More than half a million Canadians suffer from bipolar disorder, a chronic psychiatric condition that causes repeated episodes of depression and/or elation. The condition significantly disrupts social and work lives, with high costs to the health care system. Although medical management of bipolar disorder has improved, many people have repeat episodes requiring frequent hospitalizations, and 15 percent of patients commit suicide. Research on the disorder is beginning to focus on treatments involving psychoeducation as well medication. This approach is designed to provide education about bipolar disorder and its treatment, promote early detection of symptoms, encourage regular sleep-wake cycles and social routines, enhance self-monitoring, and improve stress management skills. Dr. Erin Michalak is studying whether psychoeducation can improve quality of life for patients who have experienced their first episode of elated mood (mania). The research could determine whether psychoeducation helps to prevent relapse, reduce symptoms, improve adherence to medication, and improve ability to function socially and at work. The findings could be used to develop early intervention programs for people newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Research Pillar: Clinical
Effects of acute and chronic exercise on mental health, sexual functioning and hormone level in premenopausal women
Regular aerobic exercise can significantly improve physical and mental health. Exercise helps prevent and treat heart disease, hypertension and stroke. It also alleviates stress, anxiety and depression. Yet little research has been undertaken to access the impact of exercise on sexual functioning in women, even though sexual health is increasingly recognized as an important part of overall well-being and quality of life. Research involving men suggests regular aerobic exercise can enhance sexual desire, frequency and satisfaction. Amanda LaMarre is investigating how short-term and regular aerobic exercise affects sexual arousal and functioning in women, with a focus on physical, hormonal and psychological changes created by exercise. The results could help women with satisfactory sexual functioning and those experiencing sexual difficulties learn how to enhance their sexual, physical and emotional health.
Associations among decreased planum temporale asymmetry, functional laterality during semantic processing, and severity of thought disorder in Schizophrenia
Most language processing occurs in the left hemisphere of the brain. In schizophrenia, language is disturbed on several levels: from abnormal anatomy in essential regions of the left hemisphere to deficits in comprehension and expression. Studies suggest genetic and environmental factors interact to cause abnormal anatomical development in the left hemisphere, resulting in abnormal functions that lead to schizophrenia symptoms. Sara Weinstein is investigating how abnormal brain structure and brain functions relate to a deviation in linguistic processing and expression that results in thought disorder, which is a primary symptom of schizophrenia. The research could help explain what causes schizophrenia symptoms â the first step toward developing more effective treatments.
Cervical cancer and sexuality: effects of a psychoeducational intervention and sildenafil on sexual arousal, relationship satisfaction and quality of life after hysterectomy
More than 25 percent of women who have a radical hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus, cervix, and upper vagina) as part of treatment for cervical cancer develop sexual difficulties related to genital arousal. There are no established treatments for these sexual problems leaving women with chronic distress. Dr. Lori Brotto has developed and is assessing whether a psycho-educational treatment can improve sexual arousal in these women. She is also assessing the effectiveness of combining the treatment with sildenafil citrate (Viagra). Dr. Brotto aims to incorporate qualitative feedback with psycho-physiological and self-report measures on the effectiveness of the psycho-educational treatment in hopes of improving clinical practice. The research could help improve sexual health, mood, and overall quality of life for cancer survivors and their partners. It could also broaden understanding of womenâs sexuality and guide future research to better address womenâs sexual health care needs.
Toxicogenetic analysis of valproic acid-associated hepatotoxicity in pediatric epileptic patients
Valproic acid is a drug that has been used successfully for the treatment of many types of seizures. Yet for some patients, the drug is associated with liver failure. Clinicians are not able to predict which patient will be at risk for this serious and sometime fatal side effect, but it is known that liver failure is more common in the very young patients and when the drug is used together with other anticonvulsants. Tony Kiang is studying the possibility that individuals could have a genetic predisposition for developing liver failure following valproic acid therapy. In his research project, Tony will be using advanced genomic technologies to test this hypothesis. Results from this research will help clinicians identify which patients are suitable to be prescribed valproic acid.
The importance of visual speech information in the recognition of one's native language
Infants are inundated with visual and auditory information that is critical to their development of communication. One important communication skill that infants learn is the ability to discriminate between their native language and an unfamiliar language. Whitney Weikum is studying whether infants can develop the ability to discern people speaking in the infantsâ native language, versus other languages, based solely on visual information. The research involves conducting imaging studies that will determine the neural processes responsible for analyzing visual information. Results from the study could help create definitive tests for patterns of normal communication development. Such tests could lead to early identification and treatment of infants with disorders such as Autism.
Dose corrections for inhomogeneities in small field intensity modulated x-ray radiation therapy
Alanah Bergmanâs research focuses on the use of high energy x-ray radiation in cancer treatment. Radiation fields are shaped to deliver high doses that conform closely to the shape of the tumour being targeted. A new technique called Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) uses a collimator to fine-tune the shape and intensity of the radiation field. But it is difficult to accurately calculate the dose for small fields, especially when inhomogeneous tissue â such as lung, air or bone â is included in the treatment area. Alanah Bergman is investigating methods for improving dose calculations for x-ray radiation treatment. She will quantify errors in dose calculations and modify the calculations to improve their accuracy. Results from the study could provide radiation oncologists with better tools for making treatment decisions and ultimately benefit patients receiving radiation therapy for cancer, particularly cancers of the head/neck, lung and breast.
The effect of early controlled mobilization interventions on early fracture healing in a simulated hand fracture-healing model
Each year, about 11,500 people in BC fracture bones in the hand, usually from an accidental fall, a blow or compression between objects. Treatment typically involves immobilizing the fractured hand in a cast or splint for up to four weeks, which is necessary to allow bones to heal, but can also lead to loss of function and the need for further interventions or rehabilitation. Some studies have shown that earlier controlled mobilization of the hand following a fracture could reduce the negative consequences associated with immobilization. But studies havenât addressed whether this earlier intervention is safe or will improve function. Lynne Feehan is examining the safety of two methods for early mobilization to lay the foundation for future research into this potentially useful approach for reducing side effects and improving fracture healing.
The relationship between developmental factors and the ability of children to accurately complete a self-report pain scale
Pain is a complex, subjective experience that cannot be measured directly. Self-report rating scales are commonly used to assess an individualâs pain experience, but with children, clinicians need to determine whether a child can accurately complete a scale. Little research has been done on methods to assess childrenâs accuracy in using these scales. As a MSFHR Masters Trainee, Elizabeth Stanford (Job) examined ways children use everyday language to describe pain. Now she is assessing young childrenâs ability to accurately convey their level of pain through methods that include pointing to a series of pain faces developed as a rating scale. The research will increase understanding of how developmental factors â such as language and numerical reasoning â influence childrenâs ability to accurately express pain with these scales, and ultimately lead to more effective pain assessment and treatment for children.
The development of a lymphatic stress test
Many women develop lymphedema, painful swelling in the hand or arm, after treatment for breast cancer. Various therapies can manage lymphedema, but not cure the chronic condition. As a result, women have to live with side effects including restricted movement in the affected arm and increased risk of infection, and some report reduced quality of life due to increased anxiety, emotional distress and depression. Lymphedema is typically diagnosed by measuring arm volume and/or circumference. But the methods used do not measure changes in lymphatic function. Kirstin Lane is developing a test protocol using lymphoscintigraphy to measure lymphatic function, which could be used to evaluate the effectiveness of current treatments for lymphedema. In addition, exercise was originally believed to exacerbate breast cancer-related lymphedema, but recent research suggests exercise may have a positive impact on lymphatic function. The new test could be used to assess the effects of exercise and to develop appropriate exercise guidelines.