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Pictured: Dr. Catharine Rankin. Image source: Department of Psychology/UBC.
Researchers around the world have recently had tremendous success in identifying genes that increase risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with more than 100 genes associated with ASD to date, many of which are already being used to aid diagnosis. However, despite considerable progress, researchers still don’t know what roles many of these genes play in nervous system development and function.
Pictured: UBC students on Main Mall. Image credit: Martin Dee/UBC.
A three-year, multi-centre, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with the goal of improving mental health and substance use outcomes through integration of e-mental health with traditional health services is beginning at the University of British Columbia under the leadership of Dr. Daniel Vigo, newly appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry.
Pictured: The team of staff, student, and faculty volunteers who worked to successfully launch the BC Brain Wellness Program at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH) on October 5. The Program has begun running wellness classes at DMCBH - you have likely heard the music classes taking place in the lower level atrium on Wednesdays (10:30 a.m.); feel free to join in! More on the Program at www.bcbrainwellness.ca. Image credit: Seth Book.
Pictured, left to right (back row): Dr. Stefan Wendt, Dr. LP Bernier, Dr. Brian MacVicar, Alireza Kamyabi, Dr. Nick Weilinger; (front row) Heather Gerrie, Dr. Liisa Galea, Daphne Ling, Dr. Tim O'Connor, Tanvi Puri, and Dr. Chris Groten. Image source: Daphne Ling, October 29, 2019.
Image credit: Paul Joseph/UBC.
An analysis of more than 9,000 brain scans shows that abnormalities in brain function in mood and anxiety disorders are localized to the same areas of the brain, offering promise for future prevention and treatment.
There is growing evidence across a range of neurological disorders that the gut microbiome has a relationship with inflammation and changes in the brain. The bugs in your gut are beneficial for health including brain health, through—for example—production of beneficial metabolites and regulation of the immune system. Studies have shown differences in the microbial composition in people with diseases and healthy controls, but what are those differences, and how much do we know about what those bacteria are doing for people with multiple sclerosis (MS)?
Pictured: graduate student Matthew Sacheli with a research participant. Image credit: Don Erhardt/UBC Faculty of Medicine.
Image source: Dr. Silke Cresswell.
Every so often, piano music fills the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. From students who sit down to spend a musical moment away from the lab, to people who reside in long-term care at UBC Hospital finding a few minutes for a song, the piano has been a bright spot for our community. It is nice on its own, but it serves a larger purpose; a little music here and there has a lot to do with improving the wellbeing of our clinic visitors, staff, students, and researchers.
Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose (pictured) was recognized by the Faculty of Medicine with a Distinguised Acheivement Award acknowledging meritorious performance. Dr. Liu-Ambrose recieved the award for Overall Excellence (Senior Faculty).
“Globally, there are limited consistent resources and infrastructure to support mental health needs in the event of an emergency,” said Dr. Jill Murphy, Strategic Initiatives Director, APEC Digital Hub for Mental Health, and a postdoctoral fellow in UBC's Department of Psychiatry. “Historically, the approach post-disaster is to provide an acute response to mental health needs. With a changing global climate, it is going to be increasingly urgent to look at the long-term mental health implications of natural disasters and other climate-related emergencies.”
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