Current Projects
I. Clinical & Genetics/neurobiological projects // kliniese & genetiese/neurobiologiese ondersoeke
All of the projects include extensive clinical assessments. Some of the projects also involve a genetic component and/or brain imaging.
| Neuro-Gap: Genetic Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders in African Populations // Neuro-Gap: Genetiese navorsing oor neuropsigiatriese steurings in populasies uit Afrika |
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See, for example: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4634677/ English For more information, please contact: Prof Dan Stein: Dan.Stein@uct.ac.za Afrikaans Sien byvoorbeeld: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4634677/ Vir meer inligting, kontak gerus vir: Prof Dan Stein: Dan.Stein@uct.ac.za |
II. Neuroimaging projects // Projekte wat breinbeelding insluit
| Identifying reproducible brain signatures of obsessive-compulsive profiles |
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English This is the first international NIH-funded project aimed at identifying multiple brain networks that play a role in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) using standardised methods. Locally, the work is done at the SA MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders (Universities of Stellenbosch and Cape Town), with Professors Christine Lochner and Dan J. Stein taking the lead. Please note that the recruitment for this project has ended. For more information, please contact: Prof Christine Lochner at 021 938 9179; cl2@sun.ac.za Afrikaans Hierdie is die eerste internasionale NIH-befondsde projek wat ten doel het om die veelvuldige brein-netwerke wat ʼn rol in obsessief-kompulsiewe steuring (OKS) speel, te ondersoek, deur van gestandaardiseerde metodes gebruik te maak. Plaaslik word die werk by die SA MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders (Universiteite van Stellenbosch en Kaapstad) gedoen, onder leiding van Professors Christine Lochner en Dan J. Stein. Neem asseblief kennis dat werwing vir hierdie projek ten einde gekom het. Vir meer inligting, kontak gerus vir: Prof Christine Lochner: 021 938 9179; cl2@sun.ac.za
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| ENIGMA-studies - Enhancing neuroimaging genetics through meta-analysis |
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English The ENIGMA Network brings together researchers in imaging genomics to understand brain structure, function, and disease, based on brain imaging and genetic data. There are now over 30 active ENIGMA working groups! This refers to the so-called ENIGMA collaboration, particularly ENIGMA-HIV, ENIGMA-OCD and ENIGMA-Anxiety, which is focused on neuroimaging research. See, for example: https://enigma.ini.usc.edu/about-2/ For more information, please contact: Prof Dan Stein: Dan.Stein@uct.ac.za Afrikaans Die ENIGMA-netwerk bring navorsers in breinskandering en genetika bymekaar om die brein se struktuur, funksie en siektes beter te verstaan deur gebruik te maak van breinbeelding en genetiese data. Daar is tans meer as 30 aktiewe ENIGMA-werkgroepe! Dit verwys na die sogenaamde ENIGMA-samewerking, veral ENIGMA-HIV, ENIGMA-OCD en ENIGMA-Anxiety, wat fokus op navorsing in neurobeelding. Sien byvoorbeeld: https://enigma.ini.usc.edu/about-2/ Vir meer inligting, kontak gerus vir: Prof Dan Stein: Dan.Stein@uct.ac.za
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| Neuroimaging research in social anxiety disorder (SAD) // Breinskandering-navorsing oor sosiale angssteuring (SAS) |
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English This Stellenbosch University project investigates how brain networks function differently in individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) compared to those without the disorder. Using advanced brain imaging methods such as fMRI and FDG PET/CT scans, the research examines how neural networks involved in social processing respond to treatment with moclobemide. The study aims to better understand the biological basis of social anxiety and how this treatment may alter brain connectivity. Please note that the recruitment for this project has ended. For more information, please contact: Prof Christine Lochner at 021 938 9179; cl2@sun.ac.za Afrikaans Hierdie projek by die Stellenbosch Universiteit ondersoek hoe breinnetwerke anders funksioneer in individue met sosiale angssteuring (SAS) in vergelyking met diegene sonder die steuring. Deur van gevorderde breinskanderingstegnieke soos fMRI en FDG PET/CT skanderings gebruik te maak, word ondersoek ingestel na hoe neurale netwerke wat betrokke is by sosiale verwerking, reageer op behandeling met moklobemied. Die studie poog om die biologiese grondslag van sosiale angs beter te verstaan en te bepaal hoe behandeling breinverbindings kan verander. Neem asseblief kennis dat werwing vir hierdie projek ten einde gekom het. Vir meer inligting, kontak gerus vir: Prof Christine Lochner: 021 938 9179, cl2@sun.ac.za |
| Gambling disorder and methamphetamine ("tik") use disorder (MUD) // Dobbelsteuring en metamfetamien ("tik-") gebruiksteuring |
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English This study by the SA MRC unit explored the psychological, genetic, and neurobiological features of gambling disorder and methamphetamine (“tik”) use disorder. Researchers examined how these behaviours/conditions affect brain structure and function, as well as their impact on daily functioning and quality of life. This project aimed to improve the understanding of the biological and behavioural mechanisms underlying these disorders by looking at genetics and the structure of certain brain regions that are implicated. Please note that the recruitment for this project has ended. For more information, please contact: Prof Christine Lochner at 021 938 9179; cl2@sun.ac.za Afrikaans Hierdie studie van die SA MRC eenheid het die sielkundige, genetiese en neurobiologiese kenmerke van dobbelsteuring en metamfetamien (“tik-”) gebruiksteuring ondersoek. Die navorsers het gekyk na hoe hierdie gedrag die breinstruktuur en -funksie beïnvloed, asook hulle impak op daaglikse funksionering en lewenskwaliteit. Die projek was daarop gemik om die biologiese en meganismes onderliggend aan hierdie steurings beter te verstaan deur gebruik te maak van genetiese ondersoeke, sowel as breinskanderings. Neem asseblief kennis dat werwing vir hierdie projek ten einde gekom het. Vir meer inligting, kontak gerus vir: Prof Christine Lochner: 021 938 9179, cl2@sun.ac.za |
| Obsessive-compulsive and hair-pulling disorder (trichotillomania) // Obsessief-kompulsive steuring (OKS) en haar-uittreksteuring (trichotillomanie) |
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English This collaborative clinical, genetic, and brain-imaging study between the SA MRC Unit (SA) and Cambridge University (UK) investigated obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and trichotillomania. It aimed to understand the neurobiological and genetic factors contributing to these disorders and their impact on daily life and functioning. The research also explored symptom profiles and differences in brain activity patterns. Please note that the recruitment for this project has ended. For more information, please contact: Prof Christine Lochner at 021 938 9179, cl2@sun.ac.za Afrikaans Hierdie gesamentlike kliniese, genetiese en breinbeelding studie tussen die SA MRC eenheid (SA) en Cambridge Universiteit (UK) het obsessief-kompulsiewe steuring (OKS) en haar-uittreksteuring (trichotillomanie) ondersoek. Die doel was om die neurobiologiese en genetiese faktore wat tot hierdie steurings bydra, asook hulle impak op daaglikse funksionering en lewenskwaliteit, beter te verstaan. Die navorsing het ook simptoom-profiele en verskille in breinaktiwiteit ondersoek. Neem asseblief kennis dat werwing vir hierdie projek ten einde gekom het. Vir meer inligting, kontak: Prof Christine Lochner: 021 938 9179, cl2@sun.ac.za
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| Parkinson’s disease // Parkinson se siekte |
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English This clinical, genetic, and neuroimaging project is examining Parkinson’s disease as part of the SA MRC unit’s broader work on impulsivity and compulsivity. Researchers investigate cognitive and neural functioning to identify possible links between Parkinson’s and related psychiatric traits. The study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s disease. We are recruiting participants for this project. For more information, please contact: Prof Christine Lochner at 021 938 9179; cl2@sun.ac.za Afrikaans Hierdie kliniese, genetiese en breinskanderingsprojek ondersoek Parkinson se siekte as deel van die SA MRC eenheid se breër werk oor impulsitiwiteit en kompulsiwiteit. Navorsers bestudeer kognitiewe en neurale funksionering om moontlike konneksies tussen Parkinson se siekte en verwante psigiatriese kenmerke te identifiseer. Die studie is daarop gemik om die biologiese meganismes onderliggend aan Parkinson se siekte beter te verstaan. Ons werf deelnemers vir hierdie projek. Vir meer inligting, kontak: Prof Christine Lochner: 021 938 9179, cl2@sun.ac.za |
III. Intervention/clinical trials // Intervensies/kliniese proewe
| Cognitive training in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) // Kognitiewe opleiding of onderrig ("cognitive training") vir persone met obsessief-kompulsiewe steuring (OKS) |
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English This clinical intervention study explored whether cognitive training could improve cognitive flexibility and symptom management in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The aim was to test whether structured mental exercises could enhance treatment outcomes and reduce OCD-related impairments. Please note that the recruitment for this project has ended. For more information, please contact: Prof Christine Lochner at 021 938 9179; cl2@sun.ac.za Afrikaans Hierdie kliniese intervensie het gekyk of kognitiewe opleiding/onderrig (“cognitive training”) kognitiewe buigsaamheid en simptoomhantering/toleerbaarheid in persone met obsessief-kompulsiewe steuring (OKS) kan verbeter. Die doel was om te bepaal of gestruktureerde denk-oefeninge behandelings uitkomste kan bevorder en OKS-verwante simptome kan verminder. Neem asseblief kennis dat werwing vir hierdie projek ten einde gekom het. Vir meer inligting, kontak gerus vir: Prof Christine Lochner: 021 938 9179, cl2@sun.ac.za
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Other studies, including neurodevelopmental projects
Other ongoing research projects include:
- The World Mental Health-International College Survey (WMH-ICS) project
- The Drakenstein Child Health Study, which includes a wide range of translational neuroscience research relevant to neurodevelopment.
- This Unit is also strongly affiliated with the Mental Health Information Centre of Southern Africa (MHIC) - see below for more details.
| International Study on Students Health and Wellness // Internasionale Studie oor Studentegesondheid en -welwees |
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English This international 4-year-long longitudinal study, led by Professor Bruffaerts at Leuven University in Belgium and conducted locally at SU and UCT, investigated the health and well-being of university students. It aimed to identify risk factors for mental health problems in students, assess the types of mental health services students use, and inform prevention and intervention strategies for at-risk groups. Please note that the recruitment for this project has ended. For more information, please contact: Prof Christine Lochner at 021 938 9179; cl2@sun.ac.za Afrikaans Hierdie internasionale 4-jaar longitudinale studie, onder leiding van Professor Bruffaerts van Leuven Universiteit in België en plaaslik by US en UK, het die gesondheid en welwees van universiteitstudente ondersoek. Die doel was om risikofaktore vir geestesgesondheidsprobleme te identifiseer, te bepaal van watter welweesdienste studente gebruik maak, en voorkomings- en behandelingsprogramme vir hoë-risiko groepe te verbeter. Neem asseblief kennis dat werwing vir hierdie projek ten einde gekom het. Vir meer inligting, kontak gerus vir: Prof Christine Lochner: 021 938 9179, cl2@sun.ac.za |
| The Drakenstein Child Health Study // Die Drakenstein Kindergesondheid-studie |
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English For more details on this study, please visit: https://health.uct.ac.za/department-paediatrics/research-about-research-department-research-units-mrc-unit-child-and-adolescent-health/drakenstein-child-health-study-dchs For more information, please contact: Prof Christine Lochner: 021 938 9179, cl2@sun.ac.za Afrikaans Vir meer oor hierdie studie, besoek gerus: https://health.uct.ac.za/department-paediatrics/research-about-research-department-research-units-mrc-unit-child-and-adolescent-health/drakenstein-child-health-study-dchs Vir meer inligting, kontak gerus vir: Prof Christine Lochner: 021 938 9179, cl2@sun.ac.za |
| The Mental Health Information Centre of Southern Africa (MHIC) // Die Geestesgesondheid Inligtingsentrum van Suidelike Afrika (GGIS) |
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English The Mental Health Information Centre of Southern Africa (MHIC), part of the SA MRC Unit, serves as an information and awareness hub for mental health in Southern Africa. The MHIC also provides a 24-hour turnaround telephone support service. It supports recruitment, research dissemination, professional and public education, and engagement with advocacy groups, while also studying community and clinician attitudes toward psychiatric disorders. To learn more about the MHIC, please visit: www.mentalhealthsa.org.za For more information, please contact: MHIC: 021 939229, MHIC@sun.ac.za Afrikaans Die Geestesgesondheid Inligtingsentrum van Suider-Afrika (GGIS), deel van die SA MRC Eenheid, dien as ’n inligtings- en bewusmakingsentrum vir geestesgesondheid in Suider-Afrika. Die GGIS bied ook ’n 24-uur-omkeertyd vir telefoniese ondersteuning. Dit ondersteun navorsingsverspreiding, professionele en publieke opvoeding, en samewerking, terwyl dit ook gemeenskaps- en klinikus-houdings teenoor psigiatriese versteurings ondersoek. Vir meer inligting, kontak gerus vir: GGIS: 021 938 9229, MHIC@sun.ac.za |