The transformative work that we do at The Royal can’t happen without the passion and dedication of our researchers, clinicians, clients and families, and healthcare professionals. Here are a few of the major prizes and awards won by our team this past year (research grants not included):
- Dr. Georg Northoff was named as a fellow of The Royal Society of Canada’s 2021 Class of Fellows, the highest distinction that can be given to a scholar, artist, or scientist in Canada. Click here for details.
- Dr. Kim Matheson was renewed for a second term as Culture and Gender Mental Health Research Chair. Her work explores the social determinants of mental health, with specific focus on health inequities in underserved communities.
- Dr. Tanya Halsall (Supervisor: Dr. Kim Matheson) received a CIHR Fellowship: Patient-Oriented Research Awards, Transition to Leadership Stream for her developmental evaluation that applies a youth-driven approach to examine the implementation of the Icelandic Model for Primary Prevention of Substance Use (IMP) within a Canadian community.
- Dr. Sara de la Salle (Supervisor: Dr. Natalia Jaworska) received a prestigious CIHR postdoctoral fellowship to pursue her work related to the effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Neural Indices of Persistent Verbal Hallucinations in Schizophrenia. CIHR fellowships recognize outstanding postdoctoral fellows and support them to engage in health research.
Our development programs empower interdisciplinary, client-centered mental health research
In 2021, The Royal announced the winners of its Translation of Research into Care (TRIC) Grant, made possible by a $200,000 investment by Canada Life. The TRIC Grant program supports interdisciplinary research projects that have the potential to improve care at The Royal. The six teams receiving funding through the TRIC Grant competition will improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness. The winning research projects also support the meaningful engagement of clients and families—a key factor driving mental health solutions.
“When clients are engaged in care and research we see consistently better outcomes,” Dr. Florence Dzierszinski, president of the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research at The Royal and vice president of research at The Royal, said. “The TRIC Grant enables deeper integration of clinicians, scientists, clients and their families in a manner that truly facilitates bench-to-bedside research. Through our strategy, Co-creating access, hope and new possibilities, we are redefining how lived expertise can inform and shape care, education and research that advances our understanding of mental health and substance use disorders. Programs that support the translation of research into care result in more intentional collaboration and more powerful exploration that has a resounding impact.”
The 2021-22 TRIC Grant recipients
Each team received a $30,000 one-year grant.
Cognitive remediation in forensic mental health care
Research team: Patrizia Pezzoli, Caitlin Carter, Steve Michel, Melissa Bolton, Michael Seto, Synthia Guimond, Sanjiv Gulati, Joan Garrow, Brian Merkley, Sarah Telford, Steven Mair, Rebecca Stewart
This study is exploring how computerized cognitive remediation can improve executive functions in former forensic inpatients being reintegrated into the community. Specifically, this study is examining the effect of cognitive remediation on variables that are critical for forensic rehabilitation, namely aggression, treatment noncompliance, and daily functioning. Cognitive remediation is an evidence-based training method that could be integrated into forensic health care practice. In the long term, the expected cognitive, behavioural, and functional improvements associated with cognitive remediation have the potential to result in improved well-being and reduced recidivism rates.
Stellate ganglion block in the treatment of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: Outcome evaluation, integration in care, and mechanism of action
Research team: Jakov Shlik, Rebecca Gomez, Anne Bailliu, Clifford Cassidy, Shelley Hale, Charles Cory Taylor, Daniel James
This innovative study will facilitate access to stellate ganglion block (SGB) treatment for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by establishing a clinical pathway for SGB as an adjunct intervention to the available treatments for PTSD. This project will also allow for evaluation of client experiences in order to optimize the application of SGB. Moreover, this study is investigating the biomarkers conceivably predicting the efficacy of SGB and its mechanism of action using brain imaging. SGB provides a novel intervention for PTSD potentially leading to rapid symptom and distress reduction, which can facilitate care (e.g., better results in therapy, reduction of polypharmacy, and, importantly, client satisfaction, boosting hope and outlook for recovery).
Predictors of clozapine treatment
Research team: Lauri Tuominen, David Attwood, Alexandra Baines, Clifford Cassidy, Domenic Ielo, Reggie Taylor, Rami Hamati, Cecelia Shvetz
Using a novel semi-structured interview and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) application as a brief, simple and non-invasive alternative to more invasive imaging techniques, this study is investigating the psychosocial and biological marker used to determine clozapine adherence and response. Clozapine is the gold-standard antipsychotic agent for the treatment of otherwise treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Still, only 75 per cent of individuals adhere to clozapine treatment and furthermore, only 40 per cent show positive response.
Currently, clinicians do not have tools to predict adherence or treatment outcomes of clozapine treatment. Therefore, treatment is based on trial and error, which is time consuming and expensive. Ability to predict adherence and response to clozapine treatment would improve efficiency; reduce costs and risks due to unnecessary interventions; and lead to earlier initiation of successful therapy and benefits in personal and social function.
Development and implementation of the functional prescription program in forensic rehabilitation
Research team: Guillaume Tremblay, Michael Seto, Jonathan Gray, Matt Leblanc, Marc Caron, Nicole Rodrigues
To help clients succeed in their community reintegration, this study is developing a prescription ‘script’ that outlines the daily tasks, and life skills, that both the client and team have identified as targets to ensure successful progression in their rehabilitation journey. This script will allow both the client and staff to objectively monitor a client’s adherence to the agreed upon expectations related to activities of daily living and forensic rehabilitation.
The project will develop and evaluate the effectiveness of the script by following clients at multiple times during the year to measure their progression into recovery. The goal of the project is to share the script as a tool with other programs to assist in the provision of efficient and effective client centred care, offered with clarity and consistency, while mitigating risk.
Development and evaluation of a virtual psychoeducation program for bipolar disorder
Research team: Kelsey Collimore, Vidi Gouthro, Amol Vaze, Jennifer Phillips, Laura MacLaurin, Glenda O’Hara, Michele Langlois
This study is developing and evaluating a virtual psychoeducation program for bipolar disorder (e.g., videos, online modules), based on evidence-based protocols, in line with best practice guidelines with client, family, and clinician experiences incorporated. This study directly bridges research to practice through the adoption of best practice guidelines. This study is systematically providing access to health education using a virtual approach to increase access and efficiency, with attention to sustainability, improving access to care, and adhering to the philosophy of a hospital without walls.
Implementation and evaluation of improved access to medical imaging for geriatric clients of The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Research team: Tim Lau, Lisa McMurray, Lauri Tuominen, Clifford Cassidy, Katie Dinelle, Sherri Cannon, Janet Cosier, Jean-Paul Soucy
For clients with cognitive impairment, the number of potential diagnoses is vast. Possibilities range from multiple sub-types of dementia to depression. Knowing that depression has very different treatment pathways from dementia and that specific dementias have specific treatments, improved diagnosis means improved efficacy and safety for the client.
This study is using medical imaging to provide insights into diagnosis for clients in the Geriatric Psychiatry department at The Royal and will evaluate the impact on treatment planning and client care. The primary focus will be on the added value of imaging in the context of dementia care from both a clinician and client perspective.
Together, donors like Canada Life and The Royal’s scientists, clinicians, staff, clients and caregivers are working shoulder-to-shoulder to ensure that those struggling with mental illness and substance use disorders receive the care they need, when and where they need it.
2021-22 University Medical Research Fund (UMRF) grant recipients
In addition to the TRIC grants, six innovative research projects were funded through the annual University Medical Research Fund (UMRF) grant competition. These grants will harness wearable technology, natural supplements, brain imaging and more, to improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental health conditions, and promote access to care.
“It’s crucial that we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of our knowledge in a way that is integrated with care and driven by the needs and experiences of our patients,” says Dzierszinski. “The UMRF grant competition brings us one step closer to achieving this, and we wish to thank the members of The Royal’s Associates in Psychiatry, for their contributions to fund this program.”
Restoration of the benefit of sleep to memory consolidation in SCI and MCI
(Funded $100,000 over two years) Research team: Alan Douglass (Principal Investigator), Stuart Fogel, Soojin Chun, Rebecca Robillard and Vanessa Taler
Sleep has been identified as one of the best modifiable, but yet-to-be-exploited targets for prevention of dementia, and a critical area for further research. This study will investigate whether administration of a natural supplement, melatonin, can be used to restore the benefits of sleep for memory consolidation in older adults with cognitive decline. The results could provide a novel means to restore sleep-related memory consolidation in healthy elderly populations before neurodegeneration is detectable, as well as have important applications to other clinical populations that have memory deficits (e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurodegenerative diseases).
Outpatient forensic assessments: Advantageous but underutilized?
(Funded $78,520 over two years) Research team: Julian Gojer (Principal Investigator), Lindsay Healy, Michael Seto, Joel Watts, Michelle Mathias and Zeynep Selaman
A routine step in the forensic mental health system is the completion of court-ordered assessments, such as those for criminal responsibility and fitness to stand trial. Many of Canada’s forensic assessments are still done on an inpatient basis, although there are evaluees who would benefit from being assessed in an outpatient setting. Outpatient settings can free up beds, be less traumatizing for patients and are substantially less costly.
Using a review of hospital/court records, this novel study aims to assess what factors are associated with forensic assessment setting selection and whether expanded use of outpatient environments may be warranted. The results can have direct implications for practice related to forensic assessment, as well as on court processes.
Stellate ganglion block in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Outcome evaluation, mechanism of action, and integration in care
(Funded $99,980 over two years) Research team: Rebecca Gomez (Principal Investigator), Jakov Shlik, Daniel James, Clifford Cassidy, Laura Campbell, Adelina McCall, Cory Taylor and Nick Downs
This innovative study facilitates access to stellate ganglion block (SGB) treatment for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by establishing a clinical pathway for SGB as an adjunct intervention to the available treatments for PTSD. This project will also allow for evaluation of client experiences in order to optimize the application of SGB. Moreover, this study will investigate the biomarkers conceivably predicting the efficacy of SGB and its mechanism of action using brain imaging. SGB provides a novel intervention for PTSD potentially leading to rapid symptom and distress reduction, which can facilitate care (e.g., better results in therapy, reduction of polypharmacy, and, importantly, client satisfaction, boosting hope and outlook for recovery).
Neural mechanisms of catatonia
(Funded $100,000 over two years) Research team: Tim Lau (Principal Investigator), Lauri Tuominen, Georg Northoff, Clifford Cassidy, Reggie Taylor, Olabisi Owoeye, Naista Zhand, Natalie O’Brien, Katie Dinelle, Janet Cosier and Lisa McMurray
Although relatively common, catatonia remains one of the most poorly understood syndromes in all of psychiatry. To address the scarcity of information about the neurobiological mechanisms of catatonia, this project aims to study the functions of the neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine in catatonia using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study patients first in a catatonic state and then again after the catatonia has been resolved. The project leverages the co-siting of a research MRI facility within a mental health hospital to study a population for whom traveling off-site for imaging would be a major barrier to participation. The knowledge produced through this study has the potential to be the first step towards developing better diagnostic measures and potentially new treatment methods in catatonia.
Novel methods to increase access and facilitate cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia in the context of depression
(Funded $99,942 over two years) Research team: Elliot Lee (Principal Investigator), Rebecca Robillard, Alan Douglass, Michael Samson, Susan Farrell, Raj Bhatla, Lisa Kis, Naomi Spitale, Caitlin Higginson, Paniz Tavakoli, Tetyana Kendzerska, Mélanie Vendette, and Peter Winfield
An estimated 80-90% of people with depression have significant sleep disturbances. Although cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) is the recommended first line of treatment for insomnia, very few public hospitals in Canada offer this treatment. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, this study will develop and test a new means of delivering insomnia therapy that is more accessible and better adapted for those with depression. The findings will have potential to unveil new means of increasing access to evidence-based holistic care in a sustainable, scalable, and cost-effective manner.
Screening for unsuspected sleep disordered breathing in adolescents attending tertiary mental health care
(Funded $99,998 over two years) Research team: Kelly Mascioli (Principal Investigator), Naomi Spitale, Ryan Santucci, Brenda Dain, Rebecca Robillard, Smita Thatte, Elliot Lee, Lisa Kis, Caitlin Higginson, Paniz Tavakoli, Tetyana Kendzerska, , Sara Stewart, Sherri Katz, Holly Barrans-O’Donnell and Rose Rosencourt
Advancements in the management of psychiatric disorders in adolescents are desperately needed given that standard treatment regimens are frequently ineffective in this population. As such, it is necessary to identify modifiable pathophysiological factors that contribute to the deterioration of mental health in youth. Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a condition known to negatively impact the mental health of adults. The proposed study will use a novel multi-step screening method to evaluate the presence and severity of SDB in adolescents attending the Youth Program at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre (ROMHC) in collaboration with the Sleep Disorders Clinic and the Sleep Research Unit, and to compare psychiatric profiles of those with and without SDB. This novel screening process for SDB has the potential to be more accessible to youth, including those in remote communities, which will ultimately lead to more timely diagnosis and treatment of SDB and better mental health outcomes.
