Psychosis Research Group
Overview
People with mental illness, in particular psychotic disorders, have complex needs that often limit their full potential for productive social, educational, and occupational lives. The first episode of psychosis and the preceding period of clinical and functional decline offer unique opportunities for understanding the mechanisms of psychosis and providing early treatment intervention aimed at optimising clinical and functional outcomes. The key theme of our research is to identify psychosis-specific risk and resilience factors in particular environments, promote evidence-based pharmacological and psychosocial intervention research, including clinical trials, and contribute significantly to the teaching and training of professionals and researchers from developing countries.
Our history
The program was started in the mid-90s with a focus on pharmacological research in schizophrenia. In 2008, we embarked on a prospective study exploring the clinical, biological, and functional aspects of treatment outcome in first-episode schizophrenia. We focused on the pharmacology, efficacy, and tolerability of long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications in the treatment of first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders. We examined the course and outcomes of patients following a first episode of psychosis using clinical and imaging data. We also examined the association of environmental factors and childhood trauma with disease onset and progression. Our program provides opportunities for PhD and Master level training for scientists, clinicians, and psychologists with a particular focus on women, black psychiatrists, and people with disabilities.
Our mission
To be a premier research unit that develops cutting-edge scientific tools to improve our understanding of psychotic disorders through engagement with diverse collaborators, stakeholders, and the community which we serve.
Our vision
To be a center of research excellence that responds to important knowledge gaps in the field of psychosis research and needs relevant to our setting through innovative scholarship and strategic collaborations.
Our values
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Diversity
- Innovation
- Excellence
Our people
Prof Laila Asmal - Unit Director
MBChB, FCPsych, MMed (Psych), MSc Clinical Epidemiology, PhD
Senior lecturer/Psychiatrist/Researcher
Interest area: Psychiatric epidemiology and neuropsychiatry.
Prof Robin Emsley
MBChB, FCPsych(SA), MMed(Psych), DMed, DSc
Emeritus professor, Consultant
Interest area: The clinical, neurobiological and pharmacological aspects of schizophrenia.
Retha Smit
PhD Candidate
Clinical trials
Part of the unit since 1996
Interest area: Investigates predictors of relapse other than treatment non-adherence in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
Dr Hilmar Klaus Lückhof
MBChB, BScHons Pathology, MSc Pathology, PhD
Researcher
Interest area: Metabolic syndrome and clinical outcomes, and sex- and gender-based research
Amogelang Ramatsetse
BHSc, BHSc (Hons), MSc (Neuroscience) candidate
Research Coordination
Interest area: Extreme weather events and mental health outcomes.
Banele Banda
BA, BA(Hons)
MSc (Neuroscience) candidate
Interest area: Social stress in a virtual environment and its relationship with childhood trauma in early schizophrenia.
Faizel Moosa
Driver
Employed since 2009
Transports participants from outpatient facilities and hospital wards, and between the Tygerberg campus. He also assists with various tasks around the unit.
Prof Lebogang Phahladira
MBChB, DMH, FCPsych, PhD
Lecturer/Psychiatrist/Researcher
Interest area: Clinical course and outcome.
Dr Sanja Kilian
MA Clinical Psychology, PhD Psychology
Interest area: Cognitive and clinical outcomes in psychosis and the lived experiences of people living with psychosis and families' experiences of supporting a loved one living with a mental illness.
Dr Unity Chitapi
PhD, Occupational Therapist
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Interest area: Occupational Therapy, Occupational Science, Mental Health, Health Systems, Applied Medical Rehabilitation, and Disability.
Focus on human occupations and the intersection of poverty, politics, inequality, and disability/rehabilitation issues.
Mohhadiah Rafique
BSc, BA (Hons), MA Research Psychology
PhD (Psychiatry) Candidate
AVReQ Doctoral Fellow
Interest area: Exploring the meaning making of schizophrenia and its recurrence in marginalised communities through an ecological perspective.
Our current research focus
Our current projects are focused on different aspects of schizophrenia and related psychoses, informed by our exploration of the illness, its clinical course, and ultimate outcome. The group also has a keen interest in the interaction between structural brain measures and environmental factors that shape the clinical course and evolution of first-episode schizophrenia. In addition, we are interested in the use of virtual reality technologies to provide greater insight into these inter-relationships, particularly considering neuroimaging for stress-sensitive brain regions in relation to neurodevelopment. We have explored sex and gender in relation to clinical and treatment outcomes and neurodevelopmental risk factors relevant to the onset and progression of first-episode schizophrenia.
Our work
The following link is an overview of our lab and highlights our academic publications to date.
https://www.researchgate.net/lab/Psychosis-Research-Program-Stellenbosch-University-PRP-Laila-Asmal
International collaborations
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London
- Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta Analysis (ENIGMA) consortium
- Lagos State University, Nigeria
- African Global Mental Health Institute (AGMHI)
- Global Mental Health Peer Network
- Harvard University, USA