Research in Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences

Basic science and clinically focused research are at the core of the academic mission of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences. As progress in the neurosciences and genetics proceeds rapidly, it is ever more clear that psychiatric illnesses have their foundation in neurobiology. As such, the essential research into the genesis of these illnesses is integral to the clinical and educational missions of the department. Particularly exciting is current work in neuroimaging (including functional neuroimaging) and genetics in the understanding of the anatomical substrates of psychiatric illnesses.

In addition, research into clinical interventions (medications, non-medication somatic treatments such as transcortical magnetic stimulation, and various evidence-based psychotherapy models) enable clinicians to use more tools to solve the wide range of clinical problems. As research has resulted in greater understanding of common psychiatric illnesses such as delirium, dementia and traumatic brain injury/acquired brain injury, psychiatrists are increasingly seen as the primary physicians to managed these conditions. Research into psychiatric illnesses and its biological bases has the inevitable and desirable result of positioning psychiatry closely with other medical specialties for the identification and, often, collaborative co-management of complex clinical cases.

The psychiatric research accomplished at McMaster seeks to place our department at the center of the international psychiatric community as part of the balance of research, education, and clinical care. Only with robust strength among these three "pillars" of academic endeavour can the department continue to lead the way in the understanding and management of psychiatric illness in the community.