Thu 08 May 12:30: Towards Precision in the Diagnostic Profiling of Patients: Leveraging Symptom Dynamics in the Assessment and Treatment of Mental Disorders
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous mental disorder. International guidelines present overall symptom severity as the key dimension for clinical characterisation. However, additional layers of heterogeneity may reside within severity levels related to how symptoms interact with one-another in a patient, called symptom dynamics. We investigate these individual differences by estimating the proportion of patients that display differences in their symptom dynamics while sharing the same diagnosis and overall symptom severity. We show that examining symptom dynamics provides information about the person-specific psychopathological expression of patients beyond severity levels by revealing how symptoms aggravate each other over time. These results suggest that symptom dynamics may serve as a promising new dimension for clinical characterisation. Areas of opportunity are outlined for the field of precision psychiatry in uncovering disorder evolution patterns (e.g., spontaneous recovery; critical worsening) and the identification of granular treatment effects by moving toward investigations that leverage symptom dynamics as their foundation. Future work aimed at investigating the cascading dynamics underlying depression onset and maintenance using the large-scale (N > 5.5 million) CIPA Study are outlined.
- Speaker: Omid Ebrahimi, University of Oxford
- Thursday 08 May 2025, 12:30-13:30
- Venue: Online via zoom.
- Series: Department of Psychiatry & CPFT Thursday Lunchtime Seminar Series; organiser: Oliver Knight.
Thu 12 Jun 12:30: Brain Boost: Healthy Habits for a Happier Life
Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. In times of stress, enhanced cognition and reserves of resilience are vital in maintaining our wellbeing. This talk will draw on evidence-based ways to improve our brain health, cognition, and overall wellbeing based on Brain Boost: Healthy Habits for a Happier Life. We will explore the benefits of exercise, diet, sleep, social interactions, kindness, mindfulness and learning and how adopting these healthy habits will lead to a longer, happier life and a flourishing society.
- Speaker: Professor Barbara Sahakian & Dr Christelle Langley
- Thursday 12 June 2025, 12:30-13:30
- Venue: Online via zoom.
- Series: Department of Psychiatry & CPFT Thursday Lunchtime Seminar Series; organiser: Oliver Knight.
Thu 01 May 12:30: History repeating: A critical perspective on psychedelic science
Despite considerable optimism regarding the mind-transforming potential of psychedelic substances, recently challengs have been raised regarding the validity of core findings in the field. In this talk I will provide a critical perspective on psychedelic science, questioning the efficacy and safety of psychedelic therapy and its presumed underlying mechanisms. I will argue that these problems are not new and that important lessons can be learned from history. I will conclude by highlighting examples and suggestions for the improvement of the quality of the science in this field.
- Speaker: Michiel van Elk, Leiden University
- Thursday 01 May 2025, 12:30-13:30
- Venue: Online via zoom.
- Series: Department of Psychiatry & CPFT Thursday Lunchtime Seminar Series; organiser: Oliver Knight.