been a
longstanding board member of the Macquarie
Group Foundation and is on the board of
directors of the National Lifeline Board.
Jennie Churchill
Non-Executive Director
Jennie has more than 30 years leadership
and management experience across a range
of professional fields including not-for-profit
leadership, media and communications,
government advisory roles and a 20-year
career as a veterinary scientist and business
partner. A former Director of the Veterinary
Science Foundation at the University of
Sydney, Jennie led or held senior roles with
other not-for-profit organisations including the
Australian Common Ground Alliance (chronic
homelessness). A published author and former
media presenter, Jennie is a Graduate of the
Australian Institute of Company Directors and
sits on a number of not-for-profit boards. She
joined the SRI Board in November 2013.
12. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201412
To understand, better treat, prevent and
cure schizophrenia
1996Established as Neuroscience
Institute of Schizophrenia and
Allied Disorders (NISAD)
about the schizophrenia research
> OUR MISSION
Name changed to
Schizophrenia
Research
Institute
Australian Schizophrenia
Research Bank (ASRB)
launched
2010 Number of
presentations made
by our scientists
at conferences
in Australia and
internationally
104
1 in
100
Amount invested
in schizophrenia
research in the
past year
$4m
Number of people who have or will develop schizophrenia
13. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 13
institute – our work in numbers
1,000Number of individuals with and
without schizophrenia who donated
genetic material to the ASRB
Cost of
schizophrenia on
the community in
healthcare and lost
productivity
$2.6bn
Total grant money
awarded by NHMRC
$120m
Number of scientists
supported by SRI
Number of
articles published
in peer-reviewed
journals
Number of research projects the
ASRB has contributed to 2013-2014
Number of Institute-supported students awarded research higher degrees
61
There is currently no cure
for schizophrenia and better
treatments are urgently required.
Your support of the Institute will
get us there much sooner.
annually
7 3
Number of
journals that
have published
our research
41
2 2
14. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201414
The Institute was established by passionate
scientist and parents of people with schizophrenia
in 1996 as Australia’s first virtual medical research
institute at a time when little research was being
done into schizophrenia in NSW.
The organisation conducts and supports
schizophrenia research in hospitals, universities
and research institutes across the country and
internationally. With a national network of 200
researchers, the Institute drives a proactive
agenda, has invested close to $4 million in the past
year and has had numerous successes to date.
The Institute has invested
close to $4 million in the
past year and has had
numerous successes
to date.
The Schizophrenia Research Institute is the only national medical research
institute solely dedicated to discovering the ways to better understand, treat,
prevent and cure schizophrenia.
Epidemiology and
population health
The scientific study of the patterns
of distribution of disease in
populations, the identification of
antecedents and risk factors, and
the measurement of outcomes
of treatment effects in whole
populations.
Cognitive
Neuroscience
The scientific study of the
biological basis of cognitive
functions with the aim of
understanding the structure
and function of the brain in
health and disease.
Developmental
Neurobiology
The scientific study of
the molecular and cellular
basis of healthy and
abnormal brain
development.
Research Overview
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“
15. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 15
Successful outcomes in
research are demonstrated
by publications in scientific
journals, presentations at
conferences and academic
progression.
Research Outcomes
Successful outcomes in research are demonstrated
by publications in scientific journals, presentations
at conferences and academic progression.
Over this year Institute support has contributed
to 73 publications in peer-reviewed journals and
Institute researchers have made 104 presentations at
scientific conferences in Australia and internationally.
Institute supported students were also
awarded 61 research higher degrees (47 were
Schizophrenia Research Institute-supported
and 14 were Australian Schizophrenia Research
Bank-supported) including 42 PhD, eight Masters
Degrees and 11 Honours Degrees.
Research Partners
Universities, Institutes and Hospitals
The Institute has formal agreements with
universities and institutes to conduct research
at the following locations:
New South Wales
• ANSTO
• Bloomfield Hospital
• Garvan Institute
• Hunter New England Area Health Service
• Hunter Area Pathology Service
• James Fletcher Hospital
• Macquarie University
• NSW Health InforMH
• Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Office
• The Mater Hospital
• Neuroscience Research Australia
• St Vincent’s Hospital
• University of Sydney
• University of NSW
• University of Wollongong
• University of Newcastle
• Victor Chang Research Institute
• Westmead Hospital
Queensland
University of Queensland and Queensland Centre
for Mental Health Research
Victoria
Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre
Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria
University of Melbourne
Western Australia
Centre for Clinical Research on Neuropsychiatry
University of WA
“
“
16. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201416
Sharing stories is one of the most effective
ways to let people know of the work and the
success of the Institute. This year, two of our
ambassadors have spoken about their personal
journeys with schizophrenia to help increase
people’s awareness and understanding of
the illness. Our scientists, too, have taken to
various stages to tell the world of their many
breakthroughs. It is the Institute’s hope that
you are inspired by the following tales.
Sharing stories is one of the most effective
ways to let people know of the work and
the success of the Institute. This year, two
of our ambassadors have spoken about
their personal journeys with schizophrenia
to help increase people’s awareness and
understanding of the illness. Our scientists,
too, have taken to various stages to tell
the world of their many breakthroughs. It
is the Institute’s hope that you are inspired
by the following tales.
17. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 17
There is a mirror with the image of a lighthouse
etched into it in the Schweizer home that holds a
great deal of meaning for the family. It’s an elegant
piece that is an integral part of their history. It may
also reflect an aspect of their future, for Richard,
the eldest Schweizer son, has become a beacon
of hope for many people living with schizophrenia.
Diagnosed at age 22 while studying law, Richard
has not let schizophrenia divert him from the path
of an intellectual life, but rather has allowed his
experiences to inform a slightly different direction.
He is in the final stages of completing his PhD
in sociology, writing about how a schizophrenia
diagnosis can affect a person’s identity and the
ways to best rebuild that sense of self.
This year he has also had the opportunity to
speak to a diverse range of people through a
wide variety of mediums about his experiences
with schizophrenia. He has appeared on Natasha
Mitchell’s ABC radio program All In The Mind,
contributed a three-part essay to Neuroscience
Research Australia’s blog and, along with his father,
has spoken with the Sydney Morning Herald for the
Two Of US column in their weekend magazine.
“It’s not always easy, at times it can make me feel
like I’m opening my heart to the world,” Richard
says, “but I do it to help other people. I want to
destigmatise the illness, I want to give other people
hope or help them to understand the illness.”
The responses Richard has received from
speaking publicly about schizophrenia have been
overwhelmingly positive and have often started
many conversations, allowing people to open up
about their own experiences. “I’m a magnet for
people to tell me their own stories,” he says with
a small smile. “It’s an honour for people to share
their stories with me. Sometimes it makes me a bit
tired, but communication is at the centre of what I
do for the Institute and I just hope I’ll be able to do
it for many years into the future.”
Richard will continue to speak publicly as an
ambassador for the Institute and as an advocate
for those who have received a diagnosis of mental
illness. Undoubtedly, he will also continue to be an
example of hope for others who may feel helpless.
“I do this because I want to turn what was the
worst thing in my life into something that is a
better thing, if not the best thing,” he says.
It’s not always easy,
at times it can make me
feel like I’m opening my
heart to the world
“
“
Richard Schweizer
Guiding Light
Hoping to see greater acceptance for people with schizophrenia and an improved
understanding of what the illness is, Richard Schweizer has welcomed many
opportunities to share his thoughts this year.
18. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201418
Eva has a strong desire
to see improved treatments
for schizophrenia in the near
future, which has fuelled her
passion for fundraising.
“
“
There’s no more powerful force in the world than a
mother motivated by the love she has for her child.
This becomes apparent within minutes of meeting
and speaking with Eva Urban who has such a
passion for raising funds for schizophrenia research
that, in the past two years, she has raised more
than $14,000 for the Institute.
Part of this came from a grant administered
through Eva’s workplace, Suncorp, who have
created the Brighter Futures Staff Giving Program
that allows employees to apply for grants on behalf
of the causes that are close to their hearts. Eva
was successful in securing $10,000 for Dr Katrina
Green’s research into a treatment that will help to
reduce the incidence of diabetes associated with
antipsychotic use and may also help to improve
cognition (go to page 37 to read more).
Eva has been in the unique position of growing
up with a mother who had schizophrenia, during
which time she learned many valuable skills that
has allowed her to now care for and nurture
her own daughter, who has schizophrenia. This
experience has also given Eva a strong desire
to see improved treatments for schizophrenia
in the near future, which has fuelled her passion
for fundraising.
“As you know, fundraising for charities is a lot of
hard work,” she says in a Suncorp meeting room
one sunny afternoon, “and schizophrenia is not a
welcoming term in the community so it does
seem to be a lot harder to get financial support.
I’ve tried lots of things including writing to MPs,
writing to big corporates, using LinkedIn and
various other strategies.”
Eva has also run in the Sydney City2Surf as part
of the Institute’s Gold Donor team, participated for
many years in our STOP for Schizophrenia online
fundraising campaign and organised a fundraising
barbecue for family and friends. If that all sounds
exhausting, rest assured, it is.
This year Eva found a way to work smarter, not
harder in her fundraising efforts. “I thought, what
is a better, more time efficient way for me to be
able to get the amount of money that I’d like? A
Suncorp grant seemed to be the best option and
that’s why I went through the process because it
was actually quite easy.”
While Eva was able to take a moment to
appreciate the success of her grant application and
has spent time with its recipient, Dr Katrina Green,
discussing the benefits that her research will bring,
she hasn’t put her feet up. She’s still planning the
next move. “I’m actually going to partner up with
another gentleman here at Suncorp who does a
lot of charity work,” she says. “We’re talking about
some different ideas. I’m always thinking of ideas
to promote schizophrenia research.”
As a guest speaker at this year’s Spark of Genius, Eva Urban was able to share her
family’s story of schizophrenia and why she is so passionate about raising money
for schizophrenia research.
Eva’s passion
for fundraising
has meant Dr
Katrina Green has
received $10,000
for her research
into reducing
antipsychotic
side effects.
Eva Urban
Passion Project
19. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 19
Cognitive Behavioural Relating Therapy (CBRT)
is a novel treatment, developed by Perth-based
psychologist Dr Georgie Paulik, that aims to
improve how people relate to the voices they
hear, as well as other people socially, and
decrease the amount of distress caused by
persistent voice-hearing.
This Institute-supported researcher and therapist
found, through her experience in clinical practice,
that many voice hearers perceived the voices to
have greater power and assertiveness relative
to themselves, which caused distress and made
many feel reluctant to develop a relationship with
the voices.
Dr Paulik discovered that teaching people how
to relate to these voices with a sense of authority
and intimacy was an effective way to overcome
this obstacle. “Some people didn’t want to
engage with their voices, as there was an element
of fear and intimidation in the relationship, so
teaching them how to respond assertively helped
to improve this relationship,” Dr Paulik explains.
“CBRT encourages people to question the beliefs
they hold about a voice’s power and the way in
which they relate to the voices, which improves
the relationship between the voice and voice
hearer and, subsequently, can improve how they
relate socially to other people too.”
The therapy was initially developed to be used
in one-on-one sessions but has since grown to
include group therapy sessions. Study results
investigating the efficacy of CBRT have found
that participants expressed positive changes
in the way they related to the voices, their self-
esteem improved, and voice-related distress
was reduced.
Voice-hearing is not an
experience limited to
schizophrenia or psychosis;
10-25% of people will hear a
hallucinatory voice at some
stage in their lives.
Dr. Georgie Paulik-White
Improving a person’s relationship with
hallucinating voices
Dr Georgie Paulik-White is a Clinical Psychologist and Adjunct Lecturer at the
University of Western Australia. She has developed Cognitive Behavioural Relating
Therapy, a treatment that allows people with schizophrenia to develop a healthier
interpersonal relationship with the voices they hear.
“
“
20. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201420
The ABC’s Radio
National has been a huge
supporter of the Institute
this year, devoting an
entire program to the
launch of Assoc Professor
Melissa Green’s Brain
Training lab.
“
“
Professor Cyndi Shannon Weickert had the honour
of taking to the Sydney Opera House stage in
May as part of TEDxSydney, a public conference
devoted to sharing stories and ideas that can
bring positive change. For 15 minutes, Professor
Shannon Weickert captivated the packed audience
by speaking about how her twin brother’s
experience of having schizophrenia has inspired
her research into understanding the causes
of schizophrenia.
“My brother and I came from the same womb,”
she said, “so it was clear to me that his condition
was not due to an early embryonic event. And he
developed fine as child, in fact he was very smart
- so there had to be a major event in adolescence
that triggered the condition.” Her research career,
which has spanned 30 years, has brought her so
much closer to providing answers and we are so
thankful that she was able to share her story as
well her breakthroughs with such a large audience.
A video of Professor Shannon Weickert’s speech
is available on the TEDxSydney website.
You can also hear interviews with Professor
Shannon Weickert on the ABC’s Radio National
site. The broadcaster has been a huge supporter
of the Institute this year, devoting an entire
program to the launch of Professor Melissa
Green’s Brain Training lab and the relief it can
bring to participants.
Patient ambassador Kathleen Smith, who
developed and launched a mindfulness app
that helps to control the anxiety associated with
her schizophrenia, this year shared with Good
Health magazine the various ways in which she
manages her symptoms and how the stigma of
schizophrenia affects her life. The magazine
aimed to present stories of women who had
a mental illness and had carved out satisfying
lives for themselves. Kathleen’s story made an
incredible impact.
The Two of Us column in the Sydney Morning
Herald featured an honest and heart-warming
interview with Chairman of the Institute’s Board,
Norbert Schweizer, and his son Richard, as they
reflected on how schizophrenia can impact an
entire family. The feedback they received from
this was overwhelmingly positive and has no
doubt corrected some of the misapprehensions
many people have about schizophrenia. Small
advances such as these will lead to a society
that has a greater awareness and understanding
of schizophrenia.
SR/in the Media
To inform and inspire
Schizophrenia has a long history of being misunderstood by the general public.
This year the Institute has had great success in using the media to address the
stigma associated with the condition.
21. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 21
Thank you to all our scientists, researchers
and associated support teams.
Your tireless efforts make the lives of those
with schizophrenia easier with every new
discovery you make.
22. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201422
We have some of the finest minds in the country
working to achieve our goal of creating better
treatments for schizophrenia and, one day, finding a
cure. In the past year we’ve pursued that mission in
many ways; we’ve expanded our research to develop
programs available to the community and found
innovative ways to explore new research pathways.
In the following pages you’ll see the many steps that
have brought us closer to our goals.
23. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 23
In July of 2014 the Australian Schizophrenia
Research Bank (ASRB) contributed DNA and data
for a total of 1,114 participants in a genome-wide
association study (GWAS) conducted by a large
multinational, collaborative team of researchers.
It was one of the largest molecular genetic
studies ever conducted investigating the genetic
contributions to the causes of schizophrenia.
What it discovered is remarkable. The study,
which made headlines worldwide, identified 108
genes associated with schizophrenia, 83 of which
had not been previously reported. These findings
offer researchers new biological insights into the
possible mechanisms underlying schizophrenia
and provide a framework for future studies.
Specifically, it has identified promising targets
for potential new therapies and provides strong
evidence for the idea that the immune system
as well as neurodevelopmental pathways and
neurotransmitters are involved in the development
of schizophrenia.
“This is particularly exciting news for us,” says
ASRB manager Professor Carmel Loughland,
“as we have several researchers looking deeply
into the response of the immune system and
inflammation within the brain, as well as the
potential for drugs to work on a number of brain
receptors, particularly glutamate receptors. This
confirms that the Institute is making valuable
contributions to international research.”
The ASRB supports local and international
research by providing clinical and cognitive
assessments, DNA samples and MRI brain scans
to researchers. In addition to the GWAS mentioned
above, the ASRB has contributed to 71 studies in
Australia and worldwide.
These findings offer
researchers new biological
insights into the possible
mechanisms underlying
schizophrenia.
ASRB Project Types 2009 - 2014
Data Analysis
7%
Genetic
25%
Participant
Recruitment
52%
Imaging
16%
The Australian Schizophrenia Research Bank contributed essential genetic material to
an international study that offers hope and insight into the causes of schizophrenia.
ASRB involved in
world-first study
“
“
24. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201424
Since its redesign and relaunch in 2013, the
Schizophrenia Library has gone from strength to
strength, attracting more than 500 visitors per
month from all around the world. Clinicians and
researchers have made use of the high quality
evidence review of more than 439 topics relating
to the symptoms, diagnosis, causes and treatment
of schizophrenia, among other topics.
The quality of information has led to requests for
Schizophrenia Library staff to review literature in
associated mental health fields. Sandra Matheson,
Alana Shepherd and Professor Vaughan Carr
contributed a paper to the Sax Institute, which
acts as a bridge between researchers and mental
health policy makers that reviewed current models
of care for the management of suicidal behaviour.
The report recommended that training programs
should be readily available to increase clinicians’
knowledge of suicidality, depression and distress.
In 2014 Sandra Matheson contributed to the
research field’s understanding of schizophrenia
by assessing the latest review papers from various
current avenues of research. “Researchers can
sometimes get focused on their own particular
areas of interest,” she says. “My hope is that this
paper will help people to think outside the square.”
In creating this overview of schizophrenia research,
Ms Matheson concluded that while our knowledge
of schizophrenia is very substantial, a deep
understanding of it remains limited. The good
news is that there were several key areas of
research that were particularly noteworthy in terms
of the strength of evidence and size of the effect.
The efficacy of psychosocial treatments when used
in concert with medication and studies exploring
the involvement of infection and immunological
markers in the development of schizophrenia,
were two stand-outs.
The summaries of many of these studies
can be found in the Schizophrenia Library.
www.schizophreniaresearch.org.au/library/
Clinicians and researchers
have made use of the high
quality evidence review of
more than 439 topics
relating to the symptoms,
diagnosis, causes and
treatment of schizophrenia.
The Schizophrenia Library’s high quality information continues to be a popular source of
information for families, clinicians, scientists and policy-makers.
Popularity of Schizophrenia
Library grows
“
“
25. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 25
Cognitive
neuroscience
Under the leadership of Professor Ulrich Schall, this
group has members located at the University of
Newcastle, Macquarie University, at the University of
NSW at St Vincent’s Hospital and at Neuroscience
Research Australia (NeuRA). It conducts research on
the structure and function of the brain in schizophrenia
as well as potential new treatments.
26. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201426
In 2011 Professor Ulrich Schall started the five-year
Minds in Transition (MinT) study to identify the
early signs of changing mental health in young
people and how psychosis develops over time.
The findings of this study have allowed Prof. Schall
and his Newcastle-based team to create a referral
system that will allow young people to access
mental health experts sooner.
“Along with substance abuse problems, emerging
mental health difficulties are significant problems
facing many youth today,” says Prof Schall. “We’d
like to see those who are at risk of developing
psychosis or other mental health problems
access the help they need as soon as the
early signs appear.”
Studies have already established that the earlier
a person is able to receive the medical help they
need, the more improved their treatment outcomes
are likely to be. The MinT study provided Prof
Schall with a set of early signs and symptoms that
often occur during the early stages of a mental
illness, including before a first psychotic episode.
The team then created a model of care based
on this information that allows GPs to identify
which of their patients are likely to benefit from
additional care.
The model of care outlines a best-practice
mental health referral system that will allow
GPs to direct their patients to specialists that
are experienced in assisting young people with
an emerging mental illness.
“Until we can actually prevent people from having
to suffer a mental illness, this is the next best thing
we can currently do,” says Prof. Schall. “By ensuring
that young people have easy access to people
trained to reduce the impact of an illness such as
schizophrenia, we are improving their chances at
leading a much healthier life.”
By ensuring that young
people have easy access to
people trained to reduce
the impact of an illness such
as schizophrenia, we are
improving their chances at
leading a much healthier life.
“
“
Professor Ulrich Schall, based at the University of Newcastle, is the Chair of Cognitive
Neuroscience and is specifically interested in the brain structure and function of young
people at risk of developing schizophrenia.
Prof. Ulrich Schall
New mental health treatment plan for young people
27. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 27
In a report written for Frontiers in Psychiatry, Dr
Juanita Todd put forward an argument about the
value of studying Mismatch Negativity (MMN) in
schizophrenia and its potential in revealing new
antipsychotic treatment options.
MMN is the auditory response that occurs when
a sound fails to match our predictions about
the environment around us. It has been found
that people with schizophrenia display a smaller
reaction to a prediction violation than healthy
controls. “Understanding MMN holds so much
potential as a tool in the study of biological
changes associated with schizophrenia,” Dr Todd
argues. Indeed, current studies by Dr Todd and
colleagues reveal that the smaller MMN amplitude
may also be helpful in identifying those who are
at risk of developing schizophrenia.
In her report Dr Todd highlights that there are
two strong arguments that may explain the
smaller MMN amplitude evident in people with
schizophrenia. The first is associated with the loss
of grey matter in the auditory areas of the brain,
which could be due to developmental problems or
a lack of sustained support as these areas mature.
The second argument focuses on impairment in
NMDA (a particular type of glutamate receptor)
neurotransmission in a section of the brain
associated with hearing. Other scientists within
the Institute are also looking at antipsychotics
that could improve the function of NMDA
neurotransmission, providing further hope
for better treatments.
Understanding the underlying causes of MMN will
help direct future research into possible new drug
treatments and our scientists are at the forefront
of these discoveries. “Our awareness of how MMN
influences learning and perception continues
to grow and challenge existing knowledge,” Dr
Todd explains. “There are many fruitful avenues of
research currently open to scientists in this area
and we hope that these will help us to identify new
pharmacological treatments that address some of
the deficits associated with schizophrenia.”
150
Number of papers
supporting the findings of
smaller MMN amplitude in
people with schizophrenia.
Dr Juanita Todd, at the University of Newcastle, specialises in measuring the brain’s
predictions about sound. She has been awarded major competitive NHMRC funding
to support her research.
Dr. Juanita Todd
Gains made in the study of mismatch negativity
Our awareness of how
MMN influences learning
and perception continues to
grow and challenge existing
knowledge.
“
“
28. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201428
Our University of Newcastle team, featuring
Professor Ulli Schall, Professor Pat Michie and
Dr Juanita Todd, have made impressive advances
investigating subtle deficits in auditory function
associated with schizophrenia. They have been
instrumental in establishing that Mismatch
Negativity (MMN), a response to unexpected
sounds, is substantially reduced in people
with schizophrenia and predicts how well they
function in everyday life. This information is vital
in understanding the causes of neural dysfunction
related to schizophrenia.
More recently, studies from the Newcastle team
have shown that the reduction in MMN is evident
in people with schizophrenia as early as 12 months
after diagnosis. New studies are now exploring
whether MMN reduction is also present in people
who are at high risk of developing schizophrenia.
If this happens to be the case, MMN could become
an accurate biological predictor of schizophrenia,
which will make much earlier diagnosis and
treatment possible.
Ross has also been working closely with Dr
Lauren Harms at the University of Newcastle in
an animal-study of MMN, based on the idea that
a prenatal maternal immune response increases
the risk of developing schizophrenia. They have
been studying the neurotransmitter system
that is associated with MMN in the hopes of
identifying new treatment options.
The support that Ross offers to our scientists
is incredibly valuable, allowing them to take full
advantage of the technology available to them.
“Over recent years the technology to study
brain function has expanded enormously, along
with the sophistication of our understanding of
cognitive processes,” Ross explains. “As a result
it is becoming more and more vital that research
groups maintain a critical mass of both scientific
and technical staff to enable the cutting edge
research that is happening in Australia today.”
Over recent years the
technology to study brain
function has expanded
enormously, along with
the sophistication of our
understanding of cognitive
processes.
Ross Fulham has a background in Computer Engineering and provides essential technical
support, such as equipment design, advanced data analysis and computer modelling to a
number of scientists based in Sydney and at the University of Newcastle. These are a few
of the studies he has facilitated this year.
Advancing science through technology
Ross Fulham
“
“
29. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 29
Currently, clinicians rely on the presence of a
handful of symptoms to diagnose schizophrenia,
which can sometimes delay correct identification
of the illness. Dr Nishantha Kumarsinghe has
published a study that may point to the loss of
grey matter in particular areas of the brain as a
physical indication of the onset of schizophrenia.
It was also revealed that the grey matter losses
occurred in a short amount of time around the
onset of the illness and that these losses occurred
in brain areas associated with the cognitive deficits
seen in schizophrenia. The study also found that
symptom severity and treatment response were
associated with grey matter deficits in older
patients with a longer history of untreated illness.
This information may help to create new
diagnostic guidelines that include certain changes
in the brain, and enable people to get an accurate
diagnosis sooner.
Dr Nishantha Kumarasinghe was supported by SRI and ASRB for his PhD at the
University of Newcastle, supervised by Professors Paul Tooney and Ulrich Schall.
Dr. Nishantha Kumarasinghe
Brain imaging may help in schizophrenia diagnosis
30. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201430
Developmental
neurobiology
Developmental Neurobiology research is conducted at three primary locations.
It includes the Schizophrenia Research Lab*, based at Neuroscience Research
Australia (NeuRA), which is headed by Professor Cyndi Shannon Weickert. Many
of the NeuRA team are affiliated with the University of NSW. Other major sites
in the developmental neurobiology group are the University of Wollongong
and University of Newcastle. Their aim is to better understand the interactions
between genes and environment, and how these interactions affect molecular
and cellular functioning of the brain in the development of schizophrenia.
* The Schizophrenia Research Laboratory is a joint initiative of the Schizophrenia Research Institute,
University of New South Wales, Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and the Macquarie
Group Foundation. It is supported by the NSW Ministry of Health.
31. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 31
Professor Cyndi Shannon Weickert’s lab, based
at NeuRA, has experienced a very successful
year. Over the course of several studies they have
found further evidence for inflammation in the
brains of people with schizophrenia. Their research
has identified indications of tissue damage in
the brains of a subset of people diagnosed with
schizophrenia, associated with an increase in
cytokines, which are proteins produced by
several immune-related cells.
This subset of schizophrenia also shows further
signs of inflammation in the brain, specifically
an increase of glial cells, which help to support
and protect neurons, as well as an increase of
astrocytes, which repair damage in the brain.
The team believes that this is a strong indication
that we need to develop therapies that are aimed
at improving the immune system response of
people with schizophrenia.
Research conducted by Prof. Shannon
Weikert’s team has determined that illnesses
such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are
associated with a number of alterations in the
brain’s response to inflammation, and how the
body responds to the presence of biological
stress. The team has also found a way to identify
people with this form of schizophrenia via blood
analysis. This information could lead us closer to
successfully identifying subtypes of schizophrenia
with different contributing factors and to tailor
more effective treatments that address
these factors.
*The Schizophrenia Research Chair is a joint initiative of the
Schizophrenia Research Institute, University of New South
Wales, Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and the
Macquarie Group Foundation. It is supported by the NSW
Ministry of Health.
Professor Cyndi Shannon Weickert is the Macquarie Group Foundation Chair of
Schizophrenia Research*. Her lab’s area of interest is to discover the causes of
schizophrenia and how they relate to specific genotypes. They are also investigating
how hormones and growth factors may influence the development and function of
the brain during the teen years, a period of increased risk for mental illness.
Prof. Cyndi Shannon Weickert
Evidence of inflammation leads to new
treatment options
Schizophrenia is
associated with alterations
in the brain’s response
to inflammation, and
how the body responds
to the presence of
biological stress.
“
“
32. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201432
Combined, these studies
have advanced our
understanding of some of
the influences at play in
schizophrenia, and may help
to guide future studies into
best treatment practices.
Biomarkers have been sought in the field of
schizophrenia research for decades. They could
greatly assist in diagnosing schizophrenia and help
scientists to understand the causes, progression
and treatment of the illness. Currently, no biomarker
exists for schizophrenia; however, Dr Tom Weickert
and his team have made progress in the past year
in using blood biomarkers to understand brain
function in schizophrenia.
Sex steroids such as testosterone have been found
to have a protective effect on the mature brain and
can be detected in the bloodstream. The research
team led by Dr Weickert has found that low normal
testosterone levels in men with schizophrenia had
a negative effect on their working memory, verbal
memory and thought processing speed, and in the
way their brains processed emotion. These effects
of testosterone provide further evidence that the
hormone influences thought processes in men
with schizophrenia.
A neurotransmitter that has been implicated
in schizophrenia is dopamine, which, when it is
underactive in certain brain regions, can produce
schizophrenia-like symptoms. A study led by Dr
Ans Vercammen has found that two genes that
regulate dopamine levels, when combined, can
result in cognitive deficits in healthy people that
are similar to those seen in schizophrenia. This
insight into brain function can help scientists to
better understand the effects that genes may
have in the development of schizophrenia.
A third study, conducted by PhD student Ashley
Skilleter, examined brain-derived neurotrophic
factor (BDNF). This protein is one of many that
allows neurons to develop, grow and function
effectively, and is particularly associated with
learning. BDNF has been implicated in the
development of schizophrenia with past studies
revealing that reduced levels are found in
people with schizophrenia. This study revealed a
relationship between BDNF levels circulating in the
blood and brain activity measured by functional MRI
during learning in healthy adults, but no relationship
between circulating BDNF and brain activity in
people with schizophrenia. These results suggest
that BDNF may be a biomarker for schizophrenia,
and that this important learning protein is not
functioning normally in people with schizophrenia.
Dr Thomas Weickert is part of the Schizophrenia Research Laboratory at NeuRA and a
Senior Research Fellow at the School of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales.
His research is particularly interested in the interaction of genes, schizophrenia and
antipsychotic treatment on cognitive processes.
“
“
Biomarkers for schizophrenia identified
Dr. Thomas Weickert
33. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 33
The continuation of this
work could have a significant
impact on future prevention
and treatment strategies,
as lifestyle factors of
schizophrenia patients
may have to be considered
in much more detail than
in the past.
“
“
Dr Tim Karl and his group at NeuRA have this
year examined the effects of lifestyle choices
such as diet and exercise on schizophrenia. In
collaboration with a University of Oslo team,
animal models of schizophrenia were used to
evaluate whether diet and exercise influence
behavioural outcomes and mental state. The pilot
studies found that a high-fat, high-sugar diet had
a complex influence on schizophrenia-relevant
behaviours. On the one side, the diet induced an
earlier development of particular schizophrenia-
like behaviours in genetically modified animals. On
the other side, the experiments detected a diet-
induced improvement of cognitive behaviours in
mice. Furthermore, physical exercise had beneficial
effects on these mice as access to running wheels
reversed their hyper-explorative behaviour.
This research demonstrates in principle that
lifestyle choices can have both detrimental and
beneficial effects on schizophrenia-relevant
behaviours. The continuation of this work could
have a significant impact on future prevention
and treatment strategies, as lifestyle factors of
schizophrenia patients may have to be considered
in much more detail than in the past.
In a second investigation, PhD student Juan
Olaya tested a newly developed mouse line
for the schizophrenia risk gene neuregulin 1
(Nrg1) in collaboration with NeuRA’s Professor
Cyndi Shannon-Weickert. Juan tested whether
overexpressing this gene in mice, which has been
found to be upregulated in schizophrenia patients,
modulates schizophrenia-relevant behaviours
and brain pathophysiology. His early work
suggests that overexpressing type III Nrg1 not only
modulates a range of neurotransmitter systems
in the brain but also induces schizophrenia-
like behaviours. This is an exciting first step to
establish a new and much-needed model system
for preclinical research into schizophrenia, and
to better understand the contribution of this
particular gene.
The Karl Group is interested in understanding the causes of schizophrenia. They look at
the patterns of behaviour associated with schizophrenia and use pharmacological and
environmental intervention tools to better understand how genes and the environment
impact in the development of schizophrenia.
Dr. Tim Karl
The positive effects of diet and exercise
on schizophrenia
34. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201434
It was found that this
drug did not induce weight
gain or fat deposits, but
still appeared to maintain
its efficacy as an atypical
antipsychotic.
Olanzapine is one of the most effective
antipsychotic medications commonly used for
treating schizophrenia; however, it often results
in severe weight gain. Professor Xu-Fung Huang’s
team has found a possible solution to this issue
by modifying the chemical site on the olanzapine
molecule that is believed to contribute to obesity.
This has led to the development of two new
olanzapine derivatives.
In pre-clinical trials it was shown that taking
olanzapine resulted in over-eating, weight gain,
fat accumulation and other physical changes that
are associated with weight gain. One of the new
olanzapine derivatives, created by the Wollongong
lab, was also tested. This drug does not block the
part of the brain that regulates food intake. It was
found that it did not induce weight gain or fat
deposits, but still appeared to maintain its efficacy
as an atypical antipsychotic.
One more phase is required in the pre-clinical
trials to further validate these new drugs prior to
clinical trials, but the team believes that the two
derivatives may offer better treatment options
than olanzapine for treating schizophrenia. A
toxicology study is under way and Prof. Huang’s
team are hoping to proceed to clinical trials in
the next three years.
In a separate clinical trial, Prof Huang’s team
examined the long term effect of antipsychotic
drugs on cognition in people with schizophrenia
and found that individuals taking clozapine
performed worse in immediate and delayed
memory than those taking typical antipsychotic
drugs. Prof. Huang believes that this indicates an
urgent need to improve these areas of cognition
and has found evidence to suggest that this may
be possible using extracts of teasaponine (from
camellia seeds) and ginsenoside (from ginseng)
alongside antipsychotics. He will pursue these
studies in 2015.
Professor Xu-Feng Huang is based at the University of Wollongong. His team has
conducted pre-clinical trials that indicate that a derivative of olanzapine offers the
benefits of an effective antipsychotic, without weight gain side effects.
“
“
Improved antipsychotic on the horizon
Prof. Xu-Feng Huang
35. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 35
Weight gain and obesity can
lead to non-compliance with
medication, which is a primary
problem for the treatment
of schizophrenia.
“
“
Excessive weight gain has been identified as a
serious metabolic side-effect of antipsychotic
medication. Associate Professor Chao Deng,
collaborating with Prof Xu-Feng Huang and four
PhD students, have made significant progress
in understanding how antipsychotics affect the
body as well as the brain to produce this often
rapid increase in weight. Specifically, Professors
Deng and Huang’s team has looked at why
antipsychotics cause the body to maintain excess
weight, even when food consumption is reduced
to normal level.
Antipsychotics appear to have an impact on
brown adipose tissue (BAT), which the body uses
to convert food into energy. Assoc. Prof. Deng’s
team discovered that long-term olanzapine use
reduced the amount of energy produced by this
tissue, resulting in weight gain, and also reduced
physical activity, which contributed to the
maintenance of excess weight.
Antipsychotics can also affect how much a person
consumes, causing them to eat beyond the point
of feeling full. In preliminary studies, they found
that a naturally occurring chemical in the body,
histamine, significantly reduced overeating.
Prof. Deng’s team then discovered that using
betahistine (a histamine H1 receptor agonist), a
drug normally used to treat vertigo, was effective
as an antipsychotic co-treatment in reducing
olanzapine-induced weight gain, and that using
betahistine did not affect the therapeutic benefits
of olanzapine. This suggests that betahistine
is a safe drug for treating the side effect of
antipsychotic-induced weight gain.
Betahistine co-treatment
did not affect olanzapine’s
actions on serotonin and
dopamine transmissions
Chao Deng is an Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong who is interested in
understanding how antipsychotics cause excessive weight gain and what treatments may
reduce this side effect.
Assoc. Prof. Chao Deng
Co-treatment reduces antipsychotic-induced
weight gain
36. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201436
miRNA guides several
genes involved in the
development and
maturation of the brain
before birth that, if
disrupted, may lead to
neurodevelopmental
disorders such as
schizophrenia.
“
“
Associate Professor Murray Cairns is interested
in how changes to microRNA (miRNA), which
are tiny molecules in the brain responsible for
regulating gene expression, are involved in neural
function and the development of schizophrenia.
This year he has guided the research work of two
PhD students, Belinda Goldie and Sharon Hollins,
as they explore how alterations in miRNA relate
to various deficits seen in schizophrenia.
Ms Goldie’s research has found that neural activity
alters the composition of miRNA in neurons,
resulting in a reduction and a redistribution of
these molecules. Previous studies suggest that
this reduction is associated with enhancements
in learning and memory. In contrast, the
laboratory’s earlier observation was that these
molecules are elevated in the brains of people
with schizophrenia, in which learning and memory
is usually impaired. She also found that most
of these miRNA that were reduced after neural
activity were expelled from the cell in tiny vesicles
known as exosomes. “This development was
unexpected,” says Assoc. Prof. Cairns. “We wanted
to know where they went. They could have been
destroyed, but they actually turned up outside
the cells, which opens up some new, exciting
research pathways for us.” The team is also
interested in identifying a treatment that will
reverse the alteration that leads to the elevation
of miRNA in schizophrenia, which could help
to improve cognitive function in schizophrenia.
Ms Hollins is interested in further understanding
how miRNA is involved in the development of
the brain. Her study suggests that miRNA guides
several genes involved in the development
and maturation of the brain before birth that,
if disrupted, may lead to neurodevelopmental
disorders such as schizophrenia. Further, in
a study undertaken in collaboration with Dr
Katerina Zavitsanou at NeuRA, she found that
miRNA expression in the brain is sensitive to
environmental challenges known to be associated
with schizophrenia – specifically, maternal infection
and teenage cannabis use. They found that these
environmental challenges are causing alterations in
gene regulation that, in turn, may contribute to the
development of schizophrenia in people at risk of
the disorder.
Associate Professor Murray Cairns, based at the University of Newcastle, is supported in
his research by the Ainsworth Family. He is particularly interested in the role of miRNA in
the development of schizophrenia.
Tiny molecules produce large changes in the brain
Assoc. Prof. Murray Cairns
37. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 37
The side effects of many second generation
antipsychotics such as olanzapine and clozapine
include weight gain and type-II diabetes. Dr
Katrina Green has spent the past eight years
searching for ways to overcome these side
effects. This year, a $10,000 grant from SunCorp
Brighter Futures Staff Giving Program has
allowed her to explore the use of liraglutide as
a co-treatment to counterbalance the main side
effects of antipsychotics.
Liraglutide is the synthesised form of a protein
found in the saliva of a lizard called the Gila
(pronounced hee-la) Monster, which helps to
reduce blood glucose levels, and has been
approved for use as an anti-diabetic drug in
the USA, Europe and now Australia.
The efficacy of liraglutide in stabilising glucose
levels and promoting weight loss caused Dr
Katrina Green to investigate whether the drug
could be used as a co-treatment with current
antipsychotic medication. Results of an initial
study have revealed that using liraglutide as a co-
treatment alleviated olanzapine-induced glucose
dysfunction in the laboratory setting, but not the
hyperglycaemia caused by clozapine.
“This tells us that liraglutide is effective at clearing
glucose from the blood,” explains Dr Green,
“which may prevent diabetes, a common side
effect associated with olanzapine in the long term.
We still need further studies to ensure that this is
a safe option for humans and will investigate other
potential metabolic benefits of liraglutide co-
treatment, such as weight loss and cardiovascular
protection; however, the results are looking very
promising so far.”
Diabetes can exacerbate cognitive deficits in
people with schizophrenia, so there is hope that
using liraglutide as an adjunct treatment can also
improve impairments in attention and memory.
“This is something we really want to focus our
future studies on,” says Dr Green. “We’re keen
to start looking into the potential long-term
cognitive effects that liraglutide may bring.”
Dr Katrina Green is a neuroendocrinology researcher and a Lecturer in the School of
Medicine at the University of Wollongong. Katrina’s team is part of the Wollongong lab
addressing the metabolic side effects of antipsychotics.
20-50% of people using a second
generation antipsychotic are at risk
of suffering type-II diabetes.
Laboratory research over the past
year has shown promising results using
liraglutide to prevent high blood glucose
caused by antipsychotics
80% of people with schizophrenia suffer
cognitive deficits
Researchers hope to progress investigations into
humans in the clinical setting
Drug co-treatment could prevent diabetes
Dr. Katrina Green
38. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201438
The brain receptor known
as mGluR5 represents a
valuable new drug target to
treat the cognitive deficits in
people with schizophrenia.
“
“
Institute-supported PhD student Natalie Matosin
has been working on finding molecules in the
brain that are altered in schizophrenia in order
to identify new drug targets with the potential
to improve the cognitive and negative symptoms
associated with the disorder. Along with her
supervisors, Dr Kelly Newell and Dr Francesca
Fernandez, she has been looking specifically at a
receptor in the brain, the metabotropic glutamate
receptor 5, or mGluR5.
Together with NeuRA scientists, Dr Samantha
Fung and Professor Cyndi Shannon Weickert,
Ms Matosin and her team assessed the levels
of mGluR5 in the postmortem brains of people
that had schizophrenia, and found that in the
frontal cortex and hippocampus there were
greater numbers of the receptor mGluR5. Since
these changes are in brain regions involved in
learning and memory, this led our researchers to
believe that these changes in mGluR5 might be
contributing to the poor cognitive functioning
seen in many people with schizophrenia.
In trying to understand why this receptor was
expressed abnormally in schizophrenia brains,
Ms Matosin, Dr Francesca Fernandez and the
team worked with the Australian Schizophrenia
Research Bank and Associate Professor Melissa
Green to better understand whether the
dysregulation of the mGluR5 receptor might
originate in the mGluR5 gene. They found
markers within the gene that are associated
with schizophrenia in men, and a complex
relationship with measures of cognitive functions
such as working memory and measures of IQ,
which differently affect men and women with
schizophrenia. This supports the idea that
mGluR5 is involved in the development of
cognitive dysfunction, particularly memory
and learning, in people with schizophrenia.
“mGluR5 represents a valuable new drug
target to treat the cognitive deficits in people
with schizophrenia,” says Ms Matosin. “It’s
likely that because every schizophrenia sufferer
is an individual with their own set of symptoms
and causes, that it will work only in a subset of
people with schizophrenia. Therefore future
studies will need to find a way to identify this
subset, so that they can benefit from mGluR5-
based treatments.”
PhD candidate Natalie Matosin works in Dr Kelly Newell’s lab at the University of
Wollongong. She has been looking specifically at how to improve some of the
cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia.
Improving learning and memory in schizophrenia
Natalie Matosin
39. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 39
Epidemiology and
population health
The Epidemiology and Population Health team is based at
the University of NSW and located at the Research Unit for
Schizophrenia Epidemiology in St Vincent’s Hospital. It is led by
Institute CEO, Professor Vaughan Carr. The team studies health
and disease in populations with a particular focus on identifying
childhood risk factors for schizophrenia and other mental disorders.
This research has the potential to influence government policies
and programs in prevention and mental health promotion.
40. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201440
The NSW Child Development Study, led by
Professor Vaughan Carr and his team at the UNSW
Research Unit for Schizophrenia Epidemiology,
has been making headway this year towards being
able to better understand how children’s early
experiences influence later mental health and
life outcomes. The first phase of this longitudinal
study, one of the largest in Australia, is in full-
swing, with completion of the first record linkage
and a feasibility study for a questionnaire to be
administered in 2015.
The first record linkage brings together a rich array
of data from the cohort, which is comprised of
some 87 000 children for whom the Australian Early
Development Census (AEDC) was completed in
Kindergarten in 2009. The record linkage combines
anonymous health, education, welfare and justice
records with the children’s AEDC data. Spanning
birth to age 5, it will allow the research team to
find out what shapes children’s early development.
Already, findings have emerged suggesting that
children who have been hospitalised for infectious
diseases are more likely to show psychological
vulnerabilities in development at age 5.
The questionnaire component of the study, the
Middle Childhood Survey (MCS), has been tested
in a feasibility study involving 11 schools prior to
the State-wide roll-out in 2015. The MCS will be
completed online in the classroom, and will
provide a unique snapshot of the mental health
and wellbeing of Australian children at around age
11, a critical stage of development. The research
team has worked closely with schools in the
feasibility study to gather feedback, and so far
this has been very encouraging. The team will
continue to work in consultation with the study’s
education, and parent and community stakeholder
representatives to help get all schools on board next
year, when all Year 6 students in NSW will be invited
to participate. The MCS will be run in tandem with
a Schools Mental Health Evaluation. Supported
by the Principals Australia Institute, it will provide
important information regarding the effectiveness
of programs targeting mental health that have been
implemented by schools.
In 2015, after the MCS has been completed, a
second record linkage will be undertaken. This
will update data from the first linkage to include
information for the cohort up to age 11, along with
information collected from the MCS. In the same
manner as the first linkage, strict privacy protocols
will be adhered to, in accordance with research
ethics committee requirements and privacy
legislation. This second linkage will give researchers
scope to examine developmental trajectories
through childhood. It will allow them to map risk and
protective factors operating during this period and
identify how they relate to mental health outcomes.
As the study continues
to follow the cohort into
adulthood, it will provide
valuable information to
help inform policies and
programs to benefit the
mental health and wellbeing
of all Australian children.
You can find out more about the
NSW Child Development Study at:
http://nsw-cds.com.au/
The NSW Child Development study has hit the midway mark, with the second phase
due to roll out in 2015.
Prof. Vaughan Carr
Safeguarding children’s mental health
“
“
41. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 41
A substantial three-year grant totaling more than
$600,000 was this year awarded to Associate
Professor Melissa Green by the National Health
and Medical Research Council. This grant will
allow Melissa to continue her work investigating
the effects of early childhood adversity in people
with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and
bipolar I disorder. This research program combines
the expertise of SRI-supported scientist Associate
Professor Murray Cairns, and Dr Sarah Cohen-
Woods, and will support the research activities
of PhD candidate, Ms Nina Teroganova.
In the past few years Assoc. Prof. Green, with
members of her research group at UNSW as
well as other SRI-affiliated collaborators, has
investigated the effects of childhood trauma
on cognition and brain function in people with
psychotic disorders. Previous funding awarded
to Assoc. Prof. Green – to investigate biological
similarities among schizophrenia and bipolar I
disorder – has enabled investigation of subtypes
of cases with a history of exposure to early abuse.
In her existing study, Assoc. Prof. Green has found
that a striking 55 percent of individuals with
schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and 43
percent of those diagnosed with bipolar I disorder
have experienced clinically significant levels of
childhood abuse or neglect. She reasoned that
these cases might show a different pathway to
illness than those without a history of trauma, and
that this might be evident in biological differences
(e.g., in brain function) between people with and
without a history of childhood maltreatment.
This hypothesis was tested by a member of her
team, Dr Yann Quidé, using data from brain scans
obtained while participants performed a working
memory task. The results showed that the brains of
the people exposed to childhood trauma activated
differently compared to those not exposed to
trauma, and these differences occurred in brain
networks otherwise presumed to be involved
in psychosis.
The proposed study into these genetic and
biological processes may provide new treatment
options that will be more effective for people
whose symptoms have developed as a
response to trauma.
Associate Professor Melissa Green is a NHMRC Biomedical Career Development Fellow
in the School of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Her research
focuses on the causes and consequences of cognitive and emotion processing disturbances
in schizophrenia and similar conditions.
Assoc. Prof. Melissa Green
Early life stress and the development of psychosis
In her study, Assoc. Prof.
Green found that a striking
55 percent of individuals
with schizophrenia, and 43
percent of those with bipolar
I disorder have experienced
clinically significant levels of
childhood abuse or neglect.
“
“
42. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201442
In many ways our supporters are the voice of a community not often given
the chance to be heard. They take on challenges – whether its marathons,
mountain climbing, the City2Surf or the Sydney City Scramble – and in doing
so raise money as well as awareness of schizophrenia. Their remarkable
achievements, in turn, start conversations. It is these dialogues that enable
the wider community to come to a more accurate understanding of
schizophrenia and defeat the stigma so often attached to this illness.
43. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 43
The Institute is so appreciative
of our community of donors
and fundraisers.
They are a constant inspiration.
It is thanks to their support,
enthusiasm and dedication that
the work of our researchers
continues to be so successful.
Photo: Sydney City Scramble Fundraising Event
44. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201444
Our supporters this year have been incredibly
creative at raising money for schizophrenia research
in ways that are fun yet also hold a great deal of
meaning. For Lucy Eykamp it involved a 730km trip
over nine days, during which time she either ran or
rode a bike along her older brother’s favourite track
from Brisbane to Tamworth, stopping at all the places
that gave him moments of peace and comfort.
“My brother Will suffered schizophrenia and, sadly,
took his own life due to it,” said Lucy. “He rode
this distance on horseback and I want to honour
his achievement by doing it as well.” The trek was
planned to finish on Will’s birthday so that close
to 150 people could gather together and celebrate
his life. More than $11,000 was raised as a result of
Lucy’s dedication and the generosity of the people
whose lives were touched by Will. “This is a bold
and admirable effort on Lucy’s part and an incredibly
touching way to honour her brother’s memory,”
said Institute Director of Operations, Kel Beckett.
Supporter Luke Mansfield raised $3000 for
schizophrenia research in July by climbing to Mt
Everest’s Base Camp in Nepal, a feat that required
in excess of 50 hours of trekking over eight days.
Luke said he hopes that “by talking about my own
experience I can contribute to breaking down
the stigma associated with schizophrenia and
encourage others to reach out and support those
who live with schizophrenia.” And here he is at the
summit. Thanks Luke for your outstanding effort,
and to all those who supported him on his journey.
Family Ambassador Eva Urban was successful in
securing $10,000 through a grant administered by
Eva’s workplace, Suncorp. This money supported
Dr Katrina Green’s research into a treatment that
will help to reduce the incidence of diabetes
associated with antipsychotic use and may also
help to improve cognition.
Other fundraising activities have included the
Institute’s annual Gala, Spark of Genius, which
this year raised close to $30,000. Held at the
Hilton Sydney’s grand ballroom, the evening
featured entertainment from big band Hipnosis
as well as comedy entertainer Matt Hollywood.
In September a further $30,000 was raised via
the second annual Sydney City Scramble, a day
of madcap fun that saw 25 teams race around
the streets of Sydney solving cryptic clues and
performing odd tasks to win enough points to
be crowned the Scramble champions. This year’s
Corporate winners were team Clowning Around
from Macquarie Bank who were also the highest
fundraisers. The Community winners were Rebels
with a Cause.
Small teams of dedicated exercisers did their part
by participating in the City2Surf in August, as well
as the Wellness Walk in November, together raising
just shy of $10,000 for the Institute.
This is a bold and
admirable effort on Lucy’s
part and an incredibly
touching way to honour
her brother’s memory.
Lucy Eykamp
Wigwam Flats, March 2014
“
“
Whether its ticking off a bucket list item, or engaging in the favoured activity of a loved
one, our community of fundraisers have gone above and beyond in their efforts this year.
Fundraising
It takes a village to raise awareness
45. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 45
Major partners
and supporters
Our major partners, the NSW Ministry of Health, National
Health and Medical Research Council, NSW Trade and
Investment and Macquarie Group Foundation have also
sustained in their support of our vision to understand and
better treat schizophrenia. We are also thankful for our
ongoing partnerships with the Hunt Family Foundation
and ANZ Trustees.
Photo: Spark of Genius Fundraising Gala
47. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 47
Thank you to all our supporters
Patron
Her Excellency Professor Marie
Bashir AC
Life Governors
Judy Gibson
Don McDonald AM
Foundations Trusts & Grants
BHP Billiton Limited
Charities Aid Foundation
Hunt Family Foundation
John Lamble Foundation
Macquarie Group Foundation
The Nick and Caroline Minogue
Foundation
UBS Foundation
STOP Ambassadors
Corey Oliver
Dee Madigan
Michael Wipfli
Rod Kerr
Ryan Fitzgerald
Trent Maxwell
Corporate
ARA Group
Brookfield Multiplex
Buckley Park College
Cerrone
CFMEU
Dencona
Ernst and Young
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Association
Action on Mental Health
KPMG
Macquarie
Medibank Health Solutions
Omega Service Solutions
Premier State
Rouchard Southan Memorial Trust
Schweizer Kobras
Yaffa Publishing
Spark of Genius Ambassadors
Dr Carolyn Hogg
David Egan
Dee Madigan
Jason Kazanis
Prof Kathy Belov
Dr Karl Kramer
Marcia Hines
Mikey Robbins
Scott Gibbons
Patient Ambassadors
Kathleen Smith
Richard Schweizer
Family Ambassadors
Dee Madigan
Eva Urban
Workplace Giving
Brookfield Multiplex
Deutsche Bank
Macquarie Group Foundation
Royal Bank of Scotland
UBS
Wollongong Council
Community Groups
NSW Nurses and Midwives
Association
Rotary Club of North Sydney
Pro Bono
AHA NSW
Blond Catering
Decorative Events
Elite Property Brokers
Goldman Travel
Hilton Sydney Hotel
IGA Darlinghurst
Kleenmaid
Robert Oatley Wines
Staging Connections
Usher Photography
Utteridge Design
Woodridge on the Derwent
Yaffa Media
Many thanks to Bruce Usher
for the beautiful photos in this
annual report.
Thank you for being part of the journey as our scientists search for a cure. Their discoveries deliver messages of hope to the countless
families and friends affected by schizophrenia, and it is all because of the support you have shown.
49. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 497
The abridged consolidated financial
position, accounts and financial
performance for the year ended
June 30, 2014 have been prepared
from audited financial statements
and passed by the Board of Directors,
who are responsible for the presentation
of those financial statements and
the information they contain.
For a better understanding of the scope
of the audit by KPMG, this report should
be read in conjunction with KPMG’s report
on the abridged financial statements.
This report can be obtained from:
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
405 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst 2010.
Fundraising includes direct mail appeals,
corporate partnerships, major gifts and
community fundraising. External grants income
includes government, peer-reviewed grants,
foundations and major campaign agreements.
Financial Performance for the year ended 30 June 2014
Income 2014 2013
Fundraising 880,886 966,259
External grant income 3,153,162 4,359,176
Investment income 56,145 55,851
Sundry income 112,014 142,543
Total 4,202,207 5,523,829
Less Expenses
Fundraising, Marketing & Communications 680,334 657,095
Administration 278,520 249,442
Investment 15,460 13,679
Research 3,761,299 3,794,089
Total 4,735,613 4,714,305
Net Surplus (loss) (553,406 809,524
Opening retained earnings 2,563,259 1,689,790
Transfer to retained earnings (553,406 809,524
Available for sale reserve 77,745 63,945
Closing retained earnings 2,107,598 2,563,259
Retained earnings 2,107,598 2,563,259
)
)
50. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201450
Employees and
funded positions
Ms Julie Barlow
Schizophrenia Research Institute
Ms Nicole Batten
Schizophrenia Research Institute
Ms Inara Bebris
Neuroscience Research Australia
Mr Kel Beckett
Schizophrenia Research Institute
Mr Danny Boerigter
Neuroscience Research Australia
(from 7 July 2013)
Mr Jason Bridge
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
University of Newcastle
Ms Roxanne Cadiz
Neuroscience Research Australia
(from 5 August 2013)
Dr Murray Cairns
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
University of Newcastle
Professor Vaughan Carr
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
University of New South Wales,
St Vincent’s Hospital
Dr Vibeke Catts
Neuroscience Research Australia
Ms Megan Diallo
Schizophrenia Research Institute
Ms Liesl Duffy
Schizophrenia Research Institute
(until 14 February 2014)
Dr Stu Fillman
Neuroscience Research Australia
(until 2 May 2014)
Dr Samantha Fung
Neuroscience Research Australia
Ms Inika Gillis
St Vincent’s Hospital,
University of New South Wales
(from 27 March 2014)
Dr Melissa Green
St Vincent’s Hospital,
University of New South Wales
Ms Renee Hampson
Schizophrenia Research Institute
Ms Janette Howell
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
University of Newcastle
Ms Chelsea Hunter
Schizophrenia Research Institute
Dr Dipesh Joshi
Neuroscience Research Australia
Dr Kristen Laurens
St Vincent’s Hospital
Mr Nicolas Legrand
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
University of Sydney
(from 19 May 2014)
Dr Leonora Long
Neuroscience Research Australia
Associate Professor Carmel Loughland
University of Newcastle
Ms Jac Kee Low
Neuroscience Research Australia,
Schizophrenia Research Institute
(until 15 August 2013)
Ms Sandra Matheson
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
St Vincent’s Hospital
Ms Gwynned O’Neill
Neuroscience Research Australia
(until 10 September 2013)
Ms Beatrix Palmer
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
University of Sydney
(until 23 May 2014)
Mr David Paul
University of Newcastle
Ms Michelle Poole
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
University of Newcastle
Dr Tertia Purves-Tyson
Neuroscience Research Australia
Mr Yann Quide
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
St Vincent’s Hospital
Mr Paul Rasser
University of Newcastle
Dr Alessandra Raudino
St Vincent’s Hospital
Ms Dominique Rich
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
University of Newcastle
51. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 51
Ms Debora Rothmond
Neuroscience Research Australia
Professor Ulrich Schall
University of Newcastle
Professor Cynthia Shannon Weickert
Neuroscience Research Australia
Ms Alana Shepherd
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
St Vincent’s Hospital
(until 4 April 2014)
Ms Julia Stevens
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
University of Sydney
Ms Nina Teroganova
St Vincent’s Hospital,
University of New South Wales
(from 24 March 2014)
Dr Renate Thienel
University of Newcastle
(from 3 January 2014)
Ms Shan-Yuan Tsai
Neuroscience Research Australia
Dr Thomas Weickert
Neuroscience Research Australia
Ms Ruth Wells
Neuroscience Research Australia
Dr Yinghua Yu
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
University of Wollongong
(from 1 November 2013)
Dr Katerina Zavitsanou
Neuroscience Research Australia
Mr Jerzy Zieba
Schizophrenia Research Institute,
Neuroscience Research Australia
(from 31 July 2013)
Supported
students
Ms Katherine Allen
University of New South Wales
Ms Jessica Andrews
University of Wollongong
Mr Joshua Atkins
University of Newcastle
(Honours until December 2013)
(PhD from March 2014)
Ms Ilijana Babic
University of New South Wales
(from February 2014)
Mr Chris Bell
University of Wollongong
Ms Sonja Bouwer
University of Western Australia
Mr Christian Bouwkamp
Erasmus University Medical Centre
Mr Jason Bridge
University of Newcastle
(from March 2014)
Mr Adam Carroll
University of Newcastle
(until September 2013)
Ms Hui-Minh Chan
Monash University
Ms Saruchi Chhabra
University of Western Australia
T-Yunn Chia
University of New South Wales
Dr Martin Cohen
University of Newcastle
Ms Julie Crabtree
University of New South Wales
Ms Amy Dawson
University of Wollongong
Ms Dominique Derminio
Neuroscience Research Australia
Ms Philippa Ditton-Phare
University of Newcastle
(from March 2014)
Ms Vanezha Djunaidi
University of New South Wales
(from February 2014)
52. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201452
Mr Ryan Duchatel
University of Newcastle
(from March 2014)
Mr Tim Ehlkes
University of Newcastle
(until December 2013)
Ms Rickie-Leigh Elliot
University of Newcastle
(until March 2014)
Mr Martin Engel
University of Wollongong
Ms Sacha Filia
Monash University
Ms Erin Forbes
University of Newcastle
(from March 2014)
Ms Erin Gardiner
University of Newcastle
(until October 2013)
Mr Michael Geaghan
University of Newcastle
(Honours until December 2013)
(PhD from March 2014)
Ms Brooke Gelder
University of Newcastle
(from March 2014)
Ms Leah Girshkin
University of New South Wales
Ms Belinda Goldie
University of Newcastle
Ms Kristi Griffiths
University of Sydney
Ms Mary-Claire Hanlon
University of Newcastle
(until October 2013)
Mr Ian Harding
University of Melbourne
Ms Juliane Heide
University of New South Wales
(until October 2013)
Ms Sarah Hiles
University of Newcastle
Ms Nicole Hofstein
University of New South Wales
(from February 2014)
Ms Sharon Hollins
University of Newcastle
Ms Kim Huyh
University of New South Wales
Ms Ellen Ji
University of New South Wales
Ms Alyssa Jones
University of New South Wales
(from February 2014)
Ms Christie Jones
University of Newcastle
(from March 2014)
Mr Ajay Joshi
University of Newcastle
(from February 2014)
Mr Tamar Karkour
Macquarie University
Lily Knechtel
University of Newcastle
Ms Jenny Kokinous
University of Leipzig, Germany
Ms Julia Kuller-Smith
University of Newcastle
(from March 2014)
Ms Lisa Lee
University of New South Wales
Mr William Lee
University of New South Wales
(until December 2013)
Mr Jeremy Lum
University of Wollongong
(from August 2013)
Ms Sandra Matheson
University of New South Wales
Ms Natalie Matosin
University of Wollongong
Mr Matthew McTeigue
University of Newcastle
Ms Margaret Nelson
University of Melbourne
Mr Juan Olaya
University of New South Wales
(Honours until December 2013)
(PhD from February 2014)
Ms Ashleigh Osborne
University of New South Wales
(from April 2014)
Ms Colleen Respondek
University of Wollongong
(until December 2013)
Ms Jesseca Rowland
University of New South Wales
Ms Maysa’a Safadi
University of Wollongong
53. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 53
Ms Danielle Santarelli
University of Newcastle
(until November 2013)
Ms Alana Shepherd
University of New South Wales
(until June 2014)
Ms Victoria Sissanes
University of Wollongong
(from February 2013)
Ms Ashley Skilleter
University of New South Wales
Ms Ketrina Sly
University of Newcastle
Ms Peta Snikeris
University of Wollongong
Ms Natasha Sully
University of Newcastle
(from March 2014)
Mr Vaidy Swaminathan
University of Melbourne
Ms Nina Teroganova
University of New South Wales
(Honours until December 2013)
(PhD from March 2014)
Ms Louise Thornton
University of Newcastle
Mr Yash Tiwari
University of New South Wales
Ms Shan-Yuan Tsai
University of New South Wales
Ms Kandice Varcin
University of New South Wales
Mr Matthew Wong
University of New South Wales
(from February 2014)
Mr Jamie Wroe
University of Newcastle
(from March 2014)
Ms Natalia Yee
University of New South Wales
Mr Yiru Zhang
University of New South Wales
Scientific
affiliates
Ms Jessica Andrews
University of Wollongong
Dr Jonathon Arnold
University of Sydney
Dr Rebbekah Atkinson
University of Newcastle
Ms Lisa Azizi
University of Sydney
Dr Jo Badcock
University of Western Australia
Professor Amanda Baker
University of Newcastle
Dr Emma Barkus
University of Wollongong
Dr Natalie Beveridge
University of Newcastle
Dr Nikola Bowden
University of Newcastle
Dr Michael Breakspear
University of New South Wales
Dr Bill Budd
University of Newcastle
Dr Linda Campbell
University of Newcastle
Ms Katrina Campbell
Top End Mental Health Services
Professor Stan Catts
University of Queensland
Associate Professor Loris Chahl
University of Newcastle
Ms Vivian Chiu
University of Western Australia
Dr Martin Cohen
University of Newcastle
Associate Professor Kimberlie Dean
University of New South Wales
Dr Irina Dedova
University of Western Sydney
Associate Professor Chao Deng
University of Wollongong
Dr Teresa Du Bois
University of Wollongong
54. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201454
Mr Ryan Duchatel
University of Newcastle
Ms Philippa Ditton-Phare
Hunter New England Health
Professor Jo DuFlou
NSW Department of Forensic Medicine
Dr Francesca Fernandez-Enright
University of Wollongong
Dr Allison Fox
University of Western Australia
Dr Ross Fulham
University of Newcastle
Dr Janice Fullerton
Neuroscience Research Australia
Ms Therese Garrick
University of Sydney
Mr Jan Golembiewski
University of Sydney
Dr Melissa Green
St Vincent’s Hospital, University of NSW
Dr Mei Han
University of Wollongong
Dr Lauren Harms
University of Newcastle
Associate Professor Anthony Harris
Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead
Hospital
Dr Julie Henry
University of New South Wales
Associate Professor Frans Henskens
University of Newcastle
Professor Herbert Herzog
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Dr Tina Hinton
University of Sydney
Dr Deborah Hodgson
University of Newcastle
Professor Xu-Feng Huang
University of Wollongong
Dr Ian Gould
St Vincent’s Hospital, University of New
South Wales
Professor Assen Jablensky
University of Western Australia
Ms Ellen Ji
Neuroscience Research Australia
Dr Linda Kader
Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre,
Sunshine Hospital
Dr Luba Kalaydjieva
University of Western Australia
Dr Frini Karayanidis
University of Newcastle
Dr Tim Karl
Neuroscience Research Australia
Professor Simon Killcross
University of New South Wales
Dr Matthias Klugmann
University of New South Wales
Professor Jillian Krill
University of Sydney
Dr John Kwok
Neuroscience Research Australia
Dr Robyn Langdon
Macquarie University
Dr Matthew Large
Prince of Wales Hospital
Dr Rhoshel Lenroot
Neuroscience Research Australia
Mr Terry Lewin
University of Newcastle
Dr Leonora Long
Neuroscience Research Australia,
University of New South Wales
Associate Professor Colleen Loo
University of New South Wales
Mr Jeremy Lum
University of Wollongong
Dr Pamela Marsh
Macquarie University
Ms Toni McCrossin
University of Sydney
Associate Professor Skye McDonald
University of New South Wales
Emeritus Professor Patricia Michie
University of Newcastle
Professor Vera Morgan
University of Western Australia
Dr David Mossman
University of Newcastle
55. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 2014 55
Professor Bryan Mowry
Queensland Centre for Mental Health
Research
Dr Jennifer Murphy
University of New South Wales
Dr Kelly Newell
University of Wollongong
Dr Penny Newson
University of Newcastle
Dr Olav Nielssen
St Vincent’s Hospital, University of New
South Wales
Dr Vidya Perera
University of Buffalo/Novartis
Dr Georgina Paulik
Bondi Junction Community Health
Centre
Ms Kristy Payne
Centre for Rural and Remote Mental
Health, Orange
Dr Alessandra Raudino
St Vincent’s Hospital, University of NSW
Ms Jesseca Rowland
St Vincent’s Hospital, University of NSW
Dr Grant Sara
NSW Ministry of Health & Sydney
University
Dr Maria Sarris
University of New South Wales
Professor Ulrich Schall
University of Newcastle
Professor Peter Schofield
Neuroscience Research Australia
Professor Rodney Scott
Hunter Area Pathology Service
Dr Marc Seal
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute,
Royal Children’s Hospital
Ms Donna Sheedy
University of Sydney
Prof David Shum
Griffith University
Dr Glen Smith
Macquarie Hospital, Henley Unit
Dr Nadia Solowij
University of Wollongong
Dr Tirupati Srinivasan
University of Newcastle
Dr Renate Thienel
Centre for Rural and Remote Health,
Bloomfield’s Hospital
Ms Nicola Thomson
St Vincent’s Hospital
Dr Juanita Todd
University of Newcastle
Associate Professor Paul Tooney
University of Newcastle
Associate Professor Jamie Vandenberg
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
Dr Bryce Vissel
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Ms Hongquin Wang
Australia Nuclear Science and
Technology Organisation
Dr Flavie Waters
University of Western Australia
Dr Thomas Weickert
Neuroscience Research Australia
Ms Ruth Wells
Neuroscience Research Australia
Dr Katrina Weston-Green
University of Wollongong
Professor Lea Williams
Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead
Hospital
Ms Natalia Yee
University of NSW
Dr Katerina Zavitsanou
Neuroscience Research Australia
56. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT 201456
Grants
Grants Administered by SRI
Carr V, Laurens K, Holbrook, Lenroot, Brinkman, Bore,
Green, Smith, Stevens, Allan. NSW Child Development
Study. Department of Family and Community Services
Partner Contribution, 2014 ($240,000).
Gould, I. Cognitive subtypes spanning schizophrenia
and bipolar disorder: genetic and neuroanatomical
factors. NARSAD Brain & Behaviour Research
Foundation Young Investigator Award, 2014.
($60,000).
Matheson S, Shepherd A, Carr V. Management of
suicidal behaviour and ideation in NSW health settings.
SAX Institute Rapid Review on behalf of NSW Ministry
of Health, 2013 ($30,000).
Matheson S, Carr V. Transitioning long-stay psychiatric
inpatients to the community. SAX Institute/NSW
Ministry of Health, 2014 ($30,000).
Raudino A. Early childhood indicators of mental illness
risk. A population cohort study. NARSAD Brain &
Behaviour Research Foundation Young Investigator
Award, 2014 ($59,965).
Grants Administered by Researcher’s Host Institution
Andrews J. Global Challenge Program - Living Well,
Longer. UOW Global Challenges Travel Scholarship,
2013 ($2,000).
Andrews J. Society of Biological Psychiatry’s
International Travel Fellowship, 2014
($US2,000/$AU2294).
Cairns M, Walker F. Characterisation and modelling
of schizophrenia-associated dysregulation of miR-
137 expression, NHMRC Project Grant, 2014-2016
($557,565).
Green MJ. Carving psychosis at its biological joints.
NHMRC R.D. Wright Biomedical Career Development
Fellowship (Level 2), 2014-2017 ($447,000).
Haliday G, Shannon Weickert C, Rawlinson W,
Dzamko N. Luminex-MAGPIX machine for reading
multiplex assays. UNSW Major Research Equipment &
Infrastructure Scheme 2013 ($48,634).
Huang XF, J Crook, R Kapsa, G Wallace. Application
of intelligent conducting polymers for treating
schizophrenia and allied disorders focusing on neuronal
outgrowth, myelination and synaptogenesis. NHMRC
Project Grant, 2014-2017 ($675,550).
Ittner L, Housley G, Morris M, Hardeman E, Palmer
S, Gibson K, Carrive P, Moorhouse A, Klugmann M,
Moalem-Taylor G, Karl T, Fath T, Craig A, Britton F, van
Eersel J, Ke YD. Telemetry and behavioural equipment
for comprehensive phenotyping of rodent disease
models. MREII UNSW Equipment Grant, 2013 ($312,115).
Karl T. Rat models of schizophrenia. UNSW Co-
Sponsorship for Visitors, 2013 ($2,400).
Karl T. The therapeutic potential of the
endocannabinoid system for Alzheimer’s disease.
Mason Foundation Medical & Scientific Research Grant
forAlzheimer’s Disease, 2013($58,000).
Laurens K, Carr V, Green M, Brinkman S, Dix K, Lenroot
Dean K. Identifying new targets for primary school
mental health interventions using population data.
NHMRC Project Grant, 2014-2016 ($772,647).
Le Pelley M, Morris R, Green M, Whitford T, Killcross A.
Prediction error processing in schizophrenia. NHMRC
Project Grant, 2014-2017 ($243,447).
Loughland C, Kelly B. Communication Skills for
Psychiatry (ComPsych) : Developing a simulated
patient pool. HETI ($3000).
Loughland CM, Kelly B. Communication Skills
for Psychiatry (ComPsych) program: Translating
communication research into clinical practice. HMRI
EOI, 2014 ($3,000).
Matosin N. The role of candidate brain proteins mGluR5
and Homer1 in schizophrenia and major depression.
Disease Models and Mechanisms Travelling Fellowship,
2013 ($3720).
Newell K. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5
regulation in the development of pathophysiology of
schizophrenia and major depression. UoW Small Grant,
2013 ($15,000).
Shannon Weickert C, Pantelis C. Cortical
neuroprotection in schizophrenia. UNSW Gold Star
Award, 2013 ($40,000).