Research Clinics/Programs

The cocaine research group uses neuroimaging, genetics, pharmacological challenges, and electroencephalography to study the etiology of substance use disorders and the neurobiological effects of stimulant use. Residents in the clinic treat patients in the clinic over the year, screen patients interested in participating in clinical studies, and participate in diverse research studies.

The Translational Neuroimaging Research clinic focuses on using state-of-the-art noninvasive functional and structural neuroimaging to pursue cognitive neuroscience and neural system level questions in complex psychiatric disease such as early-course and chronic schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar illness and substance use disorders. The research program also uses pharmacological challenge such as ketamine in healthy individuals in combination with neuroimaging. The main objective of the research clinic is to understand neural system level deficits across schizophrenia disorders and develop better neural markers to guide treatment development. Trainees develop skills in functional neuroimaging acquisition and analyses as well as clinical and neuropsychological assessment for research studies.

The BLAM lab studies the symptoms of mental illness in terms of formal learning theory. We use functional neuroimaging, psychotomimetic drugs, clinical cognitive neuroscience and computational modelling to examine the cognitive and neural mechanisms of delusions and hallucinations as well as substance abuse. Armed with a deeper understanding of these distressing symptoms we aim to devise, implement and optimize treatments that target the underlying neuropathology.

The STEP Program is a trial of a specialized intervention service for patients early in the course of psychotic illness, to provide a variety of coordinated treatments (including cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive remediation, case management, psychopharmacologic treatment) and learn about early psychosis, through neuroimaging, cognitive assessments, and genetics. Trainees treat young adult patients who are beginning to build the foundation of their adult lives with the new challenge of mental illness.

The Schizophrenia Research Clinic conducts clinical trials of medications for symptoms of schizophrenia. The clinic studies the pathophysiology of schizophrenia through laboratory studies of psychotomimetics such as cannabinoids and ketamine in healthy individuals, Positron Emission Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, genetics and electroencephalography. Residents treat patients with psychotic illnesses, often with co-morbid substance abuse, and assess patients for research studies.

The PRIME Clinic aims to prevent psychotic disorders through early identification of those at risk for developing psychosis. Research aims to characterize the neurobiology of individuals with the psychosis prodrome using diagnostic evaluations, genetics, neuroimaging, and electrophysiology, and conducting trials of medications and psychotherapy to prevent psychosis through early intervention. Residents in the PRIME clinic work with prodromal adolescents and young adults through individual, couples or family therapy, and, at times, medications, to manage current symptoms and prevent conversion to psychosis.

The aims of this clinic are to treat women's mental health and understand the relationship between psychiatric symptoms and reproductive stages. Trainees treat women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, substance abuse during pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders and participate in research to improve the lives of women and their children.

Investigators in the OCD Research Clinic study the genetic and neurobiological basis of OCD and novel treatments for this disorder. Trainees who rotate in the clinic learn to treat OCD with cognitive behavioral therapy and established psychiatric medications, as well as provide patients with retractable illness the opportunity to participate in clinical trials with medications acting on the glutamatergic system.

Research in the Depression Program focuses on the biochemistry of glutamate and GABA in unipolar depression. Clinical trials of new glutamatergic agents, as well as ketamine, are underway to treat patients with refractory depression. This program offers residents the chance to work with patients with severe illness longitudinally, and learn about the psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic tools to treat depression.