NIHRDataInsights/HRCSData huggingface dataset:
Title: MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre
Funder: Medical Research Council

Abstract: Founded in 1994, the MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre?s overarching theme is to bring together social (environmental) and genetic strategies to study the development of mental health and illness. Its focus is on common psychiatric disorders that emerge in childhood such as mood disorders (anxiety and depression), ?externalising? disorders (disruptive behaviour including hyperactivity and addictions), and cognitive disorders (learning disabilities and the autistic spectrum). The MRC SGDP Centre now includes 28 researchers with permanent appointments whose offices, students and research teams are in the MRC SGDP building. During 2005-09, the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP) has invested heavily in the Centre, with continuing commitments that will cost #10m during 2010-15. In addition, the IoP has committed an additional #2m in new money during 2010-15 if the Centre is renewed. The Centre?s mission includes research, translation and training. Its progress in research at the developmental intersection between genes and environment has been outstanding as assessed in terms of collaboration, impact of publications and grants. A key feature of the Centre?s progress during the current grant period has been the appointment of seven new researchers who will increase the Centre?s strength at multiple levels of analysis between genes and behaviour. In order to add to the synergy created by its SGDP themes and existing resources in molecular and statistical genetics, the Centre?s major new research request for 2010-15 is to develop three new resource areas ? bioinformatics, epigenetics and electrophysiology ? with diminishing support over the five years as these resource areas become self-supporting by contributing to new research grants. Translating research findings into knowledge useful for improving health is a strength of the Centre because the Centre is embedded within IoP with its unrivalled strengths in psychiatric research and with its strong links with South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust which is the premier mental health trust in the UK. In terms of training, the Centre?s 1+3 MSc/PhD programme has doubled in size during the current grant period to nine students per year all of whom are fully supported with studentships. For 2010-15, support is requested for four studentships which is half of the Centre?s total budget request. The Centre makes its expertise available more widely through its self-supporting annual one-week Summer School for 70-100 researchers. The present proposal requests support to extend our educational research throughout the world by the development of e-learning programmes.


Research activity codes: 2.3 PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS;2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Over 30 months to study real-time fMRI Neurofeedback in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Funder: Action Medical Research

Abstract: Background Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects three to nine per cent of school-aged children in the UK. Children with ADHD have symptoms of inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity and can have serious difficulties, with schoolwork and relationships. Around one third of children grow out of their disorder during adolescence, while others find their problems persist into adult life. Currently, treatment is with medication. However, this medication does not work very well when used for the long-term and there are also side-effects. It is also not known how long-term use of this medication may affect brain development. The project These researchers aim to develop longer lasting treatments for ADHD that are drug and side-effect free. Brain imaging has shown that children with ADHD have problems with activating specific brain regions that are responsible for self-control. In this study the researchers want to develop a treatment called neurofeedback using real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging in 25 children with ADHD. The children will be asked to play an interactive computer game where they can control a cartoon helicopter by increasing the activation of specific regions of their brain (at first through trial and error). MRI brain scans will be used to detect when the children are activating the chosen brain areas and this information will then be fed back to the game. As brain region activity increases, the helicopter will rise and the brain will 'learn' how to increase activity and move the helicopter. It is hoped by using this training to increase regional brain activity the children's ADHD symptoms will be improved.


Research activity codes: 5.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Over 3 years to study a new marker for autism spectrum disorder in young children based on the nonlinear analysis of complexity and synchronization in EEG waves
Funder: Action Medical Research

Abstract: Background_x000D_ Children with autism spectrum conditions (ASC or autism spectrum disorders, ASD) have problems with social interaction, communication, learning, and thinking in a flexible or imaginative way. Many children with ASC are also very sensitive to light and sound and respond to pain in an unexpected way meaning that their distress may not be immediately recognised. The cause of ASC is not clearly understood and diagnosis is made by looking at the typical pattern of problems the child experiences in everyday life. There is currently no universally accepted test for ASC therefore assessments rely on recognising and understanding characteristic developmental problems and behavioural traits. Diagnosis takes time and there are sometimes differences of opinion between professionals. In the UK, around one child in 100 is thought to have ASC. _x000D_The research project_x000D_ The researchers will develop ways to investigate the interactions between electrical signals in the brains of children with ASC measured by a technique called EEG (electroencephalography) to see how they differ from children without ASC. If this study shows a clear difference in the interactions between electrical signals in the brain, then this finding will need to be tested in a larger group. If successful, this could provide a test to aid diagnosis of ASC, which would be very useful, especially in young children where diagnosis can be difficult and uncertain. It may be possible to diagnose ASC much sooner, for example in a baby, and to start treatment at that very early stage.


Research activity codes: 2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS;4.2 EVALUATION OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Did the Communities First regeneration programme improve mental health and enhance social cohesion? A natural experiment
Funder: Division for Social Care and Health Research (Wales)

Abstract: Background There is little evidence on the effects of area-wide regeneration projects on health. This in part is because randomised controlled trials, the ‘gold standard’ of evaluative research, are often not possible. Recently, the Wanless Report and others have described the opportunities offered by 'natural experiments' to evaluate regeneration activities. Aim of the project To investigate whether the Welsh Assembly Government Communities First regeneration programme improved mental health, enhanced social cohesion and reduced mental health inequalities. Research method We will carry out a natural experiment to evaluate the Communities First programme in Caerphilly county borough, linking information from Caerphilly council on defined areas which did and did not receive regeneration interventions to Caerphilly Health and Social Needs Longitudinal Study (CHSNS) data collected before and after Communities First in 2001 and 2008. We will link the data in the Secure Anonymous Information Linkage databank to the Welsh Demographic Service, small-area deprivation scores and carry out an economic evaluation. Expected impact on the health of people in Wales High quality evidence on the impact of area-wide regeneration on mental health is essential for policy and strategy development to improve mental health and reduce the large inequality in mental health status in Wales.


Research activity codes: 1.2 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC PROCESSES
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Suicide Information Database- Wales (SID- Cymru)
Funder: Division for Social Care and Health Research (Wales)

Abstract: The information available on people who complete suicide in Wales is limited. This acts as a barrier to our understanding of their underlying problems and the effectiveness of efforts at preventing this tragic event. We know there are high levels of mental health disorders, substance misuse, previous self harm and contact with services. However much of this knowledge is based on small studies. More is required, to understand the health and wider social circumstances (short and long term) of those who complete suicide, in order to inform local and national policies. This study will look at possible risk factors for completed suicide from the whole Welsh population, whether known or unknown to mental health services. We will explore factors such as visits to the general practitioner, medication given, self harm, general hospital admissions, medical history and employment. It will highlight areas for intervention to prevent suicide in the general population of Wales. We will use the Swansea University Health Informatics Research Unit’s (HIRU)’s, Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) database which links anonymised health and social services data on the population of Wales. We aim to establish the Suicide Information Database- Wales (SID-Cymru) to provide a central repository for information on all probable suicide deaths in Wales in order to support policy and prevention.


Research activity codes: 2.3 PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Massively Parallel DNA Sequencing for Detection of Balanced and Unbalanced Genomic Structural Variations in Genetic Diagnosis of Patients with Learning Disabilities.
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: The aim of this project is to establish whether massively parallel DNA sequencing of paired-end tags can be used in a diagnostic setting to detect mutations in patients with learning difficulties. The technique will be developed and validated using normal control DNA and DNA with known abnormalities that have been previously identified using current cytogenetic techniques. Samples from patients with no known abnormalities will then be analysed. All variants identified will be further studied in detail. It is expected that this technique as a stand-alone strategy will be capable of detecting all abnormalities currently detected by either array-CGH or karyotyping, but with higher sensitivity. This would result in a higher abnormality detection rate and improved genetic diagnostic services for patients with learning difficulties. Issues relating to its implementation as an NHS service, such as clinical interpretation difficulties, analysis standards and ethics will also be examined.


Research activity codes: 4.1 DISCOVERY AND PRECLINICAL TESTING OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES;4.2 EVALUATION OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Using pharmacogenetics to improve treatment in young-onset diabetes.
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Monogenic diabetes is an unusual form of diabetes. It usually presents in patients under the age of 30, so is often misdiagnosed as Type 1 diabetes which is more common. Patients with monogenic diabetes can often be treated with tablets rather than insulin injections, leading to better control of their diabetes, and fewer side-effects and complications. Less than 5% of people with monogenic diabetes in the UK have been identified, meaning up to 50,000 patients may still be misdiagnosed and receiving inappropriate treatment. This project aims to develop a pathway of testing in patients diagnosed under the age of 30 years, to identify those who should receive genetic testing. This will consist of three stages: 1) a urine test that can determine if a patient is making their own insulin; 2) for those who are making their own insulin, a further blood test will be carried out testing for antibodies which are seen in Type 1 diabetes; 3) in those who are negative for the antibodies, a genetic test will be carried out to determine whether they have monogenic diabetes. Individuals who are found to have monogenic diabetes may have their treatment changed.


Research activity codes: 4.1 DISCOVERY AND PRECLINICAL TESTING OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Excessive drinking and alcohol related harms in Adulthood: ALSPAC at 24
Funder: Alcohol Change UK

Abstract: We will measure key alcohol related harms on 5000 ALSPAC participants aged 24/25 and test the association between patterns of alcohol use and risk/level of harm in young adults. These include:- liver fibrosis measured using biomarkers and fibroscan/ultrasound; three broad domains of neurocognitive function - executive function, emotion processing, and impulsivity - assessed using three specific tasks (n-back working memory task, the emotion recognition task, and the stop-signal task); depression and depressive symptoms measured by clinical interview (Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised CIS-R and Moods & Feeling Questionnaire MFQ); antisocial behaviour and offending measured by Edinburgh Youth Transitions Study Questionnaire and record linkage with Police National Computer; and Injury measured by record linkage and self-report questionnaire. Excessive and harmful alcohol use also will be measured at age 24/25 as an outcome - and three key pathways to these outcomes assessed based on the rich phenotypic data available within ALSPAC (externalising, internalising and low response to alcohol). Latent class and latent growth modelling will be used to develop a range of alcohol phenotypes required for the different hypotheses raised. Statistical analysis will be based on Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) to specify clearly the hypothesised causal pathways and effect of confounders. Missing data will be modelled, and where possible Mendelian Randomisation using genetic markers of alcohol consumption will provide a further test of the hypotheses.


Research activity codes: 2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS;2.3 PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS;2.4 SURVEILLANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: PhD: Nalmefene prescribing in the UK: patterns and influences
Funder: Alcohol Change UK

Abstract: This study aims to use a mixed methods approach to: Analyse Nalmefene prescribing patterns in primare care in the UK; and explore the influence of regulatory and marketing activity on such prescribing.


Research activity codes: 7.3 MANAGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: PhD: The therapeutic effect of Brief Adaptive Coping Training (BACT) on relapse to alcohol provoked by negative emotional experience
Funder: Alcohol Change UK

Abstract: The purpose of the PhD is to develop a Brief Adaptive Coping Training (BACT) procedure which can restructure clients’ belief that alcohol helps cope with negative emotions.


Research activity codes: 5.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Pilot of an integrated groupwork programme to address interpersonal violence, post-traumatic stress and alcohol use amongst women accessing substance misuse services
Funder: Alcohol Change UK

Abstract: This study will pilot an evidenced-based model from the USA (Seeking Safety), to assess whether it is feasible and acceptable to deliver among staff and service users within a UK context.


Research activity codes: 5.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Client perceptions of hindering experiences in CBT within IAPT service an inner city deprived area
Funder: British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

Abstract: Small research grant investigating client perceptions of hindering experiences in CBT within IAPT service an inner city deprived area.


Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL;8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Men and Therapy; A mixed-method study into men's experiences of therapy, focusing on Black Men in London
Funder: British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

Abstract: Research in the UK (De Maynard, 2007; Dupont-Joshua, 2003; Keating & Robertson, 2004; Miller’s, 2003; Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, 2002) has begun to acknowledge men’s challenges to engage in therapy. This highlights the need for significant qualitative understanding in this area for appropriate therapeutic interventions to be established and targeted. This study focuses on black men’s means of ‘coping’, with a special interest in their documented reluctance to seek assistance for emotional or physical problems. Statistics and research reveal the economic, social status, and health (De Maynard, 2007; Dupont-Joshua, 2003; Keating & Robertson, 2004; Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, 2002) deficits of black men in the UK and the black male population is underrepresented in therapy. The process of black men considering therapy is also absent in the literature. A suggestion for research is proposed which gives a podium to black men to voice their perspective. A future study will provide understanding of black males: occupying an active position in the growth of therapeutic theory and practice.


Research activity codes: 5.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL;8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Understanding the impact of a diagnosis in mental health in a young person and their family
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: This study concerns the impact of a diagnosis of mental illness on young people and their families. One in ten adolescents suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder and there is increasing awareness that early diagnosis and intervention are important. Illness can affect personal and social functioning, and being labelled as mentally ill may be stigmatising. This can be educationally and socially critical for both diagnosed adolescents and their siblings. Therefore it is important to understand how young people and their families react to a diagnosis of mental illness, in order to develop care and support for the whole family.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Health & Wellbeing of the Scottish Farming Population
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: We will conduct a systematic review of the published international literature on the effectiveness of interventions to address mental health and chronic occupational diseases in the farming population. Previous systematic literature reviews have been conducted on injury and accident prevention in the farming population, but the literature on mental health and chronic occupational diseases has not been synthesised to date in order to provide clear recommendations for intervention development. Our overall research aim, beyond this study, is to develop and test an intervention to enhance the health, safety and wellbeing of the Scottish farming population.


Research activity codes: 5.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) post perinatal loss: investigating final details for pilot trial and feasibility study
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Approximately 3500 women in the UK experience the trauma of perinatal loss each year. Up to 39% go on to develop perinatal PTSD. There is no effective treatment for these women, but EMDR is effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in other populations. Definitive evaluation of the effect, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of EMDR is required for this population, for which prior piloting and feasibility work is necessary. The number of women with perinatal PTSD, and their attitudes towards entering a randomised trial and receiving EMDR, is unknown. We are seeking funds to conduct a small 2-phase study to obtain this information.


Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Behavioural Couples Therapy as as Adjunct to Opioid Substitution Therapy for Drug Dependent Parents: A Feasibility Study
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Behavioural Couples Therapy (BCT) is a psychosocial intervention for the treatment of alcohol and drug problems; recommended by NICE for discordant couples where one person has an addiction and the other does not. Evidence suggests that BCT could improve outcomes for high-risk families where both parents use drugs, are in opioid substitution therapy, and have preschool children aged 0-5 years. Conducting such a trial in the UK however, raises several feasibility questions. Our study, which involves adapting and implementing BCT with 18 such families, will assess feasibility and determine its suitability for a pilot RCT. Our innovative project, which includes the US developer of BCT, will be the first study to examine the implementation of BCT with dual drug-dependent couples; the first to focus on outcomes for preschool children; the first to examine BCT delivered within the NHS; and only the second worldwide to involve opioid substitution therapy patients.


Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: The development and initial validation of a screening scale for antenatal anxiety
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Anxiety and depression are common problems during pregnancy. A substantial minority (around one in seven) of women develop significant clinical anxiety that can have a negative effect on long-term health and wellbeing of mothers and babies. Many questionnaires are available to screen for postnatal depression, but no reliable screening tools have been developed to distinguish between significant clinical anxiety and the normal anxieties and worries women may experience during pregnancy. This means that only about 15% of women with antenatal anxiety will receive the psychological support they need. We will develop a questionnaire to screen for significant antenatal anxiety using literature review and involving experts i.e. nurses, psychiatrists and women who have experienced poor mental health related to birth. A short and reliable questionnaire would be highly valuable, assisting midwives and other health professionals, to recognise when women would benefit from further support and appropriately targeting mental health interventions.


Research activity codes: 4.2 EVALUATION OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: The role of CHildhood Adversities and their subsequent impact on mental ill-health and Suicidal behaviour (CHASe)
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: The leading cause of death for young people (aged 10-34) in the UK is suicide, with more than 3,500 taking their own life in 2015. Effective help would involve face to face contact with healthcare staff; however, this is expensive and with limited staff resources, we need to make sure we focus on those who need it most. One group to focus on are those who have experienced childhood trauma. It is now known that many go on to develop major mental health problems, and some attempt suicide. However, it remains unknown who within this group is most at risk. We propose to use existing population health data in order to find this out, then work with health professionals and experts in the field to begin to develop practical ways to identify people earlier, with more effective preventive care pathways, and with earlier treatment in life to those who need it most.


Research activity codes: 2.3 PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH