Department of Psychiatry
Research - Research Units
Schizophrenia Research Unit
Overview
This unit conducts research into schizophrenia, particularly early outcomes of psychosis. Projects focus on clinical, pharmacological, cognitive, neuroimaging and pharmacogenetic aspects of the illness.
A selection of current studies includes:
- 2-4 year follow-up studies in over 135 patients to assess the clinical, biological and functional aspects of outcomes in first-episode psychosis
- Comparing the acute effects of an atypical vs a conventional antipsychotics on brain structure and function in first-episode psychosis
- Comparison of long acting risperidone with flupenthixol decanoate in terms of psychopathology, cognitive function, structural MRI and functional MRI
- Assessing the efficacy of Omega-3 fatty acids plus antioxidant for relapse prevention after antipsychotic discontinuation in successfully treated first-episode schizophrenia.
To explore specific research opportunities in this unit, please contact Prof Robin Emsley, rae@sun.ac.za
Project staff
Prof Robin Emsley (MBChB, DCH, FCPsych, MMed (Psych), DMed, DSc)
Head of Unit
Tel: +27 21 938 9116
Fax: +27 21 938 9738
rae@sun.ac.za
| Dr Riaan Olivier (MA Clin Psych, PhD (Psych)
Researcher
Tel: +27 21 938 6289
olivier.r@vodamail.co.za
| Ms Freda Scheffler (MA Psychology)
PhD Candidate
Interest: cannabis use in Schizophrenia
Tel: +27 21 938 9940
fredas@sun.ac.za
|
Sr AM Smit (Dip Gen Nursing and Midwifery)
Study Coordinator
Tel: +27 21 910 3605
amsmit@sun.ac.za
| Prof Laila Asmal (MBChB, FCPsych, MMedPsych, MSc Clinical Epidemiology, PhD)
Senior lecturer/Psychiatrist/Researcher
Interest area: neruo-imagining, clinical outcomes, psychopharmacology.
Tel: +27 21 938 9116
laila@sun.ac.za
| Dr Stefan Du Plessis (MBChB, PhD)
Clinician/Researcher
Interest area: Clinical Neuro-imaging
Tel: +27 21 938 9228
stefandup@sun.ac.za
|
Dr Lebogang Phahladira (MBChB, DMH, FCPsych)
Lecturer/Psychiatrist/Researcher
Interest area: longitudinal treatment outcomes in early onset schizophrenia and family support.
Tel: +27 21 370 1153
lebogang@sun.ac.za
| Dr Sanja Kilian (BA Hons, MA, PhD Psyc)
Postdoctoral Researcher
Interest area: negative symptoms, social cognition and childhood trauma.
Tel: +27 21 910 3605
sanjak@sun.ac.za
| Dr N McGregor (Bsc Hons, MSc, PhD Psych)
Lecturer/Researcher
Interest area: Neuropsychiatric Genetics, Pharmacogenomics and Mental Health
nwm@sun.ac.za
|
Prof Louise Warnich (BSc Hons, MSc, PhD Genetics)
Dean of Sciences
Interest area: Neuropsychiatric Genetics, Pharmacogenomics and Mental Health
lw@sun.ac.za
| Dr K O'Connell (BSc, BSc Hons, PhD)
Postdoctoral Researcher
Area of interest: Neuropsychiatric Genetics, Pharmacogenomics and Mental Health
kevinoc87@gmail.com
| Ms. E Ovenden (BSc, BSc Hons, MSc)
PhD student
Project: Functional characterisation of core folate metabolism genes implicated in antipsychotic treatment response in a South African first episode schizophrenia cohort
elleno@sun.ac.za
|
