A5050265790- Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Diet and metabolism studies
- Sex and Gender in Healthcare
- Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
- Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
- Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Mental Health and Psychiatry
- Mental Health Research Topics
- Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Neonatal and fetal brain pathology
- Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
- Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare
- Child Abuse and Trauma
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
- Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Hemispheric Asymmetry in Neuroscience
- Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health
- BRCA gene mutations in cancer
Stellenbosch University
2015-2025
Western Cape Department of Health
2019-2020
Left–right asymmetry is an important organizing feature of the healthy brain that may be altered in schizophrenia, but most studies have used relatively small samples and heterogeneous approaches, resulting equivocal findings. We carried out largest case–control study structural asymmetries with MRI data from 5,080 affected individuals 6,015 controls across 46 datasets, using a single image analysis protocol. Asymmetry indexes were calculated for global regional cortical thickness, surface...
Abstract Studies assessing the treatment outcomes in first-episode schizophrenia have reported mixed results. While symptom improvement is frequently robust, when other domains are considered generally poorer. We explored response trajectories, rates and predictors of recovery core psychopathology, clinician-rated social occupational functioning patient-rated quality life over 24 months 98 patients with spectrum disorders who were treated a long-acting antipsychotic medication. There was...
The association between childhood trauma exposure and risk of developing psychopathology may in part be mediated by the effects chronic stress on dopaminergic neurotransmission. However, little is known about differential distinct types reward processing, particularly adults without concurrent medical or psychiatric disorders. We examined exposure, including abuse neglect, with processing healthy (n = 114). Functional magnetic resonance imaging during a monetary incentive delay task was used...
Abstract Aim Relapse rates are very high in schizophrenia. However, little is known about the predictors of time to relapse other than treatment non‐adherence. We investigated possible risk factors for patients with first‐episode schizophrenia ( n = 107) who received assured by way long‐acting injectable antipsychotic over 24 months and underwent regular clinical, cognitive, metabolic assessments. Methods Using Cox regression analyses we assessed selected premorbid baseline potential...
Abstract Childhood trauma (CT) may influence brain white matter microstructure; however, few studies have examined the differential impact of distinct CT types on microstructure in psychiatrically healthy adults living a developing country. In without significant medical or psychiatric disorders, we investigated association(s) between CT, including abuse and neglect, fractional anisotropy (FA) limbic tracts previously shown to be associated with CT. Participants underwent diffusion tensor...
Progressive brain structural MRI changes are described in schizophrenia and have been ascribed to both illness progression antipsychotic treatment. We investigated treatment effects, terms of total cumulative dose, efficacy tolerability, on over the first 24 months schizophrenia.A prospective, 24-month, single-site cohort study 99 minimally treated patients with first-episode schizophrenia, schizophreniform schizoaffective disorder, 98 matched healthy controls. according a fixed protocol...
Abstract Background and Hypothesis Two machine learning derived neuroanatomical signatures were recently described. Signature 1 is associated with widespread grey matter volume reductions signature 2 larger basal ganglia internal capsule volumes. We hypothesized that they represent the neurodevelopmental treatment-responsive components of schizophrenia respectively. Study Design assessed expression strength trajectories these evaluated their relationships indicators compromise antipsychotic...
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with overlapping brain structural differences. These often involve structures involved in the regulation of appetite, food intake, satiety, reward processing. We examined individual interactive effects PTSD diagnosis MetS on cortical thickness subcortical gray matter volumes patients (n = 104) compared to trauma-exposed controls 97).Multivariate models were constructed for FreeSurfer-generated prefrontal...
We examined the associations between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and neurocognitive function in patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders (FES) compared to controls assessed using Repeatable Battery for Assessment of Neuropsychological Status. In patients, psychopathology was Positive Negative Syndrome Scale Calgary Depression Schizophrenia. First, we found illness- domain-specific individual MetS features performance but not controls. Second, body mass index total...