When we learn more about mental health, we move closer to improving diagnosis, treatment, and providing personalized care. That’s the idea behind one of the most timely and relevant research studies happening right now at the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR) at The Royal.
People with treatment-resistant depression may have brain structure or function that looks different than others, but researchers still don’t know why this is. It’s an important area of research: Every year, 4,000 people die by suicide in Canada. It’s the second-leading cause of death among youth and young adults in Canada.
Dr. Jennifer Phillips, a scientist at IMHR, and her team are using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at The Royal’s Brain Imaging Centre (BIC), to examine the brain’s structure and brain activity in order to identify brain networks that may be associated with suicidal thoughts and attempts. Imaging data from the study participants is then combined with clinical factors and behavioural traits associated with suicide – factors such as impulsivity, hopelessness, perceived stress and childhood trauma.
In addition to examining neuroimaging and clinical risk factors, the team is combining the imaging data on suicide with markers of inflammation in the participants’ blood, which is found to be elevated in people who have died by suicide. The study is among the first of its kind to combine these factors.
This work represents a stepping stone towards improving our ability to identify patients with major depressive disorder who are at highest risk of suicide, which can open the doors for improved treatment and prevention.
Learn more about this study and other research initiatives during The Royal’s Research Week, November 29-December 3, 2021.
About Research Week
During this week, we have an exciting schedule of activities planned to highlight the many ways that Research at The Royal’s team of world-class scientists, researchers and students are enhancing prevention, intervention and innovation in the mental health and substance use health.
For further details visit theroyal.ca or contact:
Michaela Berniquez, Communications Coordinator
michaela.berniquez@theroyal.ca | +1 (613) 218-5225