Researchers on the Run IMHR SUCCESS stories In THIS ISSUE...

Volume I, Issue IV - September 2005
<strong>Researchers</strong> on the Run
Labatt’s 24 Hour Relay
Since its inception in 1989, the Labatt 24 Hour Relay for
Mental Health has raised close to $5 million in support of the
Royal Ottawa Health Care Group. This year’s relay held August
12 - 13 at the Nepean Sportsplex built on this success,
raising a total of $198,500.
Teams from all facets of the
community ran, jogged,
walked, or rolled around
the 3.2 km track 1422 times
(that’s about 4550km!), but
also managed to squeeze in a
variety of events including
yoga, tai-chi, and breakdancing
demonstrations, as well as take in live entertainment,
overnight movies, and team-spirit competitions.
The “<strong>Researchers</strong> on the Run”, a team formed out of a partnership
between The Institute of Mental Health Research
and Revenue Canada, ran or
walked an impressive 210 kms,
which was 8th overall for distance.
For their efforts, they
were able to raise $4100,
which was 2nd overall for
Community Sponsorship!
The IMHR would like to extend its thanks to Revenue Canada
for their partnership and team-spirit, and to Rosemary
Wilson (“<strong>Researchers</strong> on the Run” Captain) and Adele
Mayhew (“<strong>Researchers</strong> on the Run” Co-Captain) for their
leadership and enthusiasm.
The IMHR would also like to acknowledge the dedication
and energy shown by the Foundation Team and all of their
volunteers, without whose effort this event would not have
been the success it was.
IMHR SUCCESS stories
Dr. Patrice Boyer, Director of the Schizophrenia Research Unit at the
IHMR, has been invited to submit a full-scale application to CIHR for a
project titled “Identification of risk factors for severe outcome in schizophrenia.
Consequences in terms of protection for vulnerable populations.”
As such, Dr. Boyer has been granted a $5,000 Development grant.
Recent Publications
Koszycki D, Torres S, Swain JE, & Bradwejn J (2005) Central cholescytokin activity
in irritable bowel syndrome, panic disorder and health controls. Psychosomatic Medicine,
67, 590-595.
Maron E,& Shilk J. (2005) Serotonin function in panic disorder: Important but why?
Neuropsychopharmacology, Advanced on-line publication.
Prince, PN., & Gerber, GJ. (2005). Subjective well-being and community integration
among clients of assertive community treatment. Quality of life Research, 1,
161-169.
In THIS ISSUE...
• <strong>Researchers</strong> on the Run
• IMHR Success Stories
• IMHR Lecture Series
• Focus on Research: Dr. Paul
Fedoroff, Director, Forensics
Research Unit
• Educational & Consultation
Series on Program Research
Evaluation at the ROHCG/
IMHR
• Grant Opportunities & Deadlines
• Thoughts, comments, or suggestions
for future issues

Summary from the 31 st Annual Meeting
From July 6-9, 2005 the IMHR co-hosted the annual meeting
of the world’s elite researchers in the field of sexology.
Dr. Paul Fedoroff, Director of the IMHR Forensic Research
Unit together with Dr. Melissa Hines, president of the IASR
and world authority in hormonal and genetic influences on
sexual development, opened the four-day scientific meeting.
There were 8 symposia (including two chaired by Dr.
Fedoroff), 4 invited lectures, 10 brief communications and
47 peer-reviewed posters (including 2 from the IMHR
Forensic Unit). Topics covered everything from novel
assessments of sexual interest to environmental endocrine
disruptors of sexual development. Dr. Fedoroff presented
on new findings from his group’s CIHR-funded grant on the
validation of actuarial instruments for use with sex offenders
with intellectual disability.
By tradition, IASR conferences are by invitation only and
closed to the press. In spite of this two local press reports
commented on the diversity and importance of the presentations.
Highlighted were neuroimaging studies of sexual
The Sexual Behaviors Clinic of the Royal Ottawa Hospital
and the IMHR Forensic Research Unit has recently been designated
by the Government of Japan as the top sex offender
treatment program in the world. A film crew from Tokyo
recently visited the Royal Ottawa Clinic to prepare a documentary
about how our clinic, in conjunction with other programs
in the province, achieve success in the treatment of sex
offenders that is the envy of the world.
One reason for our success is the triple commitment of our
program to excellence in clinical care, teaching and innovative
research. Of particular note is the program’s interest in
populations that have largely gone unnoticed. One of these
consists of men with intellectual disability.
arousal and a new assessment
of the incidence
of bi-sexuality.
Comments by registrants
at the end of the
conference suggest this
was “one of the best
IASR meetings ever”
and special commendation
was made of the IMHR and its support of on-going and
emerging research initiatives.
Thank you to those who volunteered their time to make this
a successful conference:
Diane Hoffman-Lacombe
Margaret Lehre
Sandra Lamy
Laura Raby
Karen Poole
Margaret MacIntosh
Roxanne Laplante
Jason Queale
Kathryn Doucette
Kerry Hodgins
FOCUS ON RESEARCH: Dr. PAUL FEdoroff & the
FORENSIC RESEARCH Unit
In a recent study partially funded by the CIHR, our research
group discovered that standard risk assessment tools used to
assess the risk of re-offense in men with histories of sex
crimes may not be applicable in men with developmental delay.
The reason is that items associated with risk in men with
normal intelligence may have different significance in men
with intellectual disabilities.
Last week, we submitted a proposal to the CIHR to pursue
these findings by collecting data from similar populations in
Southern Ontario (St. Catharines and Welland) and Queens
University. In addition, we will be testing the utility of a new
risk assessment instrument designed to assess risk of sexual or
violent offenses in the short term and via measurement of
characteristics that can change in response to treatment.
People often imagine that a clinical program focused on the
assessment and treatment of men accused of sexual offenses is
one of despair. In truth the sexual behaviors clinic of the
Royal Ottawa Health Care Group frequently deals with men
who themselves are victims with severe psychiatric and intellectual
impairments. While this in no way diminishes the
harm they have caused, research projects like the one described
here hold the promise of a future in which men who
might commit sex offenses can be identified and treated before
others are harmed.
3

IMHR Research Lecture Series
September 26, 2005
October 7 th , 2005—12 to 1pm, Lady Grey Auditorium
Dr. Xia Zhang, Associate Professor of
the Neuropsychiatry Research Unit at
the University of Saskatchewan, will
discuss “Marijuana research in
animals: How far can we go to
treat marijuana addiction and to
treat mental disorders with marijuana?" Dr. Zhang
will review current, basic research in marijuana addiction and
adult neurogenesis, and then present animal research both in
treating marijuana addiction and in treating mood disorders
with cannabinoid receptor ligands. Finally, Dr. Zhang will
discuss the possible application of marijuana research in animals
to clinical use.
Dr. Sophie Frangou, Head of the Section of Neurobiology
of Psychosis, and Sub-Dean at the Institute
of Psychiatry in London, England will deliver
a lecture titled: “The role of the Prefrontal
cortex in Bipolar Disorder: Evidence
from the Maudsley Bipolar Project”.
In addition to providing an overview of the structural
and functional neuroimaging studies in Bipolar disorder, Dr.
Frangou will discuss the specific role of the prefrontal cortex
in Bipolar Disorder, as well as consider the interaction of the
Prefrontal Cortex with other brain regions and its relevance
to Bipolar Disorder.
You may RSVP by contacting the IMHR central office at 722-6521 ext. 6551.
3 rd Annual Ivy Dunn Clinical Nursing
Research Day: Empowerment & Recovery
The 3rd Annual Ivy Dunn Clinical Nursing Research Day
will take place Thursday October 13, 2005 between
9:00am – 4:30pm in the Lady Grey Auditorium. Presenters
will include Theodore Stickley MA, RMN, Lecturer in
Mental Health, University of Nottingham, England, as well
as Daniel B. Fisher MD, PhD, Director of the National
Empowerment Centre, Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Earlier this year, Dr. Fisher participated in the IMHR’s 2005
Public Lecture series, where he delivered a very well received
talk on his own experiences with mental health, as
well as different models and conceptualizations of recovery.
4
This conference presents a challenge to the pessimism,
stigma and negative assumptions about those who live with
mental illness, through the exploration of evidence and alternative
approaches.
The target audience of this research day includes clinicians,
managers and researchers. Conference objectives include recovery
& improving clinical practice, building trust and instilling
hope, and exploring the current evidence for recovery
and possibilities for social inclusion.
Program Evaluation and Research
Educational & Consultation Series Continues ...
Part II of the ROHCG/IMHR educational and consultation series offered through the Center for Research on Community Services
at the University of Ottawa is now in full swing. This program provides consultation on basic and advanced concepts related
to Program Evaluation to practitioners and program evaluators at the ROHCG. The format is interactive with Professor
Bob Flynn introducing the topic of the day followed by a discussion of participants’ questions related to their practice or research.
Past sessions include:
August 23, 2005 – “Introduction to Part II”
September 6, 2005 - “Posing good evaluation questions and setting priorities.”
September 20, 2005 – “Needs assessment: purpose and types.”
Please go to www.imhr.ca to view the schedule or this important and informative series

IN THE NEWS . . .
La Région, samedi 9 juillet 2005
L'U. d'O. devient un centre de recherches sur la schizophrénie
Bélanger, Mathieu
Ottawa pourrait bientôt être le théâtre d'avancées importantes dans la recherche en schizophrénie. L'Institut de recherche en
santé mentale de l'Université d'Ottawa a récemment recruté un éminent chercheur de l'Université de Paris, le Dr Patrice
Boyer, qui étudiera les déficiences de la mémoire associées à la schizophrénie. Il est basé à l'Hôpital Royal Ottawa depuis maintenant
10 mois. Ses travaux pourraient laisser entrevoir des jours meilleurs à environ 5000 personnes schizophrènes de la région,
en développant des techniques de réhabilitation et de nouveaux médicaments permettant de mieux organiser la mémoire
et ainsi permettre aux schizophrènes de mieux identifier la réalité. D'autres patients du pays et de partout dans le monde
pourront aussi, à terme, bénéficier des découvertes du Dr Boyer. "Nous travaillons essentiellement sur les troubles d'organisation
de la mémoire chez les personnes schizophrènes, explique le Dr Boyer. Nous tenterons de découvrir en quoi la perturbation
de la mémoire peut venir altérer la réalité de ces gens."
Actuellement, les recherches indiquent que les troubles d'organisation de la mémoire débutent très tôt dans l'évolution de la
maladie. Les premiers signes surviennent souvent pendant la petite enfance, précise le Dr Boyer. À la longue, cette mauvaise
organisation du cerveau empêche les schizophrènes d'accomplir des petites choses de la vie courante et complique les relations
sociales de ces derniers.
Dr Boyer devra concentrer ses efforts sur l'hippocampe, la zone du cerveau essentielle à la mémoire et l'apprentissage, située à
moitié dans l'hémisphère droit, et à moitié dans le gauche. C'est dans l'hippocampe que se déroule la phase d'enregistrement
de la mémoire: un souvenir, une odeur, un visage, le chemin de l'école, doit être enregistré avant d'être stocké dans le
cerveau. "Nous allons tenter d'activer l'hippocampe en faisant accomplir au sujet des tâches simples dans un espace virtuel,
affirme le chercheur. À l'aide d'imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) nucléaire, nous pourrons analyser l'hippocampe et
voir comment le stimuler." Pour arriver à ses fins, le Dr Boyer estime que cinq années seront nécessaires. Il a déjà reçu un
financement du Fonds de relève de la Fondation canadienne pour l'innovation.
Catégorie : ActualitésTaille : Court, 253 mots© 2005 Le Droit. Tous droits réservés. Doc.: news·20050709·LT·0044Ce
matériel est protégé par les droits d'auteur. Tous droits réservés.©
IMHR Hits the Airwaves
Dr. Owen Kelly will be interviewed on Soundmind, Ontario's
only radio show on mental health issues, recognizing,
treating and coping with mental health problems, and community
resources, on Wednesday October 5 th from 9:30am
to 10:00am on CKCU (93.1 FM). Dr. Kelly will be discussing
some of his on-going research projects, as well as fielding
questions related to issues in mental-health. Soundmind is
written and produced by volunteers who have a personal
experience of mental health.
Listeners can tune into Soundmind via the internet at
http://ckcu.magma.ca/ckcu.ram. Listeners must have Real
Player installed on their computer.
IMHR Research Lectures Continue
On September 12th, Dr. Eduard Vieta,
Director of the Bipolar Disorders Program
at the Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona
in Spain, delivered a lecture titled:
"Bipolar Disorder: From Neurobiology
to Therapy". The lecture touched
upon numerous topics including the biologic
basis of atypical antipsychotics as mood stabilizers, as
well as the role of atypical antipsychotics in patients with
bipolar mania. Finally, Dr. Vieta assessed what place atypical
antipsychotics have in the overall pharmacopoeia in bipolar
disorder.
2

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES & DEADLINES
A reminder that anyone wanting to improve their chances of
having a successful review of their grant/funding application
is invited to submit their protocol for review to the scientific
review committee. Interested applicants must allow 3-4
weeks for the review to be completed. Please submit 6 copies
of their proposal to the attention of Dr. Keith Busby,
Research Ethics Coordinator, in room 2055C of the Lady
Grey Building if you are interested in this service.
Registration of Randomized Controlled Trials
A reminder that CIHR is registering all RCTs that it funds
with the ISRCTN-Current Controlled Trials registry
(ISRCTN-CCT) at http://www.controlled-trials.com/
isrctn1. CIHR advises all CIHR funded principal investigators
to also register their ongoing randomized controlled
trials, RCTs, with the http://www.clinicaltrials.gov registry.
Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)
Advancing the Science to Reduce Tobacco Abuse
and Nicotine Addiction Initiative: Awarded as a onetime
grant of up to $50,000.
Application deadline is October 1, 2005.
Mental Health in the Workplace: Delivering Evidence
for Action: Valued at up to $300,000 per year, for
5 years. Letter of Intent deadline is November 1, 2005.
Full applications due July 1, 2006.
Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation (CPSRF)
CPRF Awards: valued at up to $40,000 per year for 2
years. Application deadline is November 14, 2005
Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders and Addictions
Program: Valued at up to $100,000 per year for 2
ears. Deadline for Letter of Intent Deadline is November
14, 2005; Full Applications Deadline is January 31, 2006.
The Brain Brief
http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/27129.html
Addiction Research Award: valued at $50,000. Application
Deadline is November 14, 2005.
Ontario Mental Health Foundation (OMHF)
Research Project Grants are due September 30 th , 2005.
Fellowships and Studentships are due November 10 th ,
2005.
National Alliance for Research of Schizophrenia
and Depression
Staglin Family Music Festival NARSAD Schizophrenia
Research Award: Valued at $250,000 for 3 years.
The application deadline is December 2, 2005.
Canadian Health Services Research Foundation
(CHSRF)
Research, Exchange, and Impact for System Support
(REISS) Competition Deadline for submission of
letters of intent is November 16, 2005.
The Physician’s Services Incorporated (PSI) Foundation
The deadline for applications is November 17, 2005.
National Institutes of Mental Health Research
(NIMH)
Neurodevelopment and Neuroendocrine Signaling
in Adolescence: Relevance to Mental Health: Deadline
for submission is February 1, 2006. Value of the award
will vary.
Collaborative Neurological Sciences (CNS) Award:
Valued at $200,000 per year, for 5 years. Deadline for submission
is February 1, 2006
Comments &
suggestions
The University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research
(IMHR) welcomes any suggestions as to how to make
our newsletter better and more informative to you, the
reader. To submit suggestions, please contact:
Dr. Owen Kelly
Phone: 613.722.6521 ext. 6727
Email: okelly@rohcg.on.ca
5