Endophenotypes in Mental Illness: A National Workshop

A national mental health research and clinical practice workshop under the auspices of
Brain & Mind, Australia and the Mental Health Council of Australia

Date: Thursday 20th May
Venue: Medical School (Anderson Stuart Building), University of Sydney

Chaired by Maxwell Bennett AO

Program Time

Program Item

Speaker

9.00am

1. Endophenotype approaches to mental illness: schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, substance abuse, anxiety.

1.1 Overview of the concept and value of pursuing endophenotypes

Assen Jablensky

1.2 Rationale and criteria for the endophenotype in psychiatric genetics.

Peter Schofield

1.3 Wouldn't markers of illness stage rather than illness risk be more useful?

Pat McGorry

1.4 Summary: what is agreed and what is disputed?

Gavin Andrews

11.00am

Morning Tea

11.30am

2. Classes of endophenotypes: evidence for classes.

2.1 Neuroanatomical (including structural neuroimaging).

Gary Egan

2.2 Neurophysiological (including measures such as P50, MMN, smooth pursuit eye movements, antisaccades).

Pat Michie
Philip Ward

2.3 Neurocognitive (neuropsychology).

Pat Michie

2.4 Personality traits.

Nick Martin
Nathan Gillespie

2.5 Summary: what is agreed and what is disputed?

George Fink

1.30pm

Lunch

2.30pm

3. Methodological and statistical issues in endophenotype research.

3.1 Advantages and disadvantages of genetic linkage and association methods.

Nick Martin
Peter Schofield

3.2 What methodologies are disputed and why? What are the agreed on methodologies?

Tony Jorm

4. Concept of a 'core set' of standardized endophenotype measures.

4.1 Application in Australian psychosis-related research.

Vaughan Carr

4.00pm

Afternoon Tea

4.15pm

5. Endophenotypes and the practice of psychiatry

5.1 Clinical (diagnostic and treatment) implications
of endophenotype research

Philip Mitchell
Gin Mahli

5.2 Endophenotype - guided prevention and early interventions: are they feasible?

Ian Hickie

5.3 The phenotypic distinction of depressive conditions: clinical implications.

Gordon Parker

5.15pm

6. Summary of the days proceedings

Assen Jablensky