 webmaster@psych.uic.edu
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Department of
Psychiatry
Research
Basic and clinical research in the Department of Psychiatry illuminates and advances the collective effort to understand, cope with, treat and ultimately cure severe mental illnesses. Following are overviews of the work in our institutes and centers.
Psychiatric Institute
The Psychiatric Institute is the hub of our large-scale, collaborative neuroscience research programs, which, under the direction of
Ermino Costa, MD, and
Alessandro Guidotti, MD, have expanded the knowledge base and significantly furthered the understanding of underlying molecular and structural causes of major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s Disease, depression, and drug and alcohol additions. Our research has moved the field of psychiatry closer to earlier and more accurate diagnoses, better treatments, and the prospect of future cures for these and other mental illnesses.
Neuropsychiatric Institute
The Neuropsychiatric Institute (NPI) is the organizational homebase for Psychiatry, and remains the nucleus of the Residency Training Program and Clinical Services. Associate Head and longtime Residency Training Director
Henry Dove, MD, has recently taken on an added role as Medical Director of the Institute, uniting the educational and clinical missions of the Department. As part of the clinical realm, NPI also has University of Illinois Medical Center inpatient services provided by faculty members
Ovidio DeLeon, MD;
Dennis Beedle, MD;
Thomas Jobe, MD; and Patricia Zaror, MD.
Institute for Juvenile Research
Since 1909, the Institute for Juvenile Research (IJR) has provided
rich grounds for research in prevention and intervention. IJR, which was
transferred from the State to UIC in 1990, was the first child guidance
clinic and the second organized psychology training program in the U.S.
It was also one of the first sites for training child psychiatrists.
Today, led by Carl C Bell, IJR’s research programs address pressing issues such as youth and gang violence, HIV risk, access to effective school services, epidemiology of drug use, and services for families in the child welfare system. The Institute remains focused on integrating and innovating research, training, and service to advance children's mental health.
The IJR has recently moved to new space at 1747 W. Roosevelt Road. The new space houses all of the Institute’s research and training programs, 4 state-of-the-art observation suites, 11 conferences rooms, 2 large classroom/presentation rooms, and all four of the child and adolescent outpatient specialty clinics.
Center for Cognitive Medicine
This fast-growing area brings research advancements directly to patients in our clinical service divisions. Using the world’s most powerful 9.4 tesla functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) system, researchers and clinicians alike can watch minute functions of the brain at a cellular level. This enables researchers to develop a much keener understanding of processes involved in thought, memory, mental illnesses, and brain injury and recovery. Likewise, clinicians can literally see microscopic brain malfunctions, and can use that information to help patients compensate for and/or recover from brain injuries and some mental illnesses. visit http://ccm.psych.uic.edu
Brain-Body Center
This interdisciplinary initiative in developmental psychobiology explores brain-body interactions through the life span. Led by directors
Stephen Porges, PhD, and
Sue Carter, PhD, scientists from the realms of endocrinology, neuroanatomy, neurobiology, psychiatry and psychology work collaboratively studying neurobiological models of social behavior and translating this knowledge into treatment strategies for disorders such as autism and anxiety. Visit http://www.psych.uic.edu/bbc/
Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy
The Center for Mental Health Services Research and Policy, directed by
Dr. Judith Cook, conducts basic and evaluation research, and delivers training and technical assistance regarding mental health treatment, service systems, and public policy. Projects include promotion of employment, housing, and education for people with mental illnesses; family-to-family support and education; services for individuals with co-occurring HIV/AIDS and mental disorders; programs for transition-age youth with emotional disturbances; diversity issues in treatment; organization and financing of mental health systems; self-help and peer-provided services; and multi-systemic issues in meeting the needs of people with mental disorders. The Center provides many research and educational materials; visit http://www.psych.uic.edu/mhsrp/.
Health Statistics
Directed by Robert Gibbons, PhD, the Center for Health Statistics is a collaborative initiative with the School of Public Health that develops statistically rigorous bases to test hypotheses and assessments in complex mental health research data. For example, fMRI investigations often compare control and experimental conditions for roughly 100,000 brain locations. A vast number of significant differences can occur by chance alone. The Center devises statistical solutions to such problems so fMRI study results are meaningful.
International Center on Responses Catastrophes (ICORC)
Although refugees from war-torn regions urgently need myriad services, they can also provide important insights into the searing and far-reaching mental health problems of refugees throughout the world, and these insights can be used to improve mental health services for refugees. The International Center on Human Response to Social Catastrophes, directed by
Stevan Weine, MD, seeks to provide effective mental health services for refugees, and also to conduct research toward improving such services throughout the world. visit http://www.psych.uic.edu/ICORC/home/index.shtml
A list of research Programs offered:
Child
Prevention/Intervention
The
Project on Genocide, Psychiatry and Witnessing - Current
Intervention and Cultural Studies
Mental Health
Services Research
Center
on Mental Health Services Research and Policy
National
Research and Training Center on Psychiatric Disability
Neuroscience/Pharmacology
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