A5004869785- Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
- Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Treatment of Major Depression
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Ethics in medical practice
- Ethics in Clinical Research
- Mental Health Research Topics
- Community Health and Development
- Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
- Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare
- Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
- Diet and metabolism studies
- Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health
- Neuroscience and Music Perception
- Global Health and Surgery
- Health and Well-being Studies
- Emotional Intelligence and Performance
- Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Family Caregiving in Mental Illness
Pakistan Institute of Learning and Living
2015-2024
University of Manchester
2022-2024
Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
2024
University College London
2024
St George's, University of London
2024
University of Karachi
2021-2022
Bridge University
2022
Liverpool John Moores University
2022
St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
2022
University of Liverpool
2022
Background: Evidence suggests that anti-inflammatory medication may be effective in the treatment of depressive symptoms. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether minocycline added as usual (TAU) for 3 months patients with treatment-resistant depression will lead an improvement Methods: Multi-site, 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot trial TAU suffering from DSM-5 major disorder, whose current episode has failed respond at least two antidepressants. The primary outcome...
NMDA autoantibody encephalitis presenting as schizophrenia suggests the possible role of adaptive cell-mediated immunity in idiopathic schizophrenia. However, to our knowledge there have been no trials immune-suppressant methotrexate We tested if low-dose used treatment systemic autoimmune disorders would be tolerable and effective people with a feasibility study. Ninety-two participants within 5 years diagnosis were recruited from inpatient outpatient facilities Karachi, Pakistan. They...
Depression is one of the leading causes disability worldwide. A high proportion patients do not respond to standard drug treatments. Recent evidence has suggested that anti-inflammatory treatment may have beneficial effects in major depression. Minocycline a tetracycline antibiotic with good CNS penetration exerts on multiple interacting symptoms implicated pathophysiology mood disorders. Open-label studies minocycline effective as an adjunct improving depressive symptoms. This multi-centre,...
Importance Immune-metabolic disturbances have been implicated in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder and may be more prominent individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Preliminary trials suggest that lipid-lowering agents, including statins, useful adjunctive treatments for disorder. However, no adequately powered clinical assessed antidepressant efficacy these agents TRD. Objective To assess tolerability simvastatin compared placebo reduction symptoms Design,...
Background: Randomized controlled clinical trials that have investigated minocycline as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder proved promising. Data from two studies were pooled to evaluate more definitively whether the addition of standard leads improvement symptoms when compared with placebo. Methods: Both multi-site, double-blinded, placebo-controlled 200 mg/day added usual during a 12-week period. The primary outcome measure was change in (Montgomery–Asberg Depression...
Abstract Efforts to build research capacity and capability in low middle income countries (LMIC) has progressed over the last three decades, yet it confronts many challenges including issues with communicating or even negotiating across different cultures. Implementing global requires a broader understanding of community engagement participatory approaches. There is considerable amount guidance available on clinical trials, especially for studies HIV/AIDS, culturally specific codes...
Inflammatory mechanisms are thought to contribute the onset of psychosis in persons with an at-risk mental state (ARMS). We investigated whether anti-inflammatory properties minocycline and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3), alone or synergistically, would prevent transition ARMS a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Pakistan. 10,173 help-seeking individuals aged 16–35 years were screened using Prodromal Questionaire-16. Individuals scoring 6 over interviewed...
A third of patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) experience treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Relatively few pharmacological agents have established efficacy for TRD. Therefore, the evaluation novel treatments TRD is a pressing priority. Statins are pleiotropic and preclinical studies as well preliminary clinical trials suggested that these drugs may antidepressant properties.AimsTo report on protocol 12-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial add-on...
Background: Globally, paternal depression is a neglected and under-researched area. Aims: To feasibility test Learning Through Play Plus Dads (LTP+ Dads), group parenting psychoeducation program adapted for depressed Pakistani fathers of children under 3 years age. Methods: Fathers with were recruited in Karachi, Pakistan, pre-post study. Ten sessions LTP+ offered over three months. Clinical assessments administered at baseline, (end intervention), six (follow-up) months included the...
The at-risk mental state (ARMS) describes individuals at high risk of developing schizophrenia or psychosis. use antipsychotics in this population is not supported, because most with ARMS are unlikely to develop Anti-inflammatory treatments and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may have some beneficial effects the treatment ARMS. There been no controlled clinical trials which researchers investigated minocycline for involving PUFAs combination other proposed treatments. a need find...
Objectives To establish feasibility and acceptability of a Culturally adapted Family Intervention (CulFI) that was developed using an empirically derived conceptual framework in Pakistan.Methods A rater-blind, randomised trial to evaluate the delivering CulFI compared treatment as usual Karachi, Pakistan. Indicators included evaluation recruitment rates, retention randomisation. We also evaluated intervention procedures.Results Excellent rates informed intervention. had more than 90%...
Abstract Objective There has been increased interest in repurposing anti-inflammatories for the treatment of bipolar depression. Evidence from high-income countries suggests that these agents may work best specific depressive symptoms a subset patients with biochemical evidence inflammation but data lower-middle income (LMICs) is scarce. This secondary analysis explored relationship between pretreatment inflammatory markers and symptoms, clinical measures, demographic variables participants...
Abstract Background and Hypothesis Oxidative stress pathways may play a role in schizophrenia through direct neuropathic actions, microglial activation, inflammation, by interfering with NMDA neurotransmission. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been shown to improve negative symptoms of schizophrenia, however, results from trials other compounds targeting neurotransmission have mixed. This reflect poor target engagement but also that risk mechanisms act parallel. Sodium Benzoate (NaB) could an...
The global burden of mental health difficulties among children underscores the importance early prevention. This study aims to assess efficacy, feasibility and acceptability Strong Families programme in enhancing child behaviour family functioning low-resource settings Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. is a two-arm, multisite randomised controlled trial with an embedded process evaluation three districts namely Gilgit, Hunza Skardu. 90 families living these challenged settings, comprising female...
Abstract Background The use of psychoactive substances significantly impacts the health, social and economic aspects families, communities nations. There is a need to develop test psychological interventions aimed for individuals with substance disorder (SUD) in lower- middle-income countries (LMICs), such as Pakistan. aim this exploratory trial feasibility acceptability two culturally adapted factorial randomised controlled (RCT). Methods proposed project will be conducted three phases....
Objectives Depression has long been considered a significant feature of schizophrenia and is associated with more frequent psychotic episodes, increased service utilisation, substance misuse, poor quality life completed suicide. However, there distinct lack literature on this comorbidity from low- middle-income countries or non-western cultural backgrounds.Methods This cross-sectional analysis baseline data large randomised controlled trial, examining the prevalence depression suicidal...
Aim: To understand the psychological impact of COVID – 19 on Medical Students a private sector University in Karachi, Pakistan. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students studying at Hamdard College Medicine and Dentistry, The data collection done through online survey from July 2020 to December 2020. aimed gather many students. A total number 420 were participated Dentistry participants selected all years MBBS BDS programs . Results: Out participants, 236...
The current study examined relationship and differences between work stress, mental wellbeing functional impairment in medical house officers.Methods: This cross sectional included a total of N=100 officers (n=50) employed at various hospitals.Outcome measures included: Work Stress Scale, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale self-reported demographic questionnaire.Results: Findings showed positive stress terms self concept social functioning.Also there...
Psychosis treatment guidelines recommend cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and family intervention (FI), for all patients with first episode psychosis (FEP), though guidance borrows heavily from literature in adults high income countries. To our knowledge, there are few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the comparative effect of these commonly endorsed psychosocial interventions individuals early high-income countries no such low middle-income (LMICs). The present study aims to...
Abstract Background informed consent is considered to be the standard method for respecting autonomy of individual participants in research and thought based on several conditions: 1) providing information purpose or a specific treatment, what it will entail, 2) being mentally competent understand weigh balance, 3) free from coercion. While there are studies other countries, especially Low Middle Income Countries (LMICs), this study explored role cultural norms process obtaining by...
Aims Psychosis is one of the leading causes disability. First Episode (FEP) significantly impacts long-term course disorder. While a majority FEP service users show signs ‘recovery' within 12 months treatment, early involves frequent relapses, with up to 80% relapsing five years. This elevates risk persistent psychotic symptoms, affecting cognitive, social, and occupational functioning. Medication, core reduces relapse by 75%, necessitating additional psychosocial treatments. Mobile-based...