Overview
Background
Gerard Byrne is the Mayne Professor and Head of the Academy of Psychiatry within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Queensland and Director of the Older Persons' Mental Health Service at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. His primary research interests include Alzheimer's disease (particularly the neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with AD), and personality, anxiety and depression in older people. Recent published work has included papers on generalised anxiety disorder in older people, dementia and delirium in the general hospital setting, and the role of lifestyle factors in predicting cognitive trajectory in middle age and later life.
Biography:
Gerard completed his medical degree and an intercalated science degree in Sydney at the University of New South Wales and the Prince of Wales and Prince Henry Hospitals. Following an internship at the Royal Newcastle Hospital, he undertook two further years of general medical training at The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane. He subsequently completed his five years of psychiatry training at The Prince Charles and Wolston Park Hospitals. His PhD in psychiatric epidemiology was undertaken at the University of Queensland under the supervision of Beverley Raphael AM. He has been Head of the UQ Discipline (now Academy) of Psychiatry since 2001 and Director of Geriatric Psychiatry (now the Older Persons' Mental Health Service) at the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital since 1995.
He a member of the Repatriation Medical Authority and chairs the Research Advisory Committee of the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital. He is a member of the advisory board of the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research at the Queensland Brain Institute. He is a former member of the board of directors of the International Psychogeriatric Association.
He is a past chairman of the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age (FPOA) of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and a former member of the RANZCP General Council. He is a former chair of the RANZCP Sub-committee for Advanced Training in Psychiatry of Old Age and member of the RANZCP Committee for Training. He is a member of the RANZCP Foundation Committee and a member of the Queensland Brain Bank Scientific Advisory Committee.
Gerard also serves as a member of NHMRC GRPs and reviews research grant applications for NHMRC, ARC, Hong Kong MRC, New Zealand RC, Netherlands Organisation for Health Research & Development (ZonMw), U.S. Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Australia Research Fund, and Pfizer Neuroscience Research Grants, amongst others.
He is a member of the editorial board of the journal, Clinical Gerontologist.
He reviews manuscripts for Molecular Psychiatry, British Journal of Psychiatry, Biological Psychiatry, Brain and Cognition, Journal of Affective Disorders, Journal of the American Geriatrics Association (JAGS), Journal of Psychiatric Research, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Age and Ageing, Aging and Mental Health, American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Australasian Journal on Ageing, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, BMC Psychiatry, Depression and Anxiety, International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and International Psychogeriatrics, amongst others.
In 2012 he won the Senior Research Award of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
In 2013 he delivered the Bostock Oration of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
In 2016 he was awarded a Meritorious Service Award by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
Availability
- Professor Gerard Byrne is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Research interests
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Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease
This project has been funded by the Alzheimer's Association (U.S.) and is being conducted in collaboration with Dr Rudi Tannenberg and A/Prof Peter Dodd in Dr Dodd's laboratory in the School of Microbial and Molecular Sciences.
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Anxiety & Depression During Cognitive Ageing
This 3-year NHMRC-funded study will look at the emergence of syndromal and sub-syndromal anxiety and depression in a cohort of 511 women from the LAW Study being conducted at the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital. For further information on this study contact Liz Arnold on 07 3365 5147.
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Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease
Data collection has commenced on a prospective study of predictors of incident neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with late-onset Alzheimer disease. This research project will run for about five or six years - two to three years to recruit the participants and 30 months to complete the longitudinal data collection on each participant. This work is being funded by a generous bequest via the RBWH Research Foundation. For further information on this project, please contact <b> Liz Arnold </b>on (07) 3365 5147.
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International collaborations using interRAI
We are engaged in clinical validation of the interRAI instrument for cross-national data collection in older person's mental health services. For further information please contact Gerard Byrne on 07 3365 5148.
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Clinical Drug Trials for Alzheimer's disease
We are currently involved in several clinical pharmaceutical trials of new drugs or new formulations of existing drugs for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. For further information on these projects, please contact <b>Liz Arnold</b> on 3365 5147.
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Measurement of Anxiety in Older People
This program of collaborative research with Dr Nancy Pachana (School of Psychology) has been underway for about 12 months. The aim of this program is to develop a novel measure of generalised anxiety for use in older people. No such measure currently exists. We plan to use factor analysis and discriminant function analysis to shrink the current draft 60 item scale to 20 or 30 items for everyday use. We will then publish the scale in the public domain. Subsequently, we will use the scale to investigate genetic and other predictors of generalised anxiety in older people. Ultimately, we hope to be able to use the scale as an outcome measure for treatment trials in older people. We anticipate that this research program will continue for 5-10 years.
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Development of Cogni-Screen: A Diagnostic System for Dementia
In a collaborative project with Prof Mike Humphreys (Key Centre for Human Factors & Applied Cognitive Psychology), Dr Nancy Pachana (School of Psychology) & Prof Chris Del Mar (Griffith University) we are developing a computerised diagnostic system for dementia. This system involves a web-based real-time system using speech recognition software. The project has been funded by grants from the NHMRC and the Telstra Broadband Development Fund.
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Depression in Stroke Patients
Data collection for this three-year project on the value of clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of major depression in stroke patients is almost completed. This Queensland Health funded project involved the development and implementation of clinical guidelines within the RBWH Stroke Service. To measure the clinical utility of these guidelines, two cohorts of 100 stroke patients have been enrolled: one prior to the development of the guidelines and one following their introduction.
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Personality and Depression following Stroke
Research impacts
Prof Gerard Byrne and Prof Nancy Pachana have been engaged in a longterm program of research into anxiety in later life. With the assistance of students and colleagues, they have developed a suite of instruments to measure anxiety in older people. These instruments include the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI), the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory - Short Form (GAI-SF), the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory - Research (GAI-R), and the Informant Questionnaire for Anxiety in Dementia (IQAD). The GAI has now been translated into more than 20 languages and is in widespread use throughout the world. It is used in both clinical and research settings. It has also been used by the pharmaceutical industry in international multisite clinical trials. The availability of the GAI and associated measures has increased focus on the anxiety disorders in older people, which had previously been relatively neglected by clinicians and researchers alike.
Works
Search Professor Gerard Byrne’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Profiling people with Parkinson's disease at risk of cognitive decline: Insights from PPMI and ICICLE‐PD data
Pourzinal, Dana, Lawson, Rachael A., Yarnall, Alison J., Williams‐Gray, Caroline H., Barker, Roger A., Yang, Jihyun, McMahon, Katie L., O'Sullivan, John D., Byrne, Gerard J. and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2024). Profiling people with Parkinson's disease at risk of cognitive decline: Insights from PPMI and ICICLE‐PD data. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, 16 (3) e12625, e12625. doi: 10.1002/dad2.12625
2024
Journal Article
Patient outcome quality indicators for older persons in acute care: original development data using interRAI AC-CGA
Martin-Khan, Melinda G., Gray, Leonard C., Brand, Caroline, Wright, Olivia, Pachana, Nancy A., Byrne, Gerard J., Chatfield, Mark D., Jones, Richard, Morris, John, Travers, Catherine, Tropea, Joanne, Xiong, Beibei, Research Collaborative for Quality Care: Acute Care Panel and Research Collaborative for Quality Care: Dementia Care Panel (2024). Patient outcome quality indicators for older persons in acute care: original development data using interRAI AC-CGA. BMC Geriatrics, 24 (1) 527, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s12877-024-04980-9
2024
Conference Publication
Technology assisted and remotely delivered anxiety psychotherapy intervention for people living with dementia and their care partners: Tech-CBT project
Au, T., Beattie, E., Bennett, S., Brooks, D., Broome, A., Byrne, G., Chatfield, M., Comans, T., Dissanayaka, N., Guy, R., Keramat, S.A., King, T., Lehn, A., Liddle, J., Mitchell, L., Oram, J., O’Sullivan, J., Pacas Fronza, G., Pachana, N., Pietsch, A., Tan, J., Welsh, K. and Worthy, P. (2024). Technology assisted and remotely delivered anxiety psychotherapy intervention for people living with dementia and their care partners: Tech-CBT project. Australian Dementia Research Forum 2024, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 3-5 June 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Enhancing utility of neuropsychological evaluation for earlier and effective diagnosis of dementia in Parkinson’s disease: PDCogniCare project
Au, T., Bailey, D., Beattie, E., Brooks, D., Broome, A., Byrne, G., Chatfield, M., Dissanayaka, N., Keramat, S.A., Lehn, A., Liddle, J., Marsh, R., Mitchell, L., Naismith, S., Nestor, S., O’Sullivan, J., Pachana, N., Pourzinal, D., Robertson, S., Shrubsole, K., Sivakumaran, K., Spooner, D., Tinson, H., Verreynne, M.L., Worthy, P. and Yang, J. (2024). Enhancing utility of neuropsychological evaluation for earlier and effective diagnosis of dementia in Parkinson’s disease: PDCogniCare project. Australian Dementia Research Forum 2024, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 3-5 June 2024.
2024
Journal Article
Telehealth Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Reduce Anxiety in People Living with Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Feasibility Pilot Study
Pacas Fronza, Gabriela, Mitchell, Leander K., Pachana, Nancy A., Byrne, Gerard J., Liddle, Jacki, Yang, Jihyun, Brooks, Deborah, Au, Tiffany, Pourzinal, Dana, Worthy, Peter, Comans, Tracy, Beattie, Elizabeth, Bennett, Sally, Russell, Trevor and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2024). Telehealth Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Reduce Anxiety in People Living with Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Feasibility Pilot Study. Clinical Gerontologist, 1-15. doi: 10.1080/07317115.2024.2336187
2024
Journal Article
Hippocampal resting‐state connectivity is associated with posterior‐cortical cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease
Pourzinal, Dana, Yang, Jihyun, McMahon, Katie L., Copland, David A., Mitchell, Leander, O'Sullivan, John D., Byrne, Gerard J. and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2024). Hippocampal resting‐state connectivity is associated with posterior‐cortical cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease. Brain and Behavior, 14 (3) e3454, e3454. doi: 10.1002/brb3.3454
2024
Journal Article
Prototype development of the Mental Health benchmarking Industry Tool for residential aged Care (MHICare Tool): a protocol paper of a two-stage sequential and mixed methods codesign study
Brimelow, Rachel, Brooks, Deborah, Sriram, Deepa, Burley, Claire, Beattie, Elizabeth, Byrne, Gerard and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka (2024). Prototype development of the Mental Health benchmarking Industry Tool for residential aged Care (MHICare Tool): a protocol paper of a two-stage sequential and mixed methods codesign study. BMJ Open, 14 (2) e078493, 1-7. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078493
2024
Journal Article
Feasibility and acceptability of a videoconferencing CBT intervention for anxiety in people with Parkinson’s Disease
Roper, Amy, Brooks, Deborah, Mitchell, Leander K., Pachana, Nancy A., Au, Tiffany R., Byrne, Gerard J., O’Sullivan, John D. and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2024). Feasibility and acceptability of a videoconferencing CBT intervention for anxiety in people with Parkinson’s Disease. Clinical Gerontologist, 1-16. doi: 10.1080/07317115.2024.2306861
2024
Journal Article
Predictors of the placebo response in a nutraceutical randomized controlled trial for depression
Arnold, Rosemary, Murphy-Smith, Jenifer, Ng, Chee H., Mischoulon, David, Byrne, Gerard J., Bousman, Chad A., Stough, Con, Berk, Michael and Sarris, Jerome (2024). Predictors of the placebo response in a nutraceutical randomized controlled trial for depression. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 22 (1), 46-53. doi: 10.1016/j.joim.2024.01.007
2023
Journal Article
Effect of kava (Piper methysticum) on peripheral gene expression among individuals with generalized anxiety disorder: a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Cribb, Lachlan, Sarris, Jerome, Savage, Karen M., Byrne, Gerard J., Metri, Najwa-Joelle, Scholey, Andrew, Stough, Con and Bousman, Chad A. (2023). Effect of kava (Piper methysticum) on peripheral gene expression among individuals with generalized anxiety disorder: a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Phytotherapy Research, 37 (12), 5897-5903. doi: 10.1002/ptr.7999
2023
Journal Article
Levetiracetam for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease: a double-blind controlled proof-of-concept trial protocol
Dissanayaka, Nadeeka, Pourzinal, Dana, Byrne, Gerard J., Yang, Jihyun, McMahon, Katie L., Pontone, Gregory M., O'Sullivan, John D., Adam, Robert, Littleford, Roberta, Chatfield, Mark, Lehn, Alexander, Mari, Zoltan and Bakker, Arnold (2023). Levetiracetam for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease: a double-blind controlled proof-of-concept trial protocol. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 9 (1) 189, 189. doi: 10.1186/s40814-023-01406-y
2023
Journal Article
Longitudinal follow up of data‐driven cognitive subtypes in Parkinson's disease
Pourzinal, Dana, Yang, Jihyun, Sivakumaran, Kumareshan, McMahon, Katie L., Mitchell, Leander, O'Sullivan, John D., Byrne, Gerard J. and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2023). Longitudinal follow up of data‐driven cognitive subtypes in Parkinson's disease. Brain and Behavior, 13 (10) e3218, e3218. doi: 10.1002/brb3.3218
2023
Journal Article
Frequency of changed behaviours in residential aged care and common mitigation strategies – A retrospective review of behavioural report logs
Brimelow, Rachel, Beattie, Elizabeth, Byrne, Gerard and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka (2023). Frequency of changed behaviours in residential aged care and common mitigation strategies – A retrospective review of behavioural report logs. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 32 (15-16), 4771-4781. doi: 10.1111/jocn.16531
2023
Journal Article
Anxiety symptoms in Australian memory clinic attendees with cognitive impairment: differences between self-, carer-, and clinician-report measures
Pacas Fronza, Gabriela, Byrne, Gerard, Appadurai, Kana, Pachana, Nancy and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. W. (2023). Anxiety symptoms in Australian memory clinic attendees with cognitive impairment: differences between self-, carer-, and clinician-report measures. Clinical Gerontologist, 47 (2), 215-223. doi: 10.1080/07317115.2023.2231940
2023
Journal Article
A single-blind, parallel-group randomised trial of a technology-assisted and remotely delivered cognitive behavioural therapy intervention (Tech-CBT) versus usual care to reduce anxiety in people with mild cognitive impairment and dementia: study protocol for a randomised trial
Dissanayaka, Nadeeka, Brooks, Deborah, Worthy, Peter, Mitchell, Leander, Pachana, Nancy A., Byrne, Gerard, Keramat, Syed Afroz, Comans, Tracy, Bennett, Sally, Liddle, Jacki, Chatfield, Mark D., Broome, Annette, Oram, Joanne, Appadurai, Kanaganayagam, Beattie, Elizabeth, Au, Tiffany, King, Teagan, Welsh, Kimberley and Pietsch, Ann (2023). A single-blind, parallel-group randomised trial of a technology-assisted and remotely delivered cognitive behavioural therapy intervention (Tech-CBT) versus usual care to reduce anxiety in people with mild cognitive impairment and dementia: study protocol for a randomised trial. Trials, 24 (1) 420, 1-17. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07381-2
2023
Journal Article
Global assessment, cognitive profile, and characteristics of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease
Yang, Jihyun, Pourzinal, Dana, Byrne, Gerard J., McMahon, Katie L., Copland, David A., O’Sullivan, John D., Mitchell, Leander and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2023). Global assessment, cognitive profile, and characteristics of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 38 (6) e5955, e5955. doi: 10.1002/gps.5955
2023
Conference Publication
New technology assisted interventions to combat anxiety and depression in dementia
Dissanayaka, N.N., Pacas Fronza, G., Mitchell, L., Pachana, N., Worthy, P., Byrne, G., Keramat, S.A., Comans, T., Bennett, S., Liddle, J., Chatfield, M., Broome, A., Oram, J., Appadurai, K., Beattie, E., Welsh, K., King, T., Brimelow, R., Burley, C., Pietsch, A., Brooks, D. and Au, T. (2023). New technology assisted interventions to combat anxiety and depression in dementia. Australian Dementia Research Forum 2023, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 29-31 May 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Reduction of anxiety symptoms in people living with cognitive impairment after CBT-based telehealth psychotherapy: results from a pilot trial
Pacas Fronza, G., Mitchell, L., Pachana, N., Byrne, G., Liddle, J. and Dissanayaka, N. N. (2023). Reduction of anxiety symptoms in people living with cognitive impairment after CBT-based telehealth psychotherapy: results from a pilot trial. Australian Dementia Research Forum 2023, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 29 - 31 May 2023.
2023
Journal Article
Interventions for generalized anxiety disorder
Byrne, Gerard J. (2023). Interventions for generalized anxiety disorder. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 36 (2), 134-139. doi: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000840
2022
Journal Article
Psychopathology and eating behaviour in people with type 2 diabetes referred for bariatric surgery
Pekin, C., McHale, M., Seymour, M., Strodl, E., Hopkins, G., Mitchell, D. and Byrne, G. J. (2022). Psychopathology and eating behaviour in people with type 2 diabetes referred for bariatric surgery. Eating and Weight Disorders, 27 (8), 3627-3635. doi: 10.1007/s40519-022-01502-7
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Gerard Byrne is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Psychopathology in Bariatric Surgical Candidates with Type II Diabetes
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Delirium in hospital. Challenging times call for digital measures.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Worthy, Professor Juha Toyras, Associate Professor Nadeeka Dissanayaka
Completed supervision
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Chronic and treatment-resistant depression
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nancy Pachana
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Generalized anxiety disorder in older adults: Prevalence, associated factors, and treatment outcomes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nancy Pachana
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
THE IMPACT OF RESIDENTIAL RESPITE CARE ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF OLDER PEOPLE
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Development and feasibility evaluation of a psychotherapy intervention for anxiety in persons living with cognitive impairment delivered via videoconferencing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jacki Liddle, Dr Leander Mitchell, Associate Professor Nadeeka Dissanayaka
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Cognitive subtypes in Parkinson's disease: exploring phenotypes, neuroimaging targets, and therapeutics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor John O'Sullivan, Dr Ji Hyun Julia Yang, Associate Professor Nadeeka Dissanayaka
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Towards Better Mental Health Care: Management of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms within Residential Aged Care Facilities
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nadeeka Dissanayaka
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Markers and Mechanisms of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Copland, Associate Professor Nadeeka Dissanayaka
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Cytokines and Inflammatory Markers in Depression in Adolescents
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Scott, Professor Nick Martin, Professor Naomi Wray
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Conceptualizing Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Later Life
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nancy Pachana
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Neuronal activity in the pedunculopontine nucleus and globus pallidus in patients with movement disorders
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Pankaj Sah
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Resistance to psychoanalytic treatment among patients with psychosomatic disorders
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Mr Tom O'Brien
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Health and lifestyle factors in predicting cognitive trajectory in ageing women
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nancy Pachana, Professor Graham Galloway
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Herbal and complementary medicine in the treatment of depression and anxiety
Associate Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
AN INVESTIGATION OF ORGANIC FACTORS IN THE NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING OF PATIENTS WITH BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Gerard Byrne directly for media enquiries about:
- Ageing and psychiatry
- Alzheimer's disease
- Anxiety disorders
- Behavioural problems in the elderly
- Bereavement - and psychiatry
- Dementia
- Depression
- Elderly - psychiatry
- Geriatric psychiatry
- Health - mental
- Mental health
- Nursing homes - and psychiatry
- Older people and psychiatry
- Psychiatry
- Psychosis
- Quality of life and mental health
- Senior citizens and psychiatry
- Vascular dementia
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