Researchers to examine onset of schizophrenia

Monday 28 August

Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS) has committed $300,000 to the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) for a three year study to investigate the factors that lead to the onset of schizophrenia.

As the PWCS research fellow, Linda Campbell from the University of Newcastle's Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research (a member of HMRI's Brain and Mental Health program), will study 40 people aged between 12 and 20 and 20 of their siblings who have a common genetic disorder, Velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS)*.

Ms Campbell said people with VCFS have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. The syndrome affects 1 in 5,000 children and is one of the most common genetic disorders.

"With the support of Port Waratah Coal Services we aim to identify predictors of who is likely to develop schizophrenia in adolescents with this syndrome," Ms Campbell said.

"By investigating how schizophrenia develops in people with VCFS it will also inform us about schizophrenia in the general population."

HMRI researchers and Port Waratah Coal Services hope that the study will improve the quality of life of people with schizophrenia by assisting in early diagnosis. Schizophrenia affects 1 in 100 Australians and is the biggest cause of permanent disability for young people in Australia.

"The earlier problems are identified the better, as people can be referred to treatment which improves their quality of life and reduces their level of disability," Ms Campbell said.

Port Waratah Coal Services General Manager Graham Davidson said that the company is proud to support world class local research that is happening in our region.

This is the second research fellowship funded by Port Waratah Coal Services. The first research fellowship was in Respiratory Medicine.

Media opportunity - Launch of the PWCS Fellowship
When: Monday 28th August 2006
Time: 10.30am
Who: Linda Campbell (HMRI and University of Newcastle researcher), Graham Davidson (PWCS General Manager) and a parent of a child with VCFS syndrome will be available for interview
Where: Monet's Café, James Fletcher Hospital (Meet HMRI representative at the Watt Street entrance. Parking is also available via this entrance.)

*VCRF is also known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome