MApRc Annual Report

Section 1

About MAPrc

The Alfred Psychiatry research centre is a multidisciplinary translational clinical research centre that is part of Alfred Health and based on St Kilda Road in the heart of Melbourne. From here, we carry out world-class research that involves innovative, clinical trials and projects that aim to make a transformative difference to the lives of people experiencing severe mental illness. MAPrc is part of Alfred Brain, within Alfred Health, which enables us to work alongside talented neuroscience researchers and clinicians, and adopt new, exciting research that we can apply to improve outcomes for people living with mental illness.

The core team consists of our Director, Deputy Director, Research Manager, Research Fellows, Clinical Research Assistants and postgraduate students. Overall, our team comprises over 100 multidisciplinary staff from medicine, nursing, psychology, allied health, science and health information services. We are dedicated to finding new approaches and new treatments to move the field of Psychiatry forward and provide safe, effective treatments for people with depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, ADHD and many other conditions.

MAPrc has many national and international collaborative partners We work with people with lived experience, as well as advocacy organisations, biotechnology companies and global academic researchers from a diverse range of fields. Our goal is to improve the lives of people suffering with mental health illnesses. So many mental illnesses have a devastating impact on the quality of a sufferer’s life, and impose a huge cost on families and the wider community. Post-covid, our research is even more critical, as the numbers of people with mental health challenges continues to increase rapidly and new solutions are desperately needed.

Our research has a focus on innovative, world-class clinical trials and research projects that aim to make a transformative difference to the lives of individuals experiencing severe mental illness.

Research at our organisation is incredibly diverse and we are widely recognised for our trailblazing research discoveries that are respected by international centres, clinicians, patients and medical professionals. Our projects encompass experimental neuroscience studies which are recognised internationally for the breakthrough insights they provide into brain structure and function, in health and illness. Our research is funded by independent competitive grants, industry partnerships, a range of philanthropic funding organisations, fundraising events and sponsorship to ensure we can continue to undertake valuable and innovative research.

In 2023 we continued to grow and achieve promising results with our diverse portfolio of ongoing clinical trials, research programs, and publications. We hope that this report can provide insight into the work of the dedicated and inspirational people involved with our organisation.

100+

Senior Researchers, Research Assistants, Research nurses, Clinical Coordinators, Academics, Volunteers, Affiliates, HDR and Honours Students, Overseas Visitors Managers and Administration Staff

1000+

Digital Impressions — Growing digital presence across multiple social media platforms including Instagram, X, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Participant Visits

100+

Research Projects & Clinical Trials

200+

Publications & Conference Presentations

$4 million in annual turnover

2,500+ Turnover Partners Impact

Local, National & International Partners & Collaborators

Strong Media & Community Impact

Vision

To make a transformative difference to the lives of people with mental illness.

Mission

To develop new treatments, new understandings and new services for mental illness.

Our Philosophy

To conduct world class psychiatric research with respect, equality and understanding.

Organisational chart

Alfred Brain

Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc)

Director: Prof. Jayashri Kulkarni (AM)

Deputy Director: Dr. Leo Chen

Manager: Mr Anthony de Castella

Women’s Mental Health

Outpatient Clinic

Prof. Jayashri Kulkarni (AM)

Psychopharmacology

Dr. Leo Chen

Service Evaluation Research

Brain Stimulation Lab

Alfred Health

Monash University + Monash University Department of Psychiatry (CCS)

HER Centre Australia

Director: Prof. Jayashri Kulkarni (AM)

Deputy Director: Assoc. Prof. Caroline Gurvich

Manager: Anthony de Castella

Li-Transformative Hub for Research in Eating Disorders (Li-THRED)

Prof. Jayashri Kulkarni (AM)

Hormones & Cognition

Assoc. Prof. Caroline Gurvich

Clinical TMS Lab

Dr Leo Chen

Platform — Biostatistics: Qui Li

Teaching & Education (Monash University)

MD Teaching HDR Candidates Short Courses

Director’s Report

Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM Head, Department of Psychiatry Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University

The Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc) is a centre dedicated to developing new treatments, services and understanding of a variety of mental ill health conditions. MAPrc is an Alfred Health entity and part of Alfred Brain. One of our key collaborators is Monash University, as well as relevant industry partners, corporate sponsors and researchers based in hospitals and Universities around Australia and internationally. Importantly, being part of Alfred Brain, researchers at MAPrc have the great benefit of working with experts in neurology, which enhances our important neurobiological research perspective.

In 2023, we embarked on several new clinical trials that are at the forefront of new treatment development for people with depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, complex PTSD, and other conditions. New brain stimulation techniques, new medication trials, hormone treatment trials and new psychotherapies are all part of our clinical research programme.

The Alfred Women’s Mental Health Clinic is a research translation and teaching clinic which is part of MAPrc. This highly sought-after Clinic is a unique mental health clinic that provides long consultations and comprehensive, holistic treatment for women with a variety of mental health issues. Registrars, Medical Students and visiting psychiatrists have described the work done in the Clinic as highly useful and innovative for their future and current practice of psychiatry.

I am pleased to invite you to read more about MAPrc research and related activities and invite you to join us as ‘we mend minds’.

Professor Jayashri KULKARNI AM Director MAPrc

In 2023, we embarked on several new clinical trials that are at the forefront of new treatment development for people with depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, complex PTSD, and other conditions

Manager’s Report

Mr Anthony de Castella Research and Business Manager Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc)

The Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc) continues to be a thriving, productive and innovative research centre. Primarily embedded in Alfred Health, Alfred Brain, and based at 607 St Kilda Road Melbourne, the centre is co-located and interfaces with the Monash University Department of Psychiatry (STM) and HER Centre Australia. Staff and students work across overlapping and collaborative activities of all three entities and while funding streams are different, the application of those funds is maximised by supporting administration and management of all three.

A raft of industry sponsored clinical trials in 2023 saw a positive revenue stream which supports our highly skilled multidisciplinary clinical trials team. This team works on both industry sponsored trials and investigator-initiated trials supported from grant funding administered via Monash University. In 2023, the main focus of our industry sponsored trials were conducted in major depressive disorder, schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder (also known as complex post traumatic stress disorder cPTSD). These trials are multisite and recruitment targets are competitive between sites. Our participant recruitment and trial completion rate for these trials was highly outstanding and our site led recruitment on multiple trials. Our brain stimulation team was also highly productive and our work was presented nationally and internationally by our team. MAPrc also has a role in supporting psychiatry registrars and medical students in conducting clinical research, which helps to ensure research is embedded in the clinical practice of our healthcare system and the next generation of doctors and psychiatrists.

Dissemination is a key outcome for any academic centre, and 2023 saw a rebuild of our website which involved many hours of thoughtful work by our marketing and administration team. We are looking forward to launching the new site in 2024.

Anthony de Castella Research and Business Manager MAPrc

MAPrc also has a role in supporting psychiatry registrars and medical students in conducting clinical research, which helps to ensure research is embedded in the clinical practice of our healthcare system

Section 2

MAPrc Research

Our research has a focus on world class translational clinical trials that will make a transformative difference to people living with severe mental illness. Our projects range from neuroimaging techniques that are internationally recognised for the innovative insights they provide into brain structure and new treatments to improve the effectiveness of unconventional medications for major mental illnesses.

Our approach continues to reflect our commitment to ‘bench to bedside’ research- translating directly into everyday benefits for individuals with mental ill health and their carers. Our clinical trials include all people from many different walks of life and across the lifespan.

Our research is funded by competitive grants, philanthropic and pharmaceutical industry support. The research we undertake is designed to improve treatments and understanding of Major Depressive Disorders, Psychosis disorders, Bipolar Affective Disorder, Complex Post Traumatic Disorder, Perimenopausal Depression, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and other mental illnesses. The research projects utilise a diverse range of platforms and technologies, including molecular psychiatry, biostatistics, eye tracking and sophisticated cognitive assessments.

As well as our own investigator-initiated clinical trials, MAPrc also conducts industry sponsored clinical trials. We work with sponsors and collaborators across the globe. Our Clinics enable rapid translation of our research findings into new clinical treatments for people struggling with mental ill health.

The research we undertake is designed to improve treatments and understanding of Major Depressive Disorders, Psychosis disorders, Bipolar Affective Disorder, Complex Post Traumatic Disorder, Perimenopausal Depression, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and other mental illnesses.

Psychopharmacology: Industry-Led Clinical Trials

The Psychopharmacology Team specialises in executing industry-led clinical trials for cutting-edge pharmacological treatments in neuropsychiatric conditions. Under the guidance of both Professor Jayashri Kulkarni and Dr Leo Chen, we have an experienced, multidisciplinary team who are committed towards finding new treatments for Major Depressive Disorders, Schizophrenia and Borderline Personality Disorder. This team of 20 includes our clinical trials manager, medical practitioners, psychologists, clinical trial coordinators, research nurses and volunteer project officers. We also involve people with lived experience to provide input into study design, and study conduct.

Our expert knowledge and ability is reflected in the first-rate reviews we receive from various clinical trial stakeholders and the positive feedback from trial participants. We continue to foster invaluable partnerships with numerous practising clinicians and have developed an ongoing participant referral database. We receive consistent positive feedback from our participants who report impressive outcomes, and great enjoyment from their involvement in our research programs.

The team

Team Leader/Chief Investigator

Prof Jayashri Kulkarni

Dr Leo Chen

Sub-Investigator

Dr Genevieve D’Mello

Dr Lauren Dawes

Dr Nadya Lazareva

Team Manager

Emmy Gavrilidis

Post-Doctoral Researchers

Dr Eveline Mu

Dr James Tranter

Clinical Trial Coordinators

Amanda Karagiannidis

Ebony Rauer

Marta Malicka

Navneet Legha

Psychologists/Study Raters

Emma Cholakians

Kathleen De Boer

Mizan Ahmad

Tina Liu

Prue Read

Yasmin Malik

Emma Dumigan

Anthony de Castella

Research Officer

Alex Zhang (Volunteer)

Trial 1 Trial 3

Title: A phase II randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled parallel group trial to examine the efficacy and safety of 4 oral doses of BI 1358894 once daily over a 12-week treatment period in patients with borderline personality disorder.

Principal Investigator: Dr Leonard Chen

Sub Investigators: Prof Jayashri Kulkarni, Dr Lauren Dawes, Anthony de Castella

Study Staff: Dr Eveline Mu, Marta Malicka, Emmy Gavrilidis, Emma Dumigan, Emma Cholakians, Kathleen de Boer

Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Ltd

Primary Aim: The main objectives of this trial were to provide proof of concept (PoC) and doseranging data of BI 1358894 compared to placebo in patients with Borderline Personality Disorder to support dose selection for pivotal studies.

Study Updates: The site recruitment target was 5+ and at the conclusion of the trial we screened and consented to 17 patients of which 11 were randomised to the study drug, 6 patients were not eligible for the trial and did not proceed and 11 patients completed the study.

Trial 2

Title: A Phase II, 6-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, placebocontrolled, parallel group trial with a quetiapine arm to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of oral BI 1358894 in patients with Major Depressive Disorder with inadequate response to antidepressants.

Principal Investigator: Dr Leonard Chen

Sub Investigators: Prof Jayashri Kulkarni, Dr Lauren Dawes, Anthony de Castella

Study Staff: Navneet Legha, Marta Malicka, Emmy Gavrilidis, Emma Dumigan, Emma Cholakians, Kathleen de Boer

Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Ltd

Title: A phase II randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled parallel group trial to examine the efficacy and safety of BI 425809 once daily with adjunctive Computerized Cognitive Training over a 12 week treatment period in patients with schizophrenia.

Principal Investigator: Dr Leonard Chen

Sub Investigators: Prof Jayashri Kulkarni, Dr Lauren Dawes, Anthony de Castella

Study Staff: Yasmin Malik and Marta Malicka, Emma Dumigan, Emmy Gavrilidis, Emma Cholakians, Kathleen de Boer

Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Ltd

Trial 4

Title: XanaCIDD: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Trial to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Xanamem® in Adults with Cognitive Impairment due to Depressive Disorder.

Principal Investigator: Dr Leonard Chen

Sub Investigators: Prof Jayashri Kulkarni, Dr Nadya Lazareva, Dr James Tranter

Study Staff: Marta Malicka, Prue Read, Ebony Rauer, Emmy Gavrilidis, Mizan Ahmad, Tina Liu

Sponsor: Actinogen Medical Ltd

Study updates: As a site we are on track to achieving a target of 16 by the end of recruitment in 2024, with 11 participants having completed the study so far. We are the second best performing site globally.

Trial 5 Trial 7

Title: A phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group trial to examine the efficacy and safety of Iclepertin once daily over 26 week treatment period in patients with Schizophrenia (CONNEX-1).

Principal Investigator: Dr Leonard Chen

Sub Investigators: Dr Morteza Jafarinia, Dr Nadya Lazareva, Dr Jessica Chiodo-Reidy

Study Staff: Amanda Karagiannidis, Mizan Ahmad, Prue Read, Emmy Gavrilidis, Ebony Rauer, Marta Malicka, Tina Liu, Yasmin Malik

Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Ltd

Study Updates: We are the first site Australia wide to have recruited and screened their first participant for the CONNEX-1 study. The site recruitment target is n=2, of which we are tracking to achieve by February 2024.

Trial 6

Title: An open label, single arm, extension trial to examine long-term safety of Iclepertin once daily in patients with schizophrenia who have completed previous Iclepertin Phase III trials (CONNEX-X).

Principal Investigator: Dr Leonard Chen

Sub Investigators: Dr Morteza Jafarinia, Dr Nadya Lazareva, Dr Jessica Chiodo-Reidy

Study Staff: Amanda Karagiannidis, Mizan Ahmad, Prue Read, Emmy Gavrilidis, Ebony Rauer, Marta Malicka, Tina Liu

Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Ltd

Study Updates: Our patients from CONNEX-1 are anticipated to rollover to CONNEX-X in 2024 following the completion of the initial 26 weeks.

Title: A 3-arm Multicentre, Randomised, DoubleBlind, Placebo- Controlled Study of Metformin and Atorvastatin for the Treatment of Depression.

Principal Investigator: Professor Jayashri Kulkarni

Sub Investigators: Dr Leonard Chen, Emmy Gavrilidis

Study Staff: Ebony Rauer, Prue Read, Emmy Gavrilidis, Dr James Tranter, Mizan Ahmad, Amanda Karagiannidis, Dr Nadya Lazareva

Sponsor: Deakin University

Study updates: Recruitment commenced in September 2023. So far 5 participants have been screened and 3 have been randomised.

We are the first site Australia wide to have recruited and screened their first participant for the CONNEX-1 study.

Investigator Initiated Trials in Women’s Mental Health

MAPrc translates basic and clinical research conducted on site and from research published in peer reviewed journals to inform clinical trials of potential new treatments and interventions that are likely to make a real difference to women experiencing mental illness. All clinical trials conducted are consumer informed and approved by the Alfred Human Research and Ethics Committee. We aim to use a biopsychosocial or holistic approach where the women who participate in clinical trials are treated as collaborators not subjects. Over the last 30 years, our trials have yielded results that have directly influenced clinical practice by clinicians and healthcare professionals working with women experiencing mental illness.

We aim to use a biopsychosocial or holistic approach where the women who participate in clinical trials are treated as collaborators not subjects.

Current trials

Duavive for Depression in Menopausal Depression

Double-Blind Randomised Investigation of Bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogen (Duavive) for Depression in Menopausal Women.

About the trial

This study aims to test the effectiveness of hormonal treatment (bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens) in perimenopausal depression. It is using a TGA approved treatment (currently prescribed for moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms as well as osteoporosis).

Trial Objective

To compare, in a twelve-week double-blind randomised controlled trial, the psychological and physical outcomes of women experiencing a first-onset, relapse or persistent depressive symptoms that commenced during the peri- menopausal phase. The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of the medication combination Bazedoxifene 20mg and conjugated estrogen 0.3mg, a hormone replacement therapy, in the treatment of depression with a first onset or relapse during the peri-menopausal phase that is still persisting. Peri-menopause is the time immediately prior to menopause, which commonly occurs in women between the ages of 40-55-years. Peri-menopausal depression is a term used when symptoms of depression occur at the same time as the hormone changes occur.

Memantine in C-PTSD - The Alison Project

A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled investigation of adjunctive memantine in the treatment of symptoms of complex trauma disorder (cPTSD).

About the trial

Despite the high prevalence, economic impost and individual suffering, biological research in cPTSD remains in its infancy. A new approach with a new treatment option is urgently needed. A way forward is to view cognitive disturbance in cPTSD as underpinning all the key symptoms including emotional instability, aggression, impulsivity, dissociation, as well memory and learning impairments. The glutamatergic system, in particular the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) subtype receptor, is increasingly recognised for its role in cPTSD, with recent neurobiological research linking NMDA neurotransmission dysfunction (overactivity) to cPTSD symptomatology. Memantine is a NMDA antagonist that has been used to improve cognition in Alzheimer’s disease.

Trial Objective

The Alison Project investigates the use of memantine 20mg (compared to placebo) in women with cPTSD and aims to improve symptom severity using validated and sensitive measures.

Estradiol in the treatment of complex trauma disorder

Full title

A randomised placebo-controlled trial of estradiol for the treatment of women with complex post traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD), also known as borderline personality disorder (BPD).

About the Trial

Estradiol (estrogen) is an ovarian hormone that plays an important role in mood and thinking. Previous research has demonstrated that fluctuations of these hormones, or a sensitivity to such fluctuations may impact symptoms that are affected in CTD. Medications, drugs, and devices must be approved for use by the Australian Federal Government. Estradiol transdermal patch is approved for marketing by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia. It should be noted that estrogen has not been approved for use in the treatment of complex trauma disorder in Australia or other countries, and this study investigating these hormones for treatment of CTD symptoms is considered experimental.

Trial objectives

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of ovarian hormone, estrogen, in addition to any existing treatment one may already be receiving for the symptoms of complex trauma disorder.

Bazedoxifene in Women with Schizophrenia

Bazedoxifene – A new selective estrogen receptor modulator treatment for women with schizophrenia

About the Trial

Bazedoxifene is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM), which means that it can use the positive effects of estrogen (e.g. improving emotional symptoms, memory, information processing and concentration, as well as improving bone density), without having an effect on other parts of the body, such as the breast and ovaries.

Trial objective

This research project is investigating the use of a SERM for the treatment of schizophrenia. The purpose of this project is to investigate the effects of Bazedoxifene (a new form of estrogen) as a treatment for women with schizophrenia.

Bazedoxifene is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM), which means that it can use the positive effects of estrogen without having an effect on other parts of the body

Zoely vs Zoloft in Premenstrual Dysphoric

Disorder

A randomised double-blind interventional pilot of Zoely and Zoloft to treat Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

About the Trial

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a common condition that causes significant distress and disruption to daily life. The treatment options for PMDD are limited, however, newer forms of combined oral contraceptive pills are becoming available and investigation of their efficacy is urgently needed. Moreover, no study to date has directly compared the efficacy of the first-line treatment options for PMDD.

Trial objective

The proposed study aims to investigate whether nomegestrol acetate/17-beta estradiol (Zoely) or sertraline (Zoloft) is more effective in reducing symptoms of PMDD.

Depression and hormonal contraceptives

Mood and contraceptives: is there a relationship?

About the Trial

Contraceptive medications are those containing either a progestin (progesterone) or a combination of both progestin and estrogen, to inhibit female fertility. Since being created in oral pill form in the 1960s, contraceptive medication has been subject to numerous developments. More than 40 different varieties are available on today’s market, with the hope that women will be able to select an effective contraceptive with low risk of unwanted side effects. Contraceptive pills containing progestins that have been specifically developed to most closely mimic natural progesterone have been associated with reductions in physical side effects such as water retention, bloating, cramping and acne.

Previous experience has shown that whilst contraceptive medication is highly efficient in preventing pregnancy and is a reliable, convenient and reversible form of contraception, they have been associated with adverse changes to mood in some women. Depression is one of the side effects listed in patient guidelines for contraceptive medications, and lowered mood is one of the most common reasons provided by women for discontinuing their use of contraceptive medication.

Trial objective

The research project aims to investigate whether the mood of women who are currently using contraceptive medication differs from the mood of women not using this medication and to explore some of the factors that might explain any differences.

Brain Stimulation Therapies - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

The Brain Stimulation Lab is at the forefront of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) research in translational and therapeutic applications. TMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that delivers electromagnetic energy to modulate brain activity and connectivity, and has been clinically proven to effectively and safely treat depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Unlike pharmacological therapies, which are the treatment mainstays in depression, TMS has minimal side effects.

Under the leadership of psychiatrist and clinicianscientist Dr Leo Chen, the Brain Stimulation Lab focuses on translating cutting-edge neuroscience to large-scale, transformative clinical trials. This includes:

1) Clinical trials to improve the therapeutic efficacy of non-invasive therapeutic brain stimulation using pharmacological facilitation of synaptic neuroplasticity and signal transmission (i.e. making subtle and temporary changes in the biochemistry of the space where two brain cells connect to facilitate effective transmission of electrical signal from one brain cell to another), and;

2) Developing transdiagnostic treatment applications for therapeutic brain stimulation modalities by using neuroimaging biomarkers and causal networks to inform novel, individualised neurostimulation therapies. Establishing brain networks that have causal inference to the symptoms in question provides a wiring diagram which can be targeted and modulated using TMS in order to treat symptoms.

Some of their key projects include pharmacological augmentation to improve TMS’s antidepressant efficacy, a world-first proof-of-concept pilot study of TMS in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and a collaboration with Harvard University in another worldfirst project using an MRI-derived brain target to treat anorexia nervosa.

Through their ongoing projects, the TMS Research Unit provides hundreds of patients access to innovative treatments via clinical trials, unlocking TMS for vulnerable community members who are currently in need of effective, innovative treatments.

Clinical trials

In 2023, the TMS team have been conducting numerous clinical trials including:

TMS to treat PMDD

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is an under-recognised but severe and cyclical mood disorder affecting 5-10% of women of childbearing age. It is characterised by irritability, mood changes/ swings and physical symptoms that develop during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and resolve after the commencement of menses. The condition carries significant distress and morbidity, yet limited therapeutic options exist.

The Brain Stimulation Lab Team’s world-first pilot study applying short, intensive courses of TMS in the late luteal (premenstrual) phase of the menstrual cycle, timed from ovulation, holds potential for the development of an effective and well tolerated treatment option for this disabling condition. This worldfirst pilot study is currently recruiting at MAPrc, and recruitment is expected to finish in 2024. Preliminary findings were presented at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Conference on Women’s Mental Health, which showed promising results to date.

TMS to treat Depression

Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a pattern of delivering TMS pulses that has demonstrated equivalent antidepressant effects as conventional TMS. Their shared mechanism of action is the repeated, patterned delivery of electromagnetic pulses, which strengthens the connections across brain networks. The added benefit of iTBS is that each session is one-tenth of the duration of that of conventional TMS.

Psychiatrists, neuroscientists and research collaborators at Brown University,Harvard University, McLean Hospital and the University of Calgary have pioneered the enhancement of this effect with d-cycloserine, a medication with minimal side effects. In a recent randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial led by A/Prof McGirr at the University of Calgary, the administration of d-cycloserine prior to iTBS treatment significantly improved iTBS’s antidepressant efficacy by doubling the treatment response rate, compared with placebo.

Dr Leo Chen is leading a larger Australian multi-site study to replicate these potentially transformative

findings, as well as investigate the optimal d-cycloserine dosage for the purpose of boosting iTBS’s antidepressant effect. With the goal of making this treatment available to as many as possible in its clinical trial stages of development, Leo has committed collaborating sites at the Queens Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science in Western Australia, the Gold Coast University Hospital and Bluebell Health Melbourne Specialist Clinic.

A consumer-centred evaluation of this trial is simultaneously being conducted to evaluate participants’ experiences, functioning and quality of life over the course of their participation in the clinical trial.

Machine learning prediction of TMS depression treatment response

Dr Leo Chen supervised two psychiatry trainees in an analysis of his own PhD data to devise a treatment response prediction model, based on the degree of depression symptom reduction early in courses of TMS therapy. This work was presented at the 5th International Brain Stimulation Conference in Portugal in February 2023. Through invigorating, supporting and supervising research undertaken by doctors-intraining, it is the team’s hope that the next generation of Victorian doctors and psychiatrists will continue to innovate and improve our therapies and models of care, to improve health outcomes for Victorians and communities around the world.

Upcoming projects in 2024

TMS to treat Anorexia Nervosa

Harvard University psychiatrist-researchers in Leo’s collaborative network recently identified a brain region where detectable abnormalities in brain activity levels were highly specific for anorexia nervosa. Tellingly, this pattern of aberrant activity was not observed in 1,000 MRI scans of healthy controls. Most promisingly of all, this brain region can be mapped to a superficial (cortical) region that can be targeted and modulated using TMS. Recognised as an authority in clinical trial design, protocolisation and execution, Leo was sought as a collaborator on this world-first project that delivers TMS treatment to an MRI- derived brain target to treat anorexia nervosa – a condition associated with the highest rates of death (mortality) and disability (morbidity) of all psychiatric conditions. This project has received institutional approval and will begin in 2024.

The team

TMS Team

Leo Chen – Head of Brain Stimulation Lab

Elizabeth Thomas – Team Manager and Research Fellow

Andris Cerins – Research Fellow

David Elliot – Research Nurse

Jessica Chiodo-Reidy – Medical Officer

Jacqueline Noonan – Study Coordinator

Hazel Moores – Lived Experience Investigator

Emma Cholakians – Psychologist and PhD candidate

Tahlia Selzer – Psychology Student

James Tranter – Psychiatry Registrar

Medical officers and psychiatry trainees working on projects:

Surina Butler – Medical Officer

Ria Jain – Medical Officer

Sarah Gribbin – Medical Officer

Cassandra de Pasquale – Medical Officer

David Nguyen – Psychiatry Registrar

Stephanie Kirkby – Psychiatry Registrar

Meghna Sharma – Psychiatry Registrar

Pravik Solanki – Medical Officer

Section 3

MAPrc Clinics

The Alfred Women’s Mental Health Clinic

The Women’s Mental Health Clinic provides medical, psychiatric consultation services, offering second opinions about new treatments for women experiencing a range of mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar affective disorder, complex post-traumatic stress disorder, menopause depression and menstrual-cycle related depression and anxiety.

The clinic operates on the principle of empowering our women clients, providing lengthy consultations in which we attend to her physical health and mental health issues. We use a biopsychosocial or holistic approach to support women and their families, as well as providing an information and education service for the woman’s treating clinicians. Importantly, we provide each woman with the same letter and reading material that we send to her referring doctor, so that she is empowered to follow up on our management suggestions with her primary treating team. We also encourage women to involve family members and friends in the consultations so that an inclusive education process is undertaken and each woman feels adequately supported.

The Women’s Mental Health Clinic is the only general women’s mental health clinic in Australia- where hormone impacts, trauma and other factors are discussed in detail. We take great pride in helping women struggling with mental illness, who have not found that standard treatments have led to good recovery so far. We are proud to make a positive impact in women’s lives and our research findings often form the basis for our new treatment approaches. In this way the clinic is a Research Translational Clinic, where new approaches informed by research are offered.

We are proud to make a positive impact in women’s lives and our research findings often form the basis for our new treatment approaches.

The women’s opinions about treatment plus their own observations inform current and future research.

The Women’s Mental Health Clinic formally opened in 2011 with Professor Kulkarni being the only clinicians. In response to major growth in patient demand, the service expanded and is also staffed with other psychiatrists, psychiatry registrars, medical students, and on occasion- international visiting psychiatrists.

Feedback from women attending our Clinic has been excellent. Overall, their feedback details a huge appreciation of our unique approach that brings together an understanding of mental health with physical health and brain chemistry, especially in the context of hormone and trauma related issues for women.

Why MAPrc Women’s Mental Health Clinic?

Holistic Approach

We use a multidisciplinary approach combining tertiary, medical, psychiatric, and endocrine consultations specifically tailored for women’s mental health.

The team

Professor of Psychiatry: Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM

Consultant Psychiatrist: Dr Jennifer Babb

Consultant Psychiatrist: Dr Victoria Jackson

Expert Clinicians

Our expert clinicians are leaders in their respective fields, incorporating the latest research to ensure the best possible treatment for you.

Psychiatry MEdical Officer: Dr Nadya Lazarevska

Psychiatry Registrar Dr James Tranter

Rotating Advanced Psychiatry Registrars x 2: 6 month terms

5th year MBBS Students

Clinic Coordinator: Ms Marie Iglesias

Secure and Accessible

We use the best in telehealth technology to ensure consultations are secure and simple to use, available from the comfort of your own home.

WMHC at a Glance

WMHC Patient Age Profile

New Consultations

143 57

Reviews

200 6

Total patients in 2023

Average consultations per week

WMHC Patient Diagnosis

Patient Feedback

With the aim to continuously improve our services, we consistently obtain feedback from our patients regarding their experience during their clinic visits. We have been receiving excellent reviews from our patients and the feedback from our patients are a testimony of the warmth, care and comfort offered by the clinic staffs to the patients during their visits and speaks volumes of the knowledge and professionalism exhibited in the clinic team.

Clinicians prepared to listen and provide holistic assessmenta breath of fresh air compared to the siloed approach elsewhere.

Very friendly professional admin and clinical staff, respectful, empathetic, empowering,and refreshing to meet.

What a wonderful group of professionals all working collaboratively to achieve the best outcome for their patients. I really appreciate the holistic approach to viewing mental and physical health.

Feeling welcomed, heard and treated as an equal participant. Thank you for instilling hope in me.

A fresh approach, I had issues addressed which had been not dealt with or treated as serious by other healthcare professionals.

A fresh approach, I had issues addressed which had been not dealt with or treated as serious by other healthcare professionals.

The Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre, Cabrini Health

In partnership with Cabrini Health, the Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre at Cabrini Elsternwick is the first private, women’s-only mental health facility in Australia. Located in Elsternwick, the Cabrini Women’s Mental Health service focuses on treatment for mental health conditions including:

• Mood disorders (depression, bipolar, premenstrual dysphoric Disorder

• Stress and anxiety

• Complex Trauma (including post-traumatic stress disorder)

• Addiction

This facility offers a model of care in a private, secure and empowering environment. The facility offers a short-stay mental health program supported with intensive day/evening programs, telehealth and

community support. We offer individualised treatment and support for improving women’s mental health that focuses on holistic treatment. We are dedicated to providing care that is client-centred, recoveryorientated, research-driven and tailored to the individuals specific illness.

We offer individualised treatment and support for improving women’s mental health that focuses on holistic treatment

Section 4

Our people

Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM

Our Director Head, Department of Psychiatry Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University

Jayashri KULKARNI commenced her appointment as Professor of Psychiatry, The Alfred and Monash University in 2002. She founded and directs a large psychiatric research group, the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc), which expanded from 25 personnel in 2002 to over 160 staff and students in 2017, covering seven different research streams, and conducting over 100 clinical trials. The aim of the research centre, encapsulated in its catchphrase “We Mend Minds”, is to develop new treatments, new understanding and new service deliveries for people with mental illness. MAPrc is a clinical psychiatry research centre that translates cutting edge neuroscience discoveries into innovative treatments for severe mental illnesses. In 2019, Professor Kulkarni became Head of the Department of Psychiatry, Central Clinical School, Monash University. In 2021, Professor Kulkarni established Australia’s first women’s mental health hospital at Cabrini Health. She is the Head of Women’s Mental Health at Cabrini. In 2022, Professor Kulkarni developed HER Centre Australia – a Monash University Centre that is dedicated to Health, Education and Research in women’s mental health.

Jayashri graduated from Monash Medical School, Melbourne Australia in 1981, worked in emergency medicine and then decided to become a psychiatrist. She became a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists in 1988 and was awarded a PhD from Monash University in 1997 for her thesis “Women and Psychosis”. A major area of her research involves psychoneuroendocrine studies of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in women with severe mental illnesses. In particular, she has pioneered the use of estrogen as a new treatment in severe mental illness. Jayashri has been invited to deliver keynote addresses at many international meetings and conferences, and collaborates extensively with researchers nationally and throughout the world.

Women’s Mental Health is a major area of Jayashri’s research. In 2015, Professor Kulkarni founded the

Australian Consortium for Women’s Mental Health and is well known internationally for her work. She is part of the executive committee and was the President of the International Association for Women’s Mental Health from 2017 to 2019. In March 2008, she successfully ran the 3rd International Congress on Women’s Mental Health held in Melbourne and has recently won the bid to host the International Congress for Women’s Mental Health again in Melbourne in 2021.

Jayashri was a member of NHMRC peak Research Committee and the Federal Million Minds Health Research Mission (as part of the 2018/19 federal budget) and is a foundation member of the “Club Melbourne” initiative, which involves many Governmental Departments in the pursuit of academic conferences and activities for the city of Melbourne. In 2013, Jayashri became a co - Director of the Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre, Neurosciences & Mental Health Stream.

She has won many prestigious awards for her research work in Women’s Mental Health. In 2010, with Dr Brian Lithgow, she won the National New Inventors Grand Final Award for the invention of the EVestG – a biomarker and diagnostic tool for mental illness. In 2011 her contribution to women’s mental health was formally recognized by the Government of Victoria and she was inducted onto the prestigious Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2011. In 2014, she was awarded a prestigious Melbourne Award for contribution to the community by an individual for her work in women’s mental health. In 2016, Jayashri was elected as a Fellow of the prestigious Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS). In 2019 she received a prestigious Level 3 Leadership NHMRC Investigator grant and was also made Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to Medicine in the field of Psychiatry.

Regarding teaching, Jayashri is a co-director of the Monash University Medical student teaching program in Psychiatry and with colleagues, she revamped the

entire curriculum in 2018. She also directed the Master’s Degree in Psychological Medicine from 1984 to 1997. Jayashri was the Director of Research for the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University in 2009 - 2010. In 2013, Jayashri became the Director of the Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre, Neurosciences & Mental Health Stream. She has successfully supervised over 40 PhD/ doctoral candidates and BMedSci Hons students in the past 5 years, is an examiner for RANZCP and provides mentorship for 15 post-doctoral researchers.

As a psychiatrist, Jayashri has extensive clinical experience in many broad areas of practice. She trained in consultation – liaison psychiatry, and then became the Deputy Director of the Early Psychosis Centre, Melbourne, then the Director of the Dandenong Psychiatry Service. Currently she runs a women’s mental health tertiary referral clinic at the Alfred Hospital and at Victoria Clinic in the past. Over the years, she has supervised many psychiatry registrars, medical students and postgraduate students in various mental health disciplines.

Professor Kulkarni is a well-known public speaker and has a great deal of experience with the media. She has been a regular presenter on ABC radio and has contributed to many other talkback radio programs as well as appearing on television programs such as the “Insight “ series on SBS, and ABC 7.30 report. She also has written opinion pieces for “The Age” newspaper on several occasions. Professor Kulkarni and Dr Brian Lithgow won the 2010 Grand Final of the ABC Television “New Inventors” programme, for their invention –the EVestG – a novel test to objectively identify and diagnose mental illness.

To date, Prof Kulkarni has 289 publications, 25 book chapters and 56 other publications.

In a review of her research centre by Monash University, Professor Kulkarni received a personal commendation for her leadership of her large group of researchers and she was noted to be an enthusiastic, supportive, nurturing academic who inspired research excellence and collegiality.

Our Manager

de Castella

Research and Business Manager

Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc) Mr Anthony

Anthony de Castella is Research and Business Manager and Senior Research Fellow within the Monash University Department of Psychiatry (CCS) and it’s two affiliated research Centre’s; The Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc), and HER Centre Australia – “Health Education and Research in Women’s Mental Health”

For the last 30+ years Anthony has been privileged to work with Prof Jayashri Kulkarni AM, and the many inspirational and talented researchers and students who have worked in the department. Inspired by their dedication and passion, Anthony’s role is primarily to support the researchers, students and other personnel in the department to enhance their capacity to produce outputs that positively impact on the lives of people living with mental illness.

Anthony is responsible for staff recruitment and management, budgeting and financial performance, facilities and equipment management, and strategic planning and implementation. With qualifications in Applied Science (Nursing, Psychology and Psychophysiology) Anthony also directly contributes to the research activities in the department and has been the recipient of research grants from government, philanthropy (including the Australian Rotary Health research Fund) and industry. He contributes publications in peer reviewed journals and has presented at national and international conferences. Anthony also actively supports the fundraising, community engagement and marketing of MAPrc and has coordinated the organisation of MAPrc hosted conferences, workshops, public lectures and fund-raising events.

Senior Research Staff

Dr Leonard Chen

MBBS

MPsych PhD FRANZCP AFRACMA, Consultant Psychiatrist, Alfred Mental and Addiction Health, Director, Postgraduate Psychiatry Training, Alfred Health, Head, Brain Stimulation and Psychopharmacology

Research Units, Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc), Senior Research Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, Central Clinical School, Monash University

Dr Leo Chen is a consultant psychiatrist and lecturer at the Department of Psychiatry, Central Clinical School, Monash University. He is Director of Psychiatry Training at Alfred Health and Head of the Psychopharmacology Research Team and TMS Clinical Research Unit at the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre.

Dr Chen has worked in clinical and academic psychiatric settings since 2010. His experience in clinical trials started in 2013, working with Professor Paul Fitzgerald in Australia’s first TMS research and clinical settings. His research in using TMS to treat depression has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at local and international scientific conferences.

Dr Chen has been proactive in medical and psychiatry education at both under- and postgraduate levels for well over a decade. As Director of Psychiatry Training at Alfred Health, he leads the training program at one of Australia’s most reputable and innovative mental health services, where he oversees the education and career progression needs of approximately 50 psychiatry trainees.

2023 Staff employed

Elizabeth Thomas and Andris Cerins –Postdoctoral researchers

David Elliot- Research Nurse Research Assistant- Jacqueline Noonan Research Medical Officer- Jessica Chiodo-Reidy Research Psychiatry Registrar- James Tranter

2023

Students

Emma Katrina Cholakians - Thesis Title: Identification of brain targets causally mapped to the characteristics of BPD using personalised TMS.

Dr James Morrison Tranter - Thesis Title: Reputation and reputational risk in psychiatric practice.

Dr Roshini Balasooriya Lekamge - Thesis Title: Towards an integrated universal mental health curriculum for Australian secondary schools

Dr David Plevin - Thesis Title: Investigating clinical predictors of response to transcranial magnetic stimulation in depression.

Senior Research Staff

2023 Staff employed

Associate Professor Caroline Gurvich

BA/BSc(Hons); DPsych; FCCN, Associate Professor; Head, Cognition and Hormones Group; Deputy Director HER Centre Australia

Jasmine Tadjibaeva – Research Assistant

2023 Students

Honours:

Elyssa Osianlis- Research Area: ADHD in Women and People assigned female at birth across the lifespan

Laura Brulez - Research Area: ADHD symptoms across the menstrual cycle

Elle Haryanto - Research Area: Trauma and empathy in borderline personality disorder

PhD students

Chen Zhu - Thesis Title: Cognition during menopause.

Harjit Surindera Bagga - Thesis Title: Transgender mental health and cognition.

A/Prof Anne Powell - Thesis Title: The impact of burnout on the delivery of medical education.

Emma Cholokians - Thesis Title: Impulsivity in Borderline Personality Disorder

Kirsten Gainsford - Thesis Title: Social Cognition in schizophrenia

Dinuli Nilaweera (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine)- Thesis Title: The Association between adverse events across the lifespan and laterlife health outcomes

Tanya Gilmartin - Thesis Title: Personality and Eating Disorders

2023 Grants and Awards

Cognitive training for women’s mental health: COGtrain Gurvich, C., Kulkarni, J. &; Tadjibaeva, J. Perpetual Trustees Australia: A$120,000.00

25/07/22 to 24/07/23

C-PTSD: One in Five donation to HER Centre Australia to Support The Alison Project - Trials and Treatments for Women Suffering Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ulkarni, J., De Castella, A., Mu, E. &; Gurvich, C.One in Five Incorporated 30/08/22 to 30/08/23

Support for the Li Transformative Hub for Research in Eating Disorders Kulkarni, J., Chen, L., Gurvich, C., De Castella, A., Mu, E. Gregertsen, E.Sherry Li 1/01/24 to 31/12/27

The Damian Project Kulkarni, J., Gurvich, C., De Castella, A. & Thomas, N. Mohr Family 1/07/19 to 30/06/28

Conferences Presentations

Grand Round Melbourne Clinic - presenter (25 Oct 2023)

Grand Round Alfred Health (AMAH) - presenter (17 Aug 2023)

Asia-Pacific Conference on Women’s Mental Health 2023- Organising Committee; Session Chair; Presenter (11 Oct 2023)

Boehringer Ingelheim Cognitive Impairment Associated with Schizophrenia Roundtable- Presenter / panel member (23 Sept 2023)

Menopause and brain Fog - Orca Programs- Presenter (10 May 2023)

WHISE presentation - Sex and Gender in mental wellbeing- Presenter (27 Apr 2023 and 18 July 2023

WHISE presentation – Your mind on menopausePresenter (14 November 2023)

Epworth HealthCare Women’s Mental Health SeminarPresenter (1 Apr 2023)

Women’s mental health Parliamentary Forum –Presenter (March 2023)

Media Stories

ABC Catalyst: The Truth About Menopause (2/05/23)

ABC Digital: How changes in oestrogen levels before, during menopause can affect how we think and Feel (5/05/23)

The Conversation: How hormones and the menstrual cycle can affect women with ADHD: 5 common Questions (16/08/23)

The Conversation: Hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog, Here’s what we know about phytoestrogens for menopausal symptoms (5/06/23)

Podcast: ABC All in the mind- Demystifying menopause (26/07/23)

World Menopause Day: Linked In Post (FMNHS) (18/10/23)

Personal Background

Caroline is an Associate Professor, a Clinical Neuropsychologist and a happy mother to three children. She has been working in the field of adult mental health for about two decades in a research and clinical capacity and has a particular interest in how sex hormones can influence the brain, behaviour and cognition. When she’s not at work, Caroline loves spending time with her family and friends, walking and running on the beach, doing yoga, and reading books.

Overview of Research Area

Caroline is the Deputy Director of HER Centre Australia, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Head of the “Cognition and Hormones Group” and Chair of the Victorian College of Clinical Neuropsychologists. Caroline also works in private practice as a Clinical Neuropsychologist.

Caroline’s research interests are related to characterising and understanding cognition in the field of mental illness. She is particularly interested in the role of sex hormones in cognitive functioning in women’s mental health and illness. Caroline has over 100 publications that have contributed to a better understanding of cognition in mental health and mental illness. She has advocated for a better understanding of symptoms of brain fog during menopause and developing cognitive strategies to help people maximise their cognitive function.

Featured Projects

Hormones and the Mind

This longitudinal, observation study commenced in 2019 and tracks menstrual cycle, mood and cognition (including neurophysiological markers such as eye tracking) in healthy women and women with

premenstrual mood disorders, including women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder across two menstrual cycles. Biological samples are collected to determine relationships between hormones and cognition and store samples for later genetic, epigenetic and proteomic analyses.

There are several sub-studies built into this larger project that broadly seeks to better understand and characterise how mood and cognition are related to hormone fluctuations across the menstrual cycle, with a focus on understanding premenstrual mood disorders.

Brain Fog and Menopause

This research area seeks to better understand the perceived experience of menopausal ‘brain fog’ and characterise objective cognitive change across natural menopause transition, as well as during surgical menopause (for example in women who have their ovaries removed to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer).

Projects in this space include:

MENO_COG: a longitudinal study to assess cognitive changes across the menopause transition and learn about which lifestyle factors improve or predict brain fog.

EM_COG: Longitudinal study examining the mood and cognitive changes that can occur following surgical menopause prior to the age of natural menopause (e.g. in women who are at high risk of ovarian cancer).

Cognitive Resources for women during menopause: This project is developing and evaluating a cognitive tool kit for women to help them maximise their cognition during menopause.

ADHD in Women

There are clear sex differences in the prevalence and presentation of ADHD. There also appears to be relationships between hormonal changes during life’s reproductive stages and ADHD, although research is very limited. This series of studies is exploring how ADHD symptoms and experiences change across different life stages for women, as well as exploring the associations between sex hormones, neurotransmitter levels (such as dopamine and serotonin) and ADHD symptoms.

Cognitive training in women’s Mental Health COGtrain is an 8-week cognitive training program (COGtrain) targeting cognitive symptoms experienced by women with mental ill health. COGtrain was developed through a collaboration between HER Centre Australia and the Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre, Cabrini Health, funded through Perpetual Trustees. The program combines psychoeducation about cognition, with cognitive training strategies to improve memory; attention; working memory; and higher-level organisation and decision-making. Phase 1 of the project (developing COGtrain) is complete. Phase 2 is a clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of COGtrain and this clinical trial will be run through the Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre, Cabrini Health during 2024.

Senior Research Staff

2023 Students

Elyssa Osianlis

Dr Elizabeth Thomas

TMS Research Unit Manager and Research Fellow

TMS Research Unit

Research Area: ADHD in women and people assigned female at birth across the lifespan.

Tasmia Islam

Research Area: The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in females with borderline personality disorder, and its effect on cognition.

2023

Volunteers

Richard Song (Alfred Health)

Tahlia Selzer

Conferences Presentations

Asia-Pacific Conference on Women’s Mental Health Conference, Melbourne, Australia, Oral, Theta Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder – An Open Label Pilot Study

Alfred Week, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne Australia, Poster, Theta Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder – An Open Label Pilot Study

Biography

Dr Elizabeth Thomas completed her PhD in 2019 at Monash University’s Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc). Post-PhD, Elizabeth assumed leadership roles, managing the Women’s Mental Health Team at MAPrc (2019-2020) and serving as Research Trial Manager at MAPrc/Epworth Centre for Innovation in Mental Health (2020-2022). Elizabeth is now a Research Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at Monash University and her role as the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Research Unit manager at MAPrc. As the TMS Research Unit manager, Elizabeth oversees diverse research projects across populations such as depression, PMDD and Anorexia Nervosa.

In her Research Fellow role, Elizabeth specialises in cognitive neuroscience, with interests in cognition, brain stimulation, and women’s mental health. Elizabeth’s scientific contributions have been recognized with several early career research awards, and was the semi-finalist for the prestigious 7News Victoria Young Achiever Leadership Award in 2020 and 2021. She has over 25 publications and has presented at over 30 international and national conferences in the areas of TMS, mental health, and/or cognition. Her current research is focused on improving cognitive symptoms using TMS across a range of mental health disorders. Her work not only contributes to current knowledge, but also paves the way for continuous advancements in improving patient outcomes in cognitive performance and overall quality of life.

Overview of Research Area

Elizabeth is dedicated to enhancing our understanding and treatment of cognitive deficits in mental health. The treatment of cognitive impairments in mental health remains a significant challenge, highlighting the necessity for ground breaking research in this area. Traditional psychiatric treatments often focus more on visible symptoms like mood disturbances, while cognitive deficits in areas such as memory, attention, and decision-making are not adequately addressed and often respond poorly to existing treatments. This oversight leads to persistent functional difficulties for patients, severely impacting their daily lives and overall well-being. The lack of in-depth understanding of the neural underpinnings of cognitive functions further hampers the development of targeted, individualized therapies. Innovative research approaches, such as (TMS), are therefore crucial as they can help improve our understanding of cognitive processes in mental health and enhance treatment outcomes through more effective and personalised therapies.

Senior Research Staff

2023 Students

Haniya Al-Azzawi

Dr Eveline Mu

BSc BHSc(Hons) PhD

Research Fellow, Research Manager of HER Centre Australia

Research Area: The association between depression and the oral contraceptive pill.

Elle Haryanto

Research Area: The relationship between childhood trauma and empathy in adults with borderline personality disorder.

Tasmia Islam

Research Area: The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in females with borderline personality disorder, and its effects on cognition.

Volunteers

Alex Zhang

Charles Lin

Dr Yida Zhou

Dr Summer Woo

2023 Grants and Awards:

1 year, $10,000, Women’s Health Research Translation and Impact Network (WHRTN), Early-Mid Career Researcher Funded Award 2023

$400, Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre Prize for Psychiatry Research, Alfred Research Week

~$100,000, Samphire Neuroscience, A Pilot Study Using Menstrual Neuromodulation Therapy to Treat Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Conferences Presentations

Inaugural Asia-Pacific Women’s Mental Health Conference, Melbourne, Oral, Memantine: A Novel Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder

Biography

Dr Mu is a research fellow at HER Centre Australia (HCA), Monash University. She is an interdisciplinary neuroscientist working between the fields of cognitive neuroscience and clinical psychiatric research, with expertise in electroencephalography (EEG).

Dr Mu was awarded her PhD from Swinburne University and her PhD research utilised EEG to better understand the early visual processing in the broader autistic phenotype. Her work showed that neurotypical adults displaying higher autistic tendencies demonstrate similar electrophysiological signatures to those with clinical ASD and the promise of oxytocin in improving attention in ASD. Her thesis was nominated for the Iain Wallace Medal.

She is an early career representative on numerous committees incl. co-chair of the Central Clinical School EMCR Committee, Central Clinical School Executive Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science ECR Committee, and Biological Psychiatry Australia. She is also on the scientific and local organising committee for the 2023 Asia-Pacific Conference on Women’s Mental Health.

Overview of Research Area

Her current, long-term research goals are to understand the neurobiology of borderline personality disorder (BPD). With a specific emphasis, she directs her efforts towards unravelling the complex interplay between trauma and the development of BPD. Her aim is not only to gain deeper insights into the origins and mechanisms of this disorder but also to challenge prevailing stigmas and misconceptions surrounding it. Through her work, she endeavours to pave the way for a more comprehensive understanding of BPD, ultimately aiming to foster improved approaches to treatment and support for those affected.

Featured Projects

Title: Are hormonal contraceptives linked to depressed mood? A large observational study

Investigators: Dr Eveline Mu, Prof. Jayashri Kulkarni

Funding Source: WHRTN, Early-Mid Career Researcher Funded Award 2023

Description: The physical risks associated with taking hormonal contraceptives are well described, however, less is known about the psychological effects. We aim to conduct an Australian first observational trial of approx. 300 women who have or are taking hormone contraception and compare the average mood and affect ratings of women using different types of contraception. We will be comparing users of oral contraceptive medications with users of other, nonoral, forms of hormonal contraception and with women who do not use any form of hormonal contraception. The details of their mental health now and past will be collected to produce an assessment of the most to least depressive contraception. Furthermore, we wish to establish whether there exists a subpopulation(s) of women who are more vulnerable to experiencing a lowering of mood following the administration of a hormonal contraceptive. The findings from this study will then be used for the dissemination and education of women and healthcare professionals to allow for highquality family planning.

Current Status: Active

Title: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled investigation of adjunctive memantine in the treatment of symptoms of complex trauma disorder

Investigators: Prof. Jayashri Kulkarni, Dr Eveline Mu, A/ Prof Caroline Gurvich

Funding Source: Wolinski Foundation, NHMRC Investigator Grant (JK)

Description: Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (also known as BPD) is a serious, highly prevalent,

stigmatised mental illness with no established biological understanding or effective treatment. Despite the high prevalence, economic impost and individual suffering, biological research in cPTSD remains in its infancy. A new approach with a new treatment option is urgently needed. A way forward is to view cognitive disturbance in cPTSD as underpinning all of the key symptoms including emotional instability, aggression, impulsivity, dissociation, as well memory and learning impairments. The glutamatergic system, in particular, the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) subtype receptor, is increasingly recognised for its role in cPTSD, with recent neurobiological research linking NMDA neurotransmission dysfunction (overactivity) to cPTSD symptomatology. Memantine is a NMDA antagonist that has been used to improve cognition in Alzheimer’s disease.

Current status: Active

Title: A Pilot Study Investigating the Efficacy of Menstrual Neuromodulation Therapy to Treat Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Investigators: Dr Eveline Mu, Prof. Jayashri Kulkarni

Funding Source: Samphire Neuroscience

Description: The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the Samphire Headband device in treating the symptoms of PMDD. PMDD, a DSM-5 condition that is commonly experienced by women of reproductive age during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, has limited treatment options available. The Samphire Headband device uses cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) to provide neuromodulation and alleviate the symptoms associated with PMDD.

Senior Research Staff

2023 Volunteers

Mahak Gera

Biography

Dr Eva Cecelie Gregertsen

BSc (Hons), PhD

THRED Research Fellow, Li-THRED

Dr. Eva Gregertsen is a dedicated and passionate research psychologist with a specialisation in eating disorders, having recently completed her PhD at University College London in the UK. Her PhD research focused on advancing our understanding of anorexia nervosa through a multi-site longitudinal clinical study which explored pre-treatment patient predictors of treatment outcome, with a special focus on the egosyntonic (valued) nature of the illness and how this impacts ambivalence towards recovery.

In the interest of advancing knowledge in the field, Eva has published several papers on eating disorders. Notably, she has authored an invited article for the National Eating Disorders Information Centre in her area of expertise, egosyntonicity in anorexia nervosa. This publication underscores her desire to dispel myths surrounding eating disorders and articulate nuanced concepts with clinical translations in a manner accessible to both professionals and the wider public.

Overview of Research Area

Recovery from an eating disorder can be a long and challenging process, taking between one and six years on average, while up to 25% of those affected experience a severe and long-term illness. While cognitive-behavioural therapy is the current ‘gold standard’ for treating eating disorders, the evidence suggests that existing treatments are, at best, only moderately effective, with less than half of those who receive treatment for eating disorders achieving recovery. As such, there is an urgent need for novel treatments, particularly in anorexia nervosa, the deadliest of all psychiatric disorders.

Eating disorders result from a complex interplay of both psychological and biological factors. However, research and development of treatments have predominantly focused on the psychological aspects, leaving a significant gap in addressing the biological components that contribute to the development of eating disorders. To fill this gap, my area of research investigates the effects of ground-breaking, biologically-based treatments on symptoms of anorexia nervosa, including hormonal and pharmacological treatments.

Featured Projects

Title: A Double-Blinded Randomised PlaceboControlled Trial of Estradiol for the Treatment of Women with Anorexia Nervosa

Investigators: Prof Jayashri Kulkarni, Dr. Romi Goldschlager, Dr. Eveline Mu, Dr. Qi Li, Dr. Eva Gregertsen, Ms. Karen Goldschlager, Ms. Cindy Yu

Funding Source: David and Angela Li, Sherry Li, The Connolly-Kinsella Foundation, One in Five, Swisse

Description: Growing evidence supports the use of estradiol, a hormone, as a treatment for AN. Estradiol’s ability to correct hormonal imbalances may improve various aspects of AN, including mood, cognitive function, bone health, and appetite control. This clinical trial is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of estradiol, administered via a 50mcg transdermal patch, in alleviating AN symptoms compared to placebo. Fifty participants diagnosed with AN will be recruited to the study, receiving treatment over a three-month period. Primary outcome measures include change in BMI and change in eating disorder symptoms.

Current Status: Awaiting ethical approval

Title: A Double-Blinded, 5-Arm, Covariate-Adjusted Adaptive Clinical Trial for the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa

Investigators: Prof Jayashri Kulkarni, Dr. Romi Goldschlager, Dr. Eveline Mu, Dr. Leo Chen, Mr. Anthony de Castella, Ms Emmy Gavrilidis, Prof. Richard Newton, Dr. Eva Gregertsen, Ms. Karen Goldschlager, Ms. Cindy Yu

Funding Source: David and Angela Li, Sherry Li, The Connolly-Kinsella Foundation, One in Five, Swisse

Description: Patients with AN exhibit psychiatric and cognitive symptoms that are similar to those associated with disruptions in neurotransmitters like GABA, glutamate, and NMDA. There are several drugs, including memantine, brexpiprazole, and zinc, that target these neural processes. While these medications have been deemed safe for human use, their efficacy in treating AN remains underexplored. Investigating these drugs could open new possibilities for improving outcomes in this complex and often persistent disorder. This study is a single-site, blinded, and covariateadjusted adaptive clinical trial with the aim to assess whether these repurposed medications (brexpiprazole, memantine, and zinc) can effectively treat AN. 100 participants will be recruited to the study, receiving treatment over a three-month period. Primary outcome measures include change in BMI and change in eating disorder symptoms.

Current Status: Awaiting ethical approval

Title: Sodium Butyrate for Anorexia Nervosa – An Open-Label Proof of Concept Study

Investigators: Prof Jayashri Kulkarni, Dr. Romi Goldschlager, Dr. Eveline Mu, Dr. Leo Chen, Mr. Anthony de Castella, Ms Emmy Gavrilidis, Prof. Geoff Cleghorn, Mr Con Efstathis, Prof. Richard Newton, Dr. Eva Gregertsen, Ms. Karen Goldschlager, Ms. Cindy Yu

Funding Source: David and Angela Li, Sherry Li, The Connolly-Kinsella Foundation, One in Five, Swisse

Description : There is growing evidence to suggest that disruptions in the gut microbiota may play a role in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric disorders, including the development and maintenance of AN. Sodium butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid and dietary supplement, specifically targets the gut microbiome. While it has been confirmed safe for human use, its potential effectiveness in treating AN remains insufficiently explored. The current study is a single-site, proof of concept open-label trial assessing the efficacy of sodium butyrate in treating AN. 15 participants with AN will be recruited and receive treatment over a period of three months. Primary outcome measures include change in BMI and change in eating disorder symptoms.

Current Status: Awaiting ethical approval

Senior Research Staff

Dr Andris Cerins

BA, GDipPsych, PhD

Research

FellowTMS Clinical Trials Unit

Dr Cerins is a Research Fellow in the Clinical TMS Research Unit at the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre where he is seeking to develop new brain stimulation protocols that will enhance the efficiency and efficacy of brain stimulation treatments. His PhD research investigated the neurophysiology of brain stimulation, and how brain change might be supported by stimulating distinct brain circuits. Dr Cerins’ research utilises direct experimental work, pharmacological perspectives, and mathematical modelling of brain circuits to understand how the brain changes in response to stimulation. This understanding will be used to develop and trial novel brain stimulation techniques that might have greater therapeutic impact in treating psychiatric conditions. Dr Cerins has worked across TMS clinical trials for cervical dystonia and autism spectrum disorder where he trained research staff in MRI-derived precision targeting of TMS treatment. In the TMS Clinical Research Unit Dr Cerins works on clinical trials in depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and Anorexia Nervosa.

Dr Qi Li

B.Eng,

M.Eng

and

PhD (Statistics) Biostatistician

Dr Qi Li has completed his PhD in statistics at the Science School of RMIT University in 2021. He works as a research fellow and head of biostatistics at the HER Centre, Australia from 2022. Dr Li provides biostatistical, health analytics and decision making to pre-clinical, clinical, imaging, and health service studies, and works extensively with statistical modelling, especially the development and application of machine learning approaches. Dr Li also worked as MRI imaging research office at The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health from 2011 to 2016.

Dr Li has obtained a deep understanding of machine learning modelling techniques and relevant applications in pre-clinical and clinical settings. His recent research work has identified the requirements of clinical system in the development of machine learning models for patient classification and treatment prediction which is suitable for clinical use and can be merged into clinical systems without bringing any negative effects in the areas of neurology, general surgery and radiology. He has also developed several machine learning models for clinical diagnosis use and relevant performance validation approaches. His research also has explored how clinical data characteristics, such as sample size, variable quantity, variable quality and missing data, influence machine learning model performance.

In his current role, Dr Li leads protocol development, design of statistical analysis plan and data in several large international clinical trials and to a number of smaller pre-clinical, clinical, imaging, and service evaluation studies in the areas of neuroscience and psychiatry.

Research Support Staff

Clinical Trials Manager

MAPrc, HER Centre

Australia, Psychopharmacology Research Team

Emmy Gavrilidis, Clinical Trials Manager at HER Centre Australia, has been a pivotal force in advancing women’s mental health since joining in 2007. Emmy played a crucial role in designing protocols and ensuring ethical standards for the transformative Li-THRED clinical trials. With extensive experience in scientific research and a background in coordinating large international trials, Emmy is a linchpin in the strategic and operational processes, ensuring the continuous growth and triumph of the Centre across research, teaching, learning, and engagement.

Emmy Gavrilidis is the Clinical Trials Manager at MAPrc and HER Centre Australia Ms Gavrilidis developed her skills in data collection and study coordination research methodology, protocol development and staff and student supervision. She has a strong career background in scientific research.

She has coordinated and managed several large international multi-centre research trials, with recruiting centres from all over the world. She has extensive research experience and her role encompasses facilitating communication between collaborators, liaison with internal and external stakeholders, preparation of research grants, manuscripts, reports and ethics submissions, promotions and budgeting and financial management.

She is also a key player in the organising committee for a number of national and international conferences. She is responsible for supporting strategic and operational processes with the goal to ensure growth and success of, teaching, learning and engagement. She is also a liaison for philanthropic, industry and partner collaborations at HER Centre Australia and is responsible for providing research progress reports to these bodies.

MD BMedSc BBiomedSc Medical Officer

MAPrc, HER Centre Australia

Nadya joined the HCA team in 2023 as she is passionate about research and issues impacting women. Her work involves providing medical input across a range of trials at HCA, including investigatorinitiated and sponsored pharmacotherapy trials for depression, psychotic illness and complex trauma disorder. In March 2023 Nadya was part of the team that travelled to Canberra for the Parliamentary Forum, advocating for prioritising Women’s Mental Health (please feel free to rephrase this better). She was a session chair at the APAC Women’s Mental Health Conference. She was involved in the early stages of THRED. Nadya has worked in the Women’s Mental Health clinic throughout the year, gaining invaluable experience. Alongside her medical career she is passionate about student education.

Emmy Gavrilidis

Dr Nadya Lazareva

Research Support Staff

BSc/BA MD Research Medical Officer

Jess Chiodo-Reidy is a junior doctor passionate about Psychiatry, with a particular interest in women’s mental health. She is a research medical officer at MAPrc/HCA and loves getting to know her patients and ensuring their clinical trial experience leaves them feeling cared for, valued and heard. In 2023 she was fortunate to work with the TMS Clinical Trials Unit in their world-leading studies.

MBBS, BMedSci, FRANZCP Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Romi Goldschlager plays a crucial role in guiding the clinical aspects of our research, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of both the medical and psychological landscape of eating disorders. Dr Goldschlager is a psychiatrist with a special interest in complex trauma, eating disorders, addiction psychiatry, chronic pain, psycho-oncology, psychotherapy, and family therapy. Romi has previously worked on the eating disorder unit at John Cade level 2, has looked after several patients with eating disorders in a CL setting (consultation Liaison/medical setting) and is currently working with the Alfred/Ramsey partnership’s Statewide Women’s Mental Health Service to develop an Hospital in the Home program for adult patients with eating disorders. Dr Goldschlager is responsible for protocol development, medical and psychiatric screening and monitoring of participants to ensure participant safety, as well as driving important research efforts within the Li-THRED initiative.

Dr Jess Chiodo-Reidy

Dr Romi Goldschlager

Bachelor Applied Science (nursing), RN Research Nurse

Prue works part time coordinating the ethics submissions, progress reports, amendments and site files for the unit. She also helps with nursing activities, ecg’s, venepuncture, vital signs and general study coordinator activities across all the studies. She has established strong relationships with the start-up teams and the Alfred Ethics Committee to ensure efficient and smooth submissions. Prue has worked in clinical trials since the year 2000 in a number of different therapeutic areas coordinating trials, covering ethics, recruitment, and following protocol Procedures. Prue worked in London for 4 years in the major teaching hospitals in renal and other therapeutic areas before entering clinical trials at Box Hill Hospital.

Jacqui is a study Coordinator for the Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and TMS trial as well as assisting with other relevant TMS trials. She is responsible for recruitment, data entry and acquisition, TMS administration, conducting cognitive assessments, eye-tracking and other relevant tasks.

Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours TMS Clinical Trials Unit

Prue Read

Jacqui Noonan

Research Support Staff

2023 Grants

BAppSc(Psych)

GradDipProfPsych Research Psychologist

NHMRC Ideas Grant: The Grandschools Intergenerational Learning and Living Campus –Research Scholarship Recipient

Mizan is a Provisional Psychologist working as a Research Psychologist for the clinical trials. He previously worked to support people with mild to complex mental health presentations in youth community mental health and private practice settings. His role at the centre focuses on conducting psychological and cognitive assessments for clinical trial projects on cPTSD, schizophrenia, and depression. Mizan has a particular interest in developing his skills to support people with eating disorders and has been actively engaged with Queensland Health’s Eating Disorder training programs previously.

Mizan also has a research background and has an interest in personality, social, and mental health research. He has been involved in research projects exploring narcissism and social media addiction, academic burnout, intergenerational connections and individual differences, as well as adjustment experiences of Australian retirees and their impact on psychosocial wellbeing. His current PhD is looking at developing an evidence-based framework to improve ageist attitudes between youth and older adults by exploring their personality, culture, and motivation to engage. Mizan is passionate in personality research as he believes that understanding individuality allows for greater insight in supporting and working with people. He is also involved with research on body image and eating disorders at a volunteer capacity to expand on his passion in clinical psychology.

Karagiannidis

BSc (Hons)

Clinical Trials Coordinator

Psychopharmacology Research Team

Amanda commenced as a member of the Psychopharmacology Research Team at MAPrc, in 2023. She coordinates both sponsored and investigator driven clinical trials examining the use of novel therapeutics for the treatment of psychotic, mood and cognitive symptoms in men and women with schizophrenia. Amanda completed her BSc (Hons) at Monash University, achieving first class honours for her undergraduate studies. She was also recognised as the highest scoring honours student across the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, and was awarded the Christina Lackmann Honours Medal and G.D Thorburn Prize for 2023. Whilst coming from a niche area of research in metabolic neuroendocrinology, her interest stem more broadly into the relationship between physiological biomarkers and mental health, as well as investigating novel psychiatric interventions and treatments for individuals suffering with serious mental illness.

Mizan Ahmad Amanda

BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Health Science, Grad Diploma of Psychology HER Centre Australia and MAPrc

Marta is a Clinical Trial Coordinator for both pharmaceutical industry sponsored and investigator initiated projects. She is currently coordinating projects in Major Depressive Disorder. Marta is interested in holistic healthcare, well-being, mental health and nutrition.

Bachelor of Health Sciences Clinical Trials Coordinator

Psychopharmacology Research Team

Ebony commenced her role as a study coordinator at MAPrc in January 2023. She coordinates clinical trials in cPTSD, BPD and depression. Prior to that, she worked as a research assistant working on trials in pregnancy and perinatal research. She is currently working on a trial investigating the use of memantine for treating symptoms of complex trauma disorder and another trial investigating the use of Estradiol for the treatment of women with cPTSD. She recently started recruiting participants for a new trial led by Deakin University, investigating the use of Metformin XR and Atorvastatin for treating symptoms of depression. Ebony’s areas of interest are Women’s mental health, nutrition and healthy living, mindfulness, trauma and mental health and cognition.

Marta Malicka

Ebony Rauer

Research Support Staff

Karen Goldschlager

MClinPsych,

BPsych (Hons), AdvDipPublSafety

THRED Research Assistant Research Assistant

Karen Goldschlager is a versatile Psychologist and Research Assistant whose expertise lies at the intersection of psychology, research, and health. With a primary focus on understanding the psychological aspects of eating disorders, Karen contributes valuable insights into the emotional and behavioural dimensions of ongoing research endeavours.

Before specialising in eating disorders, Karen played a pivotal role in health psychology and physical rehabilitation, co-running a multidisciplinary pain clinic, working with patients’ to deliver Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) based emotion regulation strategies and delivering psychological therapy in physical rehabilitation hospitals. Karen provided comprehensive care to individuals recovering from acute physical trauma and complex early trauma. This hands-on experience informs Karen’s approach, emphasising the integral connection between mental and physical well-being.

In the THRED research trials, Karen plays a vital role in the team’s success. She actively contributes to the trial formation, organising recruitment, outcome measures, data collection efforts and providing participants with supportive therapy. Karen goes beyond traditional research roles, offering psychological support and assessments for trial participants, fostering a holistic approach to understanding and addressing health challenges.

Jasmine is a women’s mental health researcher with the Hormones and Cognition team at HER Center Australia. Jasmine is involved in several projects, including those investigating the role of surgical menopause on cognitive experiences and the development of novel training programs to improve mood and cognitive outcomes in clinical populations. Jasmine is also undertaking her clinical PhD candidature with the Neuroscience and Society lab at Monash University.

Jasmine Tadjibaeva

Cindy Yu Bee Williamson

Diet. GDCouns. BHSc. BA.

Mental Health Dietitian

HER Centre, THRED

Cindy, being the sole dietitian in the THRED team, is responsible for designing and conducting all nutritional assessments as part of the AN5 and Estrogen trials. She will help the team to determine the effectiveness of the various treatment modalities by assessing the intake of each participant at baseline and at week 12 of the trials. Throughout the project, she will work with the team to identify the nutritional requirements of each participant and further calculate their nutritional intake of several key nutrients to help identify any changes to their diet throughout the duration of the trial.

Cindy is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Qualified Counsellor, having previouslyworked at MAPrc in the past as the Women’s Mental Health Clinic Coordinator. Cindy has a strong interest in helping her clients build a positive relationship with food by using intuitive eating principles and addressing underlying stressors and emotions related to food. With her ability to employ her counselling skills in consultations, Cindy has a nurturing, calming and grounding approach, always striving to create a safe space with all her clients. With her experience and background in both mental health and dietetics, Cindy makes a great fit returning to MAPrc as the THRED Research Dietitian.

CONSUMER CONSULTANT

Bachelor of Creative Arts, Victorian College of the Arts Certificate IV in Small Business Management, RMIT

Bee is a poet, designer and artist who has published over 20 books. In 2023, she had poems published in Perennial Poets anthology, and Sparx Issue 8 anthology as a member of The Society of Women Writers Victoria. Bee is Currently designing a large book of poems for Leigh Hay and previously designed a small graphic novel for artist Kylie Steinhardt. Her photograph was included in Journeys anthology by Poetica Christie Press. Bee filmed a multimedia speech for the APWMH conference. Early in 2023, she distributed The Frida Affect issues 1-3 which were originally ezines, made into hardcopy, full colour magazines. The Frida Affect is Australia wide, focusing on women who experience mental health issues and includes artwork and writing. This past year she has been completing 5 books, which include a second edition novella, a new collection of poems, a series of essays on mental health which is quite varied (including a TV script and playscript) and a magazine of fine art works.

Administrative Team

Marie Iglesias

Executive Assistant to Professor Jayashri Kulkarni Clinic Coordinator –Women’s Mental Health Clinic

Personal Assistant to Anthony de Castella, Receptionist

Marie has a background in Business Management, having worked at Melbourne University for acareer which spanned 30 years as a Business Manager and as a Purchasing Manager. Marie joined MAPrc in March 2020 as Executive Assistant to Professor Jayashri Kulkarni and in May 2022 also became the clinic coordinator for The Women’s Mental Health Clinic at the centre.

The Executive Assistant is responsible for managing Professor Kulkarni’s busy and ever-changing schedule, managing travel and events, assisting with the coordination of the Women’s Mental Health Clinic, managing patient appointments and providing support in all areas of administration.

Robyn’s role includes Reception and PA to Anthony de Castella, who manages DCP, HER Centre Australia and MAPrc. She is delighted to meet many people that arrive at the Centre and welcomes them. She also arranges finance, arrange calendars and the annual conference. The role is variable and enables her to engage with many guests and staff which she really enjoys, as no day is the same.

Senior Project Manager BBus (Entrepreneurship), Master of Cultural and Creative Industries HER Centre Australia, MAPrc

With a diverse professional background encompassing business, finance, cultural and creative studies, Adoria oversees MAPrc and HER Centre’s portfolio of projects and events, educational courses and annual reporting. She assists with established and new strategic initiatives such as the management of MAPrc and HER Centre websites to facilitate the ongoing development and growth of the organisations. In liaison with executive and senior research staff, Adoria plays an integral role in disseminating new research initiatives to the lived experience community, health professionals and researchers. Adoria is especially passionate about women’s mental health and supporting the ongoing research into revolutionary and trailblazing initiatives of HER Centre.

Adoria Li

Robyn Johnson

Anne Crawford

B.SocSci (Hons)

Student Administrative Officer /MD Clinical Site Administrator

and Events manager HER

Anne is the local Site Administrator for Monash University medical students. This role involves liaising between the University and Alfred Health, and providing Administrative Support to the medical students. She makes all of the necessary arrangements for the Year 4 and Year 5 medical students’ Psychiatry clinical placements.

As a strategic communicator and ardent feminist, Gill is the driving force behind advancing HER Centre’s mission. Her robust background in marketing, events, and design brings an insightful understanding of human nature to the Centre’s communications. Recognising the importance of bridging the gaps between academia, science and the wider public, Gill plays a pivotal role in translating complex research and clinical findings into accessible language.

By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, Gill sheds light on HER Centre’s impactful health, education, and research initiatives, blending healthcare expertise with public engagement for tangible improvements in women’s mental health outcomes.

Communication

Centre Australia

Gill McPhee

Doctoral Students

Carolyn Breadon

Supervised by Professor Jayashri Kulkarni.

Thesis Title:Perinatal Psychiatry

Chen Zhu

Supervised by A/Prof Caroline Gurvich, Dr, Lizzie Thomas, Qi Liand Dr Shalini Arunogiri.

Thesis title: Cognition during menopause.

Harjit Surindera Bagga

Supervised by Caroline (Main) and Dr Shalini Arunogiri.

Thesis Title: Transgender mental health and cognition.

A.Prof Anne Powell (MBBS, BMedSci(hons), MClinEd, FRACP)- supervised by Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, A/Prof Caroline and Dr Lyndal Bugeja.

Thesis Title: The impact of burnout on the delivery

Emma Cholokians

Supervised by A/Prof Caroline Gurvich,Dr Leo Chen and Dr Lizzie Thomas.

Thesis Title: Impulsivity in Borderline Personality Disorder

Dr James Tranter

MPsych, MBBS (Hons), BMedSci (Hons), AFRACMA

Supervised by Professor Jayashri Kulkarni.

Thesis Title: Reputation and Reputational Risk in Psychiatric Practice

Kirsten Gainsford

Supervised by Prof Kate Hoy (Main); Prof Paul Ftizgerald, Dr Aron Hill; A/Prof Bernadette Fitzgibbon and Caroline.

Thesis Title: Social Cognition in schizophrenia

Jessica Michael (BSc(Hons), BA/BSc)

Supervised by Prof Kate Hoy (Main); Prof Paul Fitzgerald, A/Prof Bernadette Fitzgibbon, Dr Manreena Kaur and Dr Eveline Mu

Thesis Title: Investigating neurophysiological markers of attentional control across the anxiety spectrum using electroencephalogram and transcranial alternating current stimulation

Dinuli Nilaweera

Supervised by A/Prof Joanna Ryan; co-supervised by A/Prof Caroline Gurvich.

Thesis Title: The Association between adverse events across the lifespan and later-life health outcomes

Tanya Gilmartins

Supervised by A/Prof Gemma Sharp (main); cosupervised by A/Prof Caroline Gurvich.

Thesis Title: Personality and Eating Disorder

Honours Students

Elyssa Osianlis

Research Area: ADHD in Women and People Assigned Female at Birth Across the Lifespan

Elle Haryanto

Research Area: The Relationship between Childhood Trauma and empathy in adults with borderline personality disorder

Laura Brulez

Research Area: ADHD symptoms across the menstrual cycle

Tasmia Islam

Research Area: The prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome in females with borderline personality disorder, and its effect on cognition

Haniya Al-Azzawi

Research Area: The association between depression and the oral contraceptive pill

Volunteers

Alex Zhang

Tahlia Selzer

Mahak Gera

Section 5

Financials

Financial Statement

January 1st – December 31st 2023

Income

Expenditure

Notes:

1. No annual report was produced between 2020 and 2022 due to the impacts of COVID-19

Financial Report Summary

Due to the interconnected and collaborative nature of Monash University Department of Psychiatry (CCS), HER Centre Australia and the Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc), a single amalgamated finance report has been produced to cover the combined finances of the three entities. The above report contrasts financial activity for the most recent period reported in 2019 with financial activity in 2023 to enable a comparison of changes over time. Activities are reported in broad categories of income and expenditure.

Overall in 2023, revenue received was greater than expenditure by $170,301. The total amounts of revenue and expenditure overall were comparable with 2019. While income was greater than expenditure in 2023, the surplus cannot be considered as profit, as all funding received is committed to the various research projects and clinical trials being conducted. The variation in start and end dates across multiple grants and projects means carry forward funding will vary from year to year.

Overall, financial performance in 2023 was sound and positive and there is carry forward funding which ensures ongoing viability and financial stability for 2024 and beyond.

2023 Highlights

Competitive Research Grant Funding

In 2023 competitive research grant revenue was lower than in previous years. Competitive research grants are comprised predominantly of project grants and Fellowships from NH&MRC and ARC. Competitive research grants are extremely challenging to attain but play a critical role in generating funding for direct research costs for projects and trials. They also generate funding for indirect costs associated with conducting clinical research through a scheme called RSP – Research Support Program. For every dollar of competitive research funding obtained, the University receives a proportionate amount of infrastructure funding from the Federal Government. A proportion of this infrastructure funding is passed on to Departments to cover central overhead and operating costs.

Monash University also supports research in a similar manner with a Faculty based internal infrastructure support scheme. Competitive Research Grant Funding received in 2023 related primarily to a large NH&MRC Investigator Grant held by Professor Jayashri Kulkarni (AM).

Philanthropic Grant Funding

Funding for research in Australia is primarily via national and local funding schemes such as NH&MRC, ARC and government tenders etc. and via commercial relationships and joint ventures. This is quite different to other countries such as the USA and Canada where philanthropy is much more prominent, especially via University and Hospital affiliations. Our department has invested considerable energy in recent years nurturing and developing relationships with philanthropic individuals and organisations who share our desire to make meaningful changes in the treatment and management of serious mental illness in Australia. We are eternally grateful to the David and Angela Li Family Foundation, the Kinsella Connolly Foundation, the Wood Foundation, The Cubit Family Foundation, One in Five Foundation, the Bluesky Foundation, the Alison Wolinski Foundation, as well as individual philanthropists Sherry Li and Ken Hall, who have all partnered with us in 2023 to financially support our work on specific areas of research and projects.

Commercial Research Funding

Commercial revenue represents funding received from companies including pharmaceutical or therapeutic device manufacturing companies. MAPrc has a large and thriving industry sponsored trials team known as the Therapeutic Trials Team (TTT), which undertook trials in 2023 in the areas of Major Depressive Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder and Schizophrenia. Revenue generated from these trials is held at Alfred Health and used primarily to cover staffing costs. Total commercial revenue in 2023 was significantly lower than previous years. This is partly due to coding of some previous contract research which is now coded as philanthropic grant revenue.

Government / Institutional Grants and Institutional Overheads & Charges

Grants awarded by Federal and State Government for research and other activities are captured under this category, as well as indirect government funding generated from the hospital and university operating budgets. Alfred Health provides rent and facilities support for the MAPrc premises at St Kilda Road. This makes up a portion of the Government / Institutional Grants revenue reported. Monash University receives infrastructure funding from the federal government based on research grant performance, higher degree supervision and teaching activities. The University pass on in full the infrastructure funding MAPrc generates through these activities to support operational costs. The University then applies levies at central, faculty and school level to cover institutional and overhead costs. These levies are reported under the category of institutional Overheads.

Short Courses / Conference

In 2023 HER Centre Australia convened the inaugural Asia Pacific Conference on Women’s Mental Health at the Langham Hotel in Melbourne. The conference was a great success and was attended by a total of 245 delegates. Profit from the conference is captured in this category, although salary costs of department staff involved in organising the event are only partially captured. Other revenue captured here is the registration fees for the HER Centre Australia Short Course on Women’s Mental Health. With competitive grants and other revenue streams becoming more difficult, the development of additional short courses and workshops will be a strategic priority for the department.

Partnerships

Partnerships revenue relates to revenue and expenditure on projects and activities conducted in conjunction with partner organisations such as Alfred Health and Cabrini Health.

Fundraising and Donations

Fundraising and donations are becoming an increasingly important and significant component of our annual budget, and are imperative in enabling our capacity to fund our clinical trials and research. In 2023 fundraising and donations made up 28% of our total revenue from all sources, which was a significant increase from previous years. As competitive government and other grants become harder and harder to obtain- and other traditional funding sources become scarcer, fundraising and donations will continue to grow in importance.

We are incredibly grateful to each of our donors and supporters, whether they have contributed $1 million dollars or less than $1 hundred dollars. Each of them are demonstrating their desire and determination to support us in improving the outcomes for people living with serious mental illness through the development of new and innovative treatments and to increase our understanding of a wide range of serious mental illnesses.

In 2023, our major donors were Angela Hong Li and David Chong Li AM, who through their family foundation, enabled the establishment of the Li Transformative Hub for Research in Eating Disorders (Li-THRED). Their substantial and generous gift was complimented by subsequent Li-THRED donations from Ms Sherry Li, the Kinsella Connelly Foundation and the One in Five Foundation. In partnership with Swisse Wellness, they committed a three-year gift to enable the establishment of the One in Five Research Fellow in Eating Disorders. We also received substantial funding in 2023 from the Bluesky foundation as part of their ongoing 5-year commitment to supporting research optimising and improving access of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in the treatment of depression and other mental health disorders, and pioneering the use of TMS in women’s mental health as part of HER Centre Australia. In 2023 we also received renewed funding from the trustees of the Alison Wolinski Foundation for ongoing research to improve the treatment of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) – also known as borderline personality disorder. Another incredibly generous donor, the Mohr Family, who have been funding a trial of a new treatment in men with schizophrenia – The Damian Project – was received in 2023. Other generous donations were received from Mr Ken Hall (for research in women with bipolar disorder), and The Wood Family Foundation to support the staging of the 2nd Asia Pacific Conference on Women’s Mental Health, which will be held in October 2024 at the Chadstone Hotel.

A list of donors in 2023 is included below:

Jeffrey Nathan Wolinski

The Trustees of the Alison Wolinski Foundation

Dorothy Jay Mohr

The Trustee for Blue Sky Foundation

David Chong Li AM

Angela Hong Li

One in Five Association Inc.

Wood Family Foundation

Ashley Arnold Fletcher

Catherine Young

Elizabeth Faulkner

Ken Hall

Viridian Foundation

Michael Adamson AM

Sherry Li

Looking forward

As we embark on a new year, our organisation will remain dedicated to the discovery of pioneering, ground-breaking solutions in mental health and paving the way for trailblazing and innovative research projects. Our mission is to further increase our clinical footprint, disseminating transformative research findings and trialling novel treatment options that can help improve the mental health of individuals from all walks of life. Together, we are breaking down stigmas in mental health, building collaborative support networks and igniting a ripple effect of inspiration that extends to families, the lived experience community , healthcare professionals and beyond.

Together, we are breaking down stigmas in mental health

Section 6

Publications

Bailey, N 2023, Stroop Task in Mindfulness Research, Handbook of Assessment in Mindfulness Research, Springer, Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978.3.030.77644.2.79.1.

Bailey, NW, Baell, O, Payne, J, Humble, G, Geddes, H, Cahill, I, Hill, AT, Chung, SW, Emonson, M, Murphy, O & Fitzgerald, PB 2023, Experienced Meditators Show Multifaceted Attention-Related Differences in Neural Activity. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.02.10.527999.

Bailey, NW, Biabani, M, Hill, AT, Miljevic, A, Rogasch, NC, McQueen, B, Murphy, OW & Fitzgerald, PB 2023, ‘Introducing RELAX: An automated pre-processing pipeline for cleaning EEG data - Part 1: Algorithm and application to oscillations’, Clinical Neurophysiology, vol. 149, pp. 178-201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2023.01.017

Bailey, NW, Comte, W, Chambers, R, Bartlett, L, Connaughton, S & Hassed, C 2023, ‘Participation in online mindfulness was associated with improved self-compassion and prosocial attitudes’, Mindfulness. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671.023.02168.7

Bailey, NW, Geddes, H, Zannettino, I, Humble, G, Payne, J, Baell, O, Emonson, M, Chung, SW, Hill, AT, Rogasch, NC, Hohwy, J & Fitzgerald, PB 2023, ‘Meditators Probably Show Increased Behaviour-Monitoring Related Neural Activity’, Mindfulness, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 33–49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671.022.02052.w

Bailey, NW, Hill, AT, Biabani, M, Murphy, OW, Rogasch, NC, McQueen, B, Miljevic, A & Fitzgerald, PB 2023, ‘RELAX part 2: A fully automated EEG data cleaning algorithm that is applicable to Event-Related-Potentials’, Clinical Neurophysiology, vol. 149, pp. 202-222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2023.01.018

Bailey, NW, Hoy, KE, Sullivan, CM, Allman, B, Rogasch, NC, Daskalakis, ZJ & Fitzgerald, PB 2023, ‘Concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography measures are associated with antidepressant response from rTMS treatment for depression’, Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, vol. 14, 100612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100612

Bateson, D, Woo, YL & Kulkarni, J 2023, ‘Elimination of cervical cancer: ensuring equity’, The Lancet Public Health, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. e248-e249. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2468.2667(23)00055.5

Bell, I, Ellinghaus, C, Pot-Kolder, R, Nicholas, JM, Tennant, M, Macmillan, IC, Hopkins, L, Valentine, L, AlvarezJimenez, M & Thompson, AD 2023, ‘Attitudes towards the use of virtual reality within early psychosis services amongst clinicians and young people’, Early Intervention in Psychiatry, vol. 1, no. S1, 12697, pp. 141. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.13408

Carr, PR, Webb, KL, Neumann, JT, Thao, LTP, Beilin, LJ, Ernst, ME, Fitzgibbon, B, Gasevic, D, Nelson, MR, Newman, AB, Orchard, SG, Owen, A, Reid, CM, Stocks, NP, Tonkin, AM, Woods, RL & McNeil, JJ 2023, ‘Associations of body size with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in healthy older adults’, Scientific Reports, vol. 13, no. 1, 3799. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598.023.29586.w

Chen, L, Klooster, DCW, Tik, M, Thomas, EHX, Downar, J, Fitzgerald, PB, Williams, NR & Baeken, C 2023, ‘Accelerated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Major Depression: The Past, Present, and Future’, Harvard Review of Psychiatry, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 142-161. https://doi.org/10.1097/hrp.0000000000000364

Cheng, M, Che, X, Ye, Y, He, C, Yu, L, Lv, Y, Fitzgerald, PB, Cash, RFH & Fitzgibbon, BM 2023, ‘Analgesic efficacy of theta-burst stimulation for postoperative pain’, Clinical Neurophysiology, vol. 149, pp. 81-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2023.02.174

Coyle, HL, Bailey, NW, Ponsford, J & Hoy, KE 2023, ‘Investigation of neurobiological responses to theta burst stimulation during recovery from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)’, Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 442, 114308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114308

Coyle, HL, Bailey, NW, Ponsford, J & Hoy, KE 2023, ‘Recovery of clinical, cognitive and cortical activity measures following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI): A longitudinal investigation’, Cortex, vol. 165, pp. 14-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2023.04.009

Davis, MC, Fitzgerald, PB, Bailey, NW, Sullivan, C, Stout, JC, Hill, AT & Hoy, KE 2023, ‘Effects of medial prefrontal transcranial alternating current stimulation on neural activity and connectivity in people with Huntington’s disease and neurotypical controls’, Brain Research, vol. 1811, 148379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148379

Davis, MC, Hill, AT, Fitzgerald, PB, Bailey, NW, Stout, JC & Hoy, KE 2023, ‘Neurophysiological correlates of non-motor symptoms in late premanifest and early-stage manifest huntington’s disease’, Clinical Neurophysiology, vol. 153, pp. 166-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2023.06.021

Davis, MC, Hill, AT, Fitzgerald, PB, Bailey, NW, Sullivan, C, Stout, JC & Hoy, KE 2023, ‘Medial prefrontal transcranial alternating current stimulation for apathy in Huntington’s disease’, Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, vol. 126, 110776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110776

Gilmartin, TL, Gurvich, CT, Dipnall, JF & Sharp, G 2023, ‘Dimensional personality pathology and disordered eating in young adults: measuring the DSM-5 alternative model using the PID-5’, Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 14, 1113142. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1113142

Gilmartin, TL, Gurvich, CT, Dipnall, JF & Sharp, G 2023, ‘One size does not fit all: Exploring how the five-factor model facets predict disordered eating behaviours among adolescent and young adult males and females’, British Journal of Psychology, vol. 114, no. 1, pp. 132-158. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.12601

Green, JE, Berk, M, Mohebbi, M, Loughman, A, McGuinness, AJ, Castle, D, Chatterton, ML, Perez, J, Strandwitz, P, Athan, E, Hair, C, Nierenberg, AA, Cryan, JF & Jacka, F 2023, ‘Feasibility, Acceptability, and Safety of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial’, Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/07067437221150508

Gurvich, C, Nicholls, I, Lavale, A & Kulkarni, J 2023, ‘Oral contraceptives and cognition: A systematic review’, Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, vol. 69, 101052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101052

Gurvich, C, Thomas, N, Hudaib, A, Van Rheenen, TE, Thomas, EHX, Tan, EJ, Neill, E, Carruthers, SP, Sumner, P, Romano-Silva, M, Bozaoglu, K, Kulkarni, J & Rossell, SL 2023, ‘The relationship between cognitive clusters and telomere length in bipolar-schizophrenia spectrum disorders’, Psychological Medicine, vol. 53, no. 11, pp. 5119-5126. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291722002148

Gurvich, CT, Varney, J & Kulkarni, J 2023, Hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog? Here’s what we know about phytoestrogens for menopausal symptoms. The Conversation.

Kehoe, M, Fossey, E, Edan, V, Chaffey, L, Brophy, L, Weller, PJ, Shawyer, F & Meadows, G 2023, ‘Consumer Views and Experiences of Secondary-Care Services Following REFOCUS-PULSAR Staff Recovery-Oriented Practices Training’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 20, no. 10, 5894. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105894

Kulkarni, J 2023, ‘Editorial: Insights in women’s mental health: 2022’, Frontiers in Global Women’s Health, vol. 4, 1253687. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2023.1253687

Kulkarni, J 2023, ‘Estrogen – A key neurosteroid in the understanding and treatment of mental illness in women’, Psychiatry Research, vol. 319, 114991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114991

Kulkarni, J, Gurvich, C, Gilbert, H, Worsley, R, Li, Q & Karimi, L 2023, ‘The use of first and second-generation antipsychotic drugs and the potential to develop gestational diabetes mellitus among perinatal patients with psychosis’, Schizophrenia Research, vol. 254, pp. 22-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2023.01.030

Kulkarni, J, Worsley, R, Gilbert, H, Gavrilidis, E, Van Rheenen, TE, Wang, W, McCauley, K & Fitzgerald, P 2023, ‘Erratum: Correction: A Prospective Cohort Study of Antipsychotic Medications in Pregnancy: The First 147 Pregnancies and 100 One Year Old Babies (PloS one (2014) 9 5 (e94788))’, PLoS ONE, vol. 18, no. 8, e0290614. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0290614

Mclean, C, Kulkarni, J & Sharp, G 2023, ‘The 26-Item Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26): Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure in Vegetarians and Vegans’, Nutrients, vol. 15, no. 2, 297. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15020297

Miljevic, A, Bailey, NW, Murphy, OW, Perera, MPN & Fitzgerald, PB 2023, ‘Alterations in EEG functional connectivity in individuals with depression: A systematic review’, Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 328, pp. 287-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.01.126

Myles, PS, Kulkarni, J & Nagele, P 2023, ‘Treatments for major depression’, The Lancet, vol. 401, no. 10394, pp. 2111. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140.6736(23)00950.9

Nilaweera, D, Gurvich, C, Freak-Poli, R, Woods, R, Owen, A, Murray, A, Orchard, SG, Britt, C, Wu, Z, McNeil, J & Ryan, J 2023, ‘Adverse events in older adults and the risk of dementia and cognitive decline’, Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, vol. 13, 100592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100592

Nilaweera, D, Phyo, AZZ, Teshale, AB, Htun, HL, Wrigglesworth, J, Gurvich, C, Freak-Poli, R & Ryan, J 2023, ‘Lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder as a predictor of mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, BMC Psychiatry, vol. 23, no. 1, 229. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888.023.04716.w

Osborne, LM, Jan, RK & Kulkarni, J 2023, ‘Editorial: Highlights in women’s mental health 2021/22’, Frontiers in Global Women’s Health, vol. 4, 1323318. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2023.1323318

Perera, MPN, Mallawaarachchi, S, Bailey, N, Murphy, O & Fitzgerald, PB 2023, ‘Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with increased engagement of frontal brain regions across multiple event-related potentials’, Psychological Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291723000843

Perera, MPN, Mallawaarachchi, S, Bailey, NW, Murphy, OW & Fitzgerald, PB 2023, ‘Obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with increased electroencephalographic (EEG) delta and theta oscillatory power but reduced delta connectivity’, Journal of Psychiatric Research, vol. 163, pp. 310-317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.05.026

Phillipou, A, Croce, S, Abel, LA, Castle, DJ, Dean, B, Eikelis, N, Elwyn, R, Gurvich, C, Jenkins, Z, Meyer, D, Miles, S, Neill, E, Ralph-Nearman, C, Rocks, T, Rossell, SL, Ruusunen, A, Simpson, TN, Urbini, G, West, M & Malcolm, A 2023, ‘Investigating the cause and maintenance of Anorexia Nervosa – The I-CAN study: Protocol and open call for study sites and collaboration’, Psychiatry Research, vol. 328, 115468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115468

Rubenis, AJ, Nation, JA, Katz, EC & Arunogiri, S 2023, ‘Increasing Attendance in Addiction Treatment With Limited Resources: A Narrative Review’, Journal of Addiction Medicine, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 13-20. https://doi.org/10.1097/adm.0000000000001033

Ryan, E & Kulkarni, J 2023, ‘Adding a hormonal strategy to the management of menopausal psychosis’, Australasian Psychiatry, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 233-234. https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562231155758

Sharp, G, Fernando, A, Oates, J & McEvoy, P 2023, ‘Men’s Experiences and Psychological Outcomes of Nonsurgical Medical Penile Girth Augmentation: A Preliminary Prospective Study’, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 181-191. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjac243

Taylor, H, Nicholas, P, Hoy, K, Bailey, N, Tanglay, O, Young, IM, Dobbin, L, Doyen, S, Sughrue, ME & Fitzgerald, PB 2023, ‘Functional connectivity analysis of the depression connectome provides potential

markers and targets for transcranial magnetic stimulation’, Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 329, pp. 539-547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.082

Toh, WL, Yolland, C, Gurvich, C, Barnes, J & Rossell, SL 2023, ‘Non-visual hallucinations in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review’, Journal of Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415.022.11545.6

Wu, X, Wong, KW, Gurvich, C & Dong, Y 2023, ‘Impact of COVID-19 on health of menopausal women: A scoping review’, General Hospital Psychiatry, vol. 84, pp. 125-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2023.07.001

Yang, TZT, Lew, C, Ilangamage, AT, Gillies, RD & Kulkarni, J 2023, ‘A study of cardiac outcomes after droperidol administration in an inpatient psychiatric cohort’, Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 263-266. https://doi.org/10.1097/jcp.0000000000001688

We carry out world-class research that involves innovative, clinical trials and projects that aim to make a transformative difference to the lives of individuals experiencing severe mental illness.

Website: www.maprc.org.au

Email: maprc@monash.edu

Phone: +61 3 9076 6564