WELCOME TO THE NEUROPSYCHIATRY BRANCH (NPB)
Division of Intramural Research (DIRP)-National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)-National Institutes of Health (NIH)-Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Since the death of Dr. Richard Wyatt, Chief of the Neuropsychiatry Branch in June 2002, the flagship project of the NPB--the National Collaborative Study of Early Psychosis and Suicide (NCSEPS)--has been administered by Kathleen Merikangas, Ph.D., Chief, Section on Developmental Genetic Epidemiology, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program (SDGE,MAP, NIMH, NIH, DHHS)
The National Collaborative Study of Early Psychosis and Suicide (NCSEPS) was founded by Richard Jed Wyatt, M.D., Chief of the Neuropsychiatry Branch, NIMH, NIH. Since his death in June 2002, the NCSEPS has been administered by Kathleen Merikangas, PhD, Chief, Section on Developmental Genetic Epidemiology, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, NIMH-NIH.
NCSEPS is an ongoing collaborative effort conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in conjunction with the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The goal of NCSEPS is to assess incidence rates and associated demographic variables in active duty Armed Forces personnel, as well as eventually test the potential benefits of early intervention in psychotic illnesses, specifically schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and non-bipolar major affective disorder.
During the last few years, increasing evidence has suggested that early intervention in schizophrenia improves its long-term outcome. Because of some similarities with bipolar illness, there is reason to believe that early intervention in that illness might also decrease long-term morbidity. Also, because both illnesses are associated with a high risk of suicide, particularly early in their course, it is possible that early intervention might attenuate that risk as well.
The Armed Forces provide an excellent opportunity to study the potential benefits of early intervention in the major psychoses. Historically, a number of articles published over the course of this century indicate that a high percentage of individuals who become psychotic while in the military do so early in the course of their military career. This is particularly intriguing because it suggests that the onset of psychosis is highest during periods that demand the greatest social adaptation, with its accompanying psychological and emotional stress. For active duty Armed Forces personnel who are not directly involved in front-line military conflicts, the earliest period of service (eg, basic training) is likely to require the greatest level of social adaptation. Furthermore, there are a number of potential advantages to carrying out such a project within the DoD. For instance, the highest risk period for developing schizophrenia and bipolar disorder occurs in the age range when most individuals enter the Armed Forces; the relatively controlled environment individuals are subjected to in the Armed Forces provides an almost unique opportunity to provide help; and studying servicemen and servicewomen provides the potential to follow-up those individuals who develop an illness through the VA.
In addition to NIMH, DoD, and VA staff, the NCSEPS Executive Advisory Board participates in the NCSEPS project. Board members have diverse research and professional interests. They meet twice a year to propose new research avenues and discuss project results. The NCSEPS Executive Advisory Board members are:
Lt. Col. Joseph Chozinski, M.D. -- Psychiatry Consultant to the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General; Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Deputy Squadron Commander with the Neurobehavioral Science Squadron at Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC).
Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD -- Professor of Psychiatry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Larry Lehman, MD -- Associate Chief Consultant for Psychiatry, Veterans Administration. Coordinator of PTSD Programs for the Mental Health Strategic Healthcare Group.
Jeff Lieberman, MD -- Vice Chairman, Department of Psychiatry and Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
Col. David Orman, M.D. -- Chief Psychiatric Consultant to the Army Surgeon General; Behavioral health policy officer for the U.S. Army Medical Command; Associate Professor of Psychiatry for Texas A& M University Health Science Center School of Medicine.
Harold Sackeim, PhD -- Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry and Radiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University.
Ezra Susser, MD, Dr PH -- Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University; Director, Division of Epidemiology and Community Psychiatry at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Director, Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine
Other NCSEPS Staff include:
John Bartko, PhD -- Statistician, NCSEPS
Tim Barton, B.S. -- Data Analyst, NCSEPS
Ioline D. Henter, MA -- Director of Publications and Communications, NCSEPS
Ramin Mojtabai, MD, PhD -- Guest researcher, NCSEPS
Elizabeth Sherman-Elvy, PhD -- Writer/Editor, NCSEPS
For more information about the NCSEPS project, please contact us:
National Collaborative Study of Early Psychosis and Suicide (NCSEPS)
Attn: Ioline Henter, M.A.
Building 15K, Room 211
15 North Drive
MSC 2670
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2670
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