Overview of Current Research

The Department of Psychiatry has a strong history of extramural funding, especially in the areas of schizophrenia, depression, brain stimulation, and suicide.  We have received about $2,000,000 in direct cost support for our extramural research programs since the fiscal year 2013, with the strongest support coming from the NIMH.

Active Extramural Grants in the Department, by topic:

Schizophrenia

A Study to Evaluate the Effect of ALKS 3831 Compared to Olanzapine on Body Weight in Young Adults with Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, or Bipolar I Disorder Who are Early in Their Illness
     Alkermes, Inc
     PI: Joseph McEvoy, M.D.
A randomized controlled trial of adjunctive tocilizumab in schizophrenia.
     NARSAD Independent Investigator Grant
     PI: Brian Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
A randomized controlled trial of adjunctive siltuximab in schizophrenia.
     Stanley Medical Research Institute
     PI: Brian Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Insomnia, Autonomic Dysfunction, and Suicidal Ideation in Schizophrenia
      Augusta University Pilot Study Research Program
      PI: Brian Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Improving cognition via exercise in schizophrenia
     National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
     PI: Joseph McEvoy, MD
A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of Brexpiprazole for the treatment of co-occurring schizophrenia and substance use disorder
      Otsuka Pharmaceuticals
      PI: Joseph McEvoy, MD
Clozapine for the Prevention of Violence in Schizophrenia: a Randomized Clinical Trial
     National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
     PI: Joseph McEvoy, MD
Observational Study of LAIs in Schizophrenia
     Alkermes, Inc
     PI: Joseph McEvoy, M.D.
Phase II, A randomized, double-blind, multiple-dose, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BIIB104 in subjects with cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia
     Biogen MA, Inc.
     PI: Joseph McEvoy, MD
A randomized controlled trial of adjunctive tocilizumab in schizophrenia.
     NARSAD Independent Investigator Grant
     PI: Brian Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
A randomized controlled trial of adjunctive siltuximab in schizophrenia.
     Stanley Medical Research Institute
     PI: Brian Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Clozapine, Insomnia, Hyperarousal, and Suicide in Schizophrenia
    Augusta University Pilot Study Research Program
    PI: Brian Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
A phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of orally administered BI 409306 during a 52-week treatment period as an early intervention in patients with attenuated psychosis syndrome.
     Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
     PI: Joseph McEvoy, MD
Improving cognition via exercise in schizophrenia
     National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
     PI: Joseph McEvoy, MD
Metformin and Lorcaserin for weight loss in people with schizophrenia
     National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
     PI: Joseph McEvoy, MD
A phase II, 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study to evaluate efficacy, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of the three dose levels of TAK-831 in adjunctive treatment of adult patients with negative symptoms of schizophrenia
     Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
     PI: Joseph McEvoy, MD
Phase II, A randomized, double-blind, multiple-dose, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BIIB104 in subjects with cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia
     Biogen MA, Inc.
     PI: Joseph McEvoy, MD

Mood Disorders, Suicide & Sleep

Pilot studies of pupillometry in suicidal and non-suicidal patients
     Augusta University
     PI: W. Vaughn McCall, MD
     Co-investigator: Peter B. Rosenquist, MD and Brian Miller, MD, Ph.D., MPH

Brain stimulation: ECT & rTMS

A randomized double-blind feasibility study comparing mood and cognitive outcomes for depressed patients treated with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with Lumosity cognitive exercises vs. computer game control task.
     PI: Peter B. Rosenquist, MD
The use of paired pulse TMS measures to assess drug effects on Neuronal Excitability in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
     PI: Peter B. Rosenquist, MD
The Randomised Controlled Trial of Frontoparietal and Temporoparietal Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for Severe Depression: The RAFT ECT Study
     Augusta University
     PI: W. Vaughn McCall, MD
Focal Electrically-Administered Seizure Therapy (FEAST) (2-site study)
     Mecta Corporation (ClinicalTrials.gov   Identifier: NCT02535572)
     PI: W. Vaughn McCall, MD
RECOVER: A Prospective, Multi-Center, Randomized Controlled Blinded Trial Demonstrating the Safety and Effectiveness of VNS Therapy System as Adjunctive Therapy Versus a No Stimulation Control in Subjects with Treatment- Resistant Depression
     Augusta University
     PI: Peter B. Rosenquist, MD
     Co-Investigator: W. Vaughn McCall, MD., MS
Training Psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners, and Psychologist to Work Collaboratively to Address Rural Behavioral Health Disparities
     Health Resources and Services Administration
     Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program
     PI: Jean Pawl
     Coinvestigator and Course Director: Peter Rosenquist, MD
Measuring Time-Dependent Pupillary Light Reflex Variables
     PI: W. Vaughn McCall, MD

Other

Inflammation and the Metabolic Syndrome in Psychosis
    National Institute of Mental Health
    PI: Brian Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Assessment and outcomes monitoring in psychiatric clinical practice.
     PI: Peter B. Rosenquist, MD
Screening for clozapine-induced myocarditis-A naturalistic observation study.
     PI: Sandarsh Surya, MBBS and Joseph McEvoy, MD
Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase 2 trial to test efficacy and safety of AV-1-1 (L-4-chlorokynurenine) as adjunct to current antidepressant therapy in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) with an inadequate response to current antidepressants
     VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc.
     PI: W. Vaughn McCall, MD
GRISAT Educational Grant (GRU Interprofessional Substance Abuse Training for Health Professions (GRISAT)
     SAMHSA
     PI: W. Vaughn McCall, MD

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