Professor John McGrath
Professor

John McGrath

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 3271 8694

Background

John McGrath AM, MBBS, MD, PhD, FRANZCP, FAHMS

John McGrath is a psychiatrist interested in discovering the causes of serious mental disorders. He is the Director of the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research and conjoint Professor at the Queensland Brain Institute His research aims to generate and evaluate nongenetic risk factors for schizophrenia. He has forged productive cross-disciplinary collaborations linking risk factor epidemiology with developmental neurobiology. For example, John and his colleagues have made discoveries linking prenatal vitamin D and later risk of mental illness in the offspring. In addition, John has supervised major systematic reviews of the epidemiology of schizophrenia. He was awarded a John Cade Fellowship by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. In 2016 he was also awarded a Neils Bohr Professorship by the Danish National Research Foundation.

Availability

Professor John McGrath is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Clinical sciences Health Sciences Neurosciences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Medical Science, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

Research interests

  • The association between vitamin D status and brain outcomes

    In collaboration with Darryl Eyles, we are measuring early life vitamin D status and exploring if this changes the risk of later developing serious mental illness. These studies are in collaboration with colleagues in Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands.

  • The demographic and clinical correlates of psychotic-like experiences

    Using two large surveys conducted in Australia in 1997 and 2007, our group have undertaken a suite of studies designed to understand the clinical relevance of isolated psychotic-like experiences. Over recent years we have published many papers on this topic, and have made important contributions with respect to how psychotic-like experiences are associated with (a) an increased risk of later psychotic disorders (based on the MUSP study), (b) depression, anxiety and substance use disorders, (c) a family history of mental illness, (d) exposure to trauma, (e) an increased risk of suicidal ideation and behaviour, (f) general physical health, and (g) help-seeking.

  • The Survey of High Impact Psychosis (SHIP)

    Our group was one of seven sites involved in the design and administration of the second Australian Survey of psychotic disorders. In collaboration with a large national team, we continue to explore key issues related to the needs of people with psychosis in Australia.

Research impacts

The Epidemiology team are interested in the frequency measures related to serious mental disorders (e.g. incidence, prevalence, mortality, recovery/remission). We are also interested in the clinical and demographic correlates of adverse mental health outcomes – some of these may be modifiable risk factors and thus important from a public health perspective. We use large, community-based surveys, and birth cohorts. Our focus has been on psychotic disorders and psychotic-like experiences in the general population. In addition, we are examining the links between early life vitamin D status and risk of later mental illness, by directly measuring vitamin D (in collaboration with Darryl Eyles and many international collaborators).

Search Professor John McGrath’s works on UQ eSpace

899 works between 1982 and 2025
All (899) Journal Article (672) Book Chapter (22) Conference Publication (196) Book (1) Other Outputs (8)

321 - 340 of 899 works

2016

Journal Article

Mental disorders among college students in the World Health Organization world mental health surveys

Auerbach, R. P., Alonso, J., Axinn, W. G., Cuijpers, P., Ebert, D. D., Green, J. G., Hwang, I., Kessler, R. C., Liu, H., Mortier, P., Nock, M. K., Pinder-Amaker, S., Sampson, N. A., Aguilar-Gaxiola, S., Al-Hamzawi, A., Andrade, L. H., Benjet, C., Caldas-de-Almeida, J. M., Demyttenaere, K., Florescu, S., de Girolamo, G., Gureje, O., Haro, J. M., Karam, E. G., Kiejna, A., Kovess-Masfety, V., Lee, S., McGrath, J. J., O'Neill, S. ... Bruffaerts, R. (2016). Mental disorders among college students in the World Health Organization world mental health surveys. Psychological Medicine, 46 (14), 1-16. doi: 10.1017/S0033291716001665

Mental disorders among college students in the World Health Organization world mental health surveys

2016

Journal Article

Correlates of physical activity in people living with psychotic illness

Suetani, S., Waterreus, A., Morgan, V., Foley, D. L., Galletly, C., Badcock, J. C., Watts, G., McKinnon, A., Castle, D., Saha, S., Scott, J. G. and McGrath, J. J. (2016). Correlates of physical activity in people living with psychotic illness. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 134 (2), 129-137. doi: 10.1111/acps.12594

Correlates of physical activity in people living with psychotic illness

2016

Journal Article

The strange case of smoking and schizophrenia-the epidemiology detectives are on the trail

Laursen, Thomas Munk and McGrath, John J. (2016). The strange case of smoking and schizophrenia-the epidemiology detectives are on the trail. American Journal of Psychiatry, 173 (8), 757-758. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.16050506

The strange case of smoking and schizophrenia-the epidemiology detectives are on the trail

2016

Journal Article

Frequent peer problems in Australian children and adolescents

Denham, Renee, McGee, Tara Renae, Eriksson, Li, McGrath, John, Norman, Rosana, Sawyer, Michael and Scott, James (2016). Frequent peer problems in Australian children and adolescents. Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, 8 (3), 162-173. doi: 10.1108/JACPR-11-2015-0196

Frequent peer problems in Australian children and adolescents

2016

Journal Article

Age of onset and lifetime projected risk of psychotic experiences: cross-national data from the World Mental Health survey

McGrath, John J., Saha, Sukanta, Al-Hamzawi, Ali O., Alonso, Jordi, Andrade, Laura, Borges, Guilherme, Brome, Evelyn J., Oakley Browne, Mark, Bruffaerts, Ronny, Caldas de Almeida, Jose M., Fayyad, John, Florescu, Silvia, de Girolamo, Giovanni, Gureje, Oye, Hu, Chiyi, de Jonge, Peter, Kovess-Masfety, Viviane, Lepine, Jean Pierre, Lim, Carmen C. W., Navarro-Mateu, Fernando, Piazza, Maria, Sampson, Nancy, Posada-Villa, José, Kendler, Kenneth S. and Kessler, Ronald C. (2016). Age of onset and lifetime projected risk of psychotic experiences: cross-national data from the World Mental Health survey. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 42 (4), 933-941. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbw011

Age of onset and lifetime projected risk of psychotic experiences: cross-national data from the World Mental Health survey

2016

Journal Article

Maternal vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy, fetal growth patterns, and risks of adverse birth outcomes

Miliku, Kozeta, Vinkhuyzen, Anna, Blanken, Laura M. E., McGrath, John J., Eyles, Darryl W., Burne, Thomas H., Hofman, Albert, Tiemeier, Henning, Steegers, Eric A. P., Gaillard, Romy and Jaddoe, Vincent W. V. (2016). Maternal vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy, fetal growth patterns, and risks of adverse birth outcomes. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 103 (6), 1514-1522. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.115.123752

Maternal vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy, fetal growth patterns, and risks of adverse birth outcomes

2016

Journal Article

A review of vulnerability and risks for schizophrenia: beyond the two hit hypothesis

Davis, Justin, Eyre, Harris, Jacka, Felice N., Dodd, Seetal, Dean, Olivia, McEwen, Sarah, Debnath, Monojit, McGrath, John, Maes, Michael, Amminger, Paul, McGorry, Patrick D., Pantelis, Christos and Berk,Michael (2016). A review of vulnerability and risks for schizophrenia: beyond the two hit hypothesis. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 65, 185-194. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.03.017

A review of vulnerability and risks for schizophrenia: beyond the two hit hypothesis

2016

Journal Article

No mental health without physical health – a call to arms

McGrath, J. J. (2016). No mental health without physical health – a call to arms. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 25 (3), 195-196. doi: 10.1017/S2045796015001055

No mental health without physical health – a call to arms

2016

Other Outputs

Challenges and options for estimating the prevalence of schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, and bipolar disorders in population surveys

McGrath, John J., Charlson, Fiona and Whiteford, Harvey A. (2016). Challenges and options for estimating the prevalence of schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, and bipolar disorders in population surveys. Washington, DC, United States: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Challenges and options for estimating the prevalence of schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, and bipolar disorders in population surveys

2016

Journal Article

Cognitive and clinical indicators of employment assistance needs from a national survey of individuals living with psychosis

Waghorn, Geoffrey, Hielscher, Emily, Saha, Sukanta and McGrath, John J. (2016). Cognitive and clinical indicators of employment assistance needs from a national survey of individuals living with psychosis. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 39 (2), 112-119. doi: 10.1037/prj0000185

Cognitive and clinical indicators of employment assistance needs from a national survey of individuals living with psychosis

2016

Journal Article

Allele-specific expression of mutated in colorectal cancer (MCC) gene and alternative susceptibility to colorectal cancer in schizophrenia

Wang, Yang, Cao, Yanfei, Huang, Xiaoye, Yu, Tao, Wei, Zhiyun, McGrath, John, Xu, Fei, Bi, Yan, Li, Xingwang, Yang, Fengping, Li, Weidong, Zou, Xia, Peng, Zhihai, Xiao, Yanzeng, Zhang, Yan, He, Lin and He, Guang (2016). Allele-specific expression of mutated in colorectal cancer (MCC) gene and alternative susceptibility to colorectal cancer in schizophrenia. Scientific Reports, 6 (5) 26688, 553-569. doi: 10.1038/srep26688

Allele-specific expression of mutated in colorectal cancer (MCC) gene and alternative susceptibility to colorectal cancer in schizophrenia

2016

Journal Article

Risk of psychiatric illness from advanced paternal age is not predominantly from de novo mutations

Gratten, Jacob, Wray, Naomi R., Peyrot, Wouter J., McGrath, John J., Visscher, Peter M. and Goddard, Michael E. (2016). Risk of psychiatric illness from advanced paternal age is not predominantly from de novo mutations. Nature Genetics, 48 (7), 718-+. doi: 10.1038/ng.3577

Risk of psychiatric illness from advanced paternal age is not predominantly from de novo mutations

2016

Journal Article

Associations of maternal and fetal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with childhood eczema: The Generation R Study

Gazibara, Tatjana, Elbert, Niels J., den Dekker, Herman T., de Jongste, Johan C., Reiss, Irwin, McGrath, John J., Eyles, Darryl W., Burne, Thomas H., Tiemeier, Henning, Jaddoe, Vincent W. V., Pasmans, Suzanne G. M. A. and Duijts, Liesbeth (2016). Associations of maternal and fetal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with childhood eczema: The Generation R Study. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 27 (3), 283-289. doi: 10.1111/pai.12530

Associations of maternal and fetal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with childhood eczema: The Generation R Study

2016

Journal Article

Evidence for genetic overlap between schizophrenia and age at first birth in women

Mehta, Divya, Tropf, Felix C., Gratten, Jacob, Bakshi, Andrew, Zhu, Zhihong, Bacanu, Silviu-Alin, Hemani, Gibran, Magnusson, Patrik K. E., Barban, Nicola, Esko, Tonu, Metspalu, Andres, Snieder, Harold, Mowry, Bryan J., Kendler, Kenneth S., Yang, Jian, Visscher, Peter M., McGrath, John J., Mills, Melinda C., Wray, Naomi R. and Lee, S. Hong (2016). Evidence for genetic overlap between schizophrenia and age at first birth in women. Jama Psychiatry, 73 (5), 497-505. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0129

Evidence for genetic overlap between schizophrenia and age at first birth in women

2016

Journal Article

Behavioural effects of adult Vitamin D deficiency in BALB/c mice are not associated with proliferation or survival of neurons in the adult hippocampus

Groves, Natalie J., Bradford, DanaKai, Sullivan, Robert K. P., Conn, Kyna-Anne, Aljelaify, Rasha Fahad, McGrath, John J. and Burne, Thomas H. J. (2016). Behavioural effects of adult Vitamin D deficiency in BALB/c mice are not associated with proliferation or survival of neurons in the adult hippocampus. PLoS ONE, 11 (4) e0152328, e0152328. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152328

Behavioural effects of adult Vitamin D deficiency in BALB/c mice are not associated with proliferation or survival of neurons in the adult hippocampus

2016

Journal Article

Associations of maternal and fetal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with childhood lung function and asthma: the Generation R Study

Gazibara, Tatjana, den Dekker, Herman T., de Jongste, Johan C., McGrath, John J., Eyles, Darryl W., Burne, Thomas H., Reiss, Irwin, Franco, Oscar H., Tiemeier, Henning, Jaddoe, Vincent W. V. and Duijts, Liesbeth (2016). Associations of maternal and fetal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with childhood lung function and asthma: the Generation R Study. Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 46 (2), 337-346. doi: 10.1111/cea.12645

Associations of maternal and fetal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with childhood lung function and asthma: the Generation R Study

2016

Journal Article

The impact of vitamin D deficiency on behaviour and brain function in rodents

Overeem, Kathie, Eyles, Darryl W., McGrath, John J. and Burne, Thomas H. J. (2016). The impact of vitamin D deficiency on behaviour and brain function in rodents. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 7, 47-52. doi: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2015.11.012

The impact of vitamin D deficiency on behaviour and brain function in rodents

2016

Conference Publication

Hallucinations in Adolescents and Risk for Mental Disorders in Adulthood: Prospective Evidence From the Musp Birth Cohort Study

Scott, J. G., Connell, M., Betts, K., Alati, R., Najman, J., Clavarino, A., Mamun, A. and McGrath, J. J. (2016). Hallucinations in Adolescents and Risk for Mental Disorders in Adulthood: Prospective Evidence From the Musp Birth Cohort Study. RANZCP 2016 Congress, Hong Kong, May 2016. LONDON: Sage Publications.

Hallucinations in Adolescents and Risk for Mental Disorders in Adulthood: Prospective Evidence From the Musp Birth Cohort Study

2016

Conference Publication

Hair cortisol and its Association with Symptoms of Depression, Neuroticism and Perceived Stress in Adolescent Twins

Rietschel, Liz, Streit, Fabian, Zhu, Gu, McAloney, Kerrie, Kirschbaum, Clemens, Hansell, Narelle K., Wright, Margie, McGrath, John J., Witt, Stephanie, Rietschel, Marcella and Martin, Nicholas G. (2016). Hair cortisol and its Association with Symptoms of Depression, Neuroticism and Perceived Stress in Adolescent Twins. IEPA 10th International Conference on Early Intervention in Mental Health – “Looking Back, Moving Forward”, Milan, Italy, 20th – 22nd October, 2016. Richmond, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/eip.12397

Hair cortisol and its Association with Symptoms of Depression, Neuroticism and Perceived Stress in Adolescent Twins

2016

Journal Article

Age at first tobacco use and risk of subsequent psychosis-related outcomes: A birth cohort study

McGrath, John J., Alati, Rosa, Clavarino, Alexandra, Williams, Gail M., Bor, William, Najman, Jake M., Connell, Melissa and Scott, James G. (2016). Age at first tobacco use and risk of subsequent psychosis-related outcomes: A birth cohort study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 50 (6), 577-583. doi: 10.1177/0004867415587341

Age at first tobacco use and risk of subsequent psychosis-related outcomes: A birth cohort study

Current funding

  • 2021 - 2027
    Mental Health Australia General Clinical Trial Network (MAGNET) (MRFF Million Minds Mental Health Research Grant Led by Deakin University)
    Deakin University
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2023
    CREDIT: The CRE for the Development of Innovative Therapies for Psychiatric Disorders (NHMRC CRE administered by Deakin University)
    NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Developmental Vitamin D-deficiency and Autism; exploration of potential mechanisms and refining phenotype in an animal model
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    A comparison study of three physical activity measurement tools examining acceptability in people with psychotic disorders
    Society for Mental Health Research Inc
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2022
    An Integrated Program of Psychiatric Epidemiology (IPPE)
    Aarhus University
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Voltage-gated calcium channels and vitamin D: investigating the convergent links between risk factors for schizophrenia
    RL Cooper Medical Research Foundation Limited
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    The efficacy of adjunctive Garcinia mangostana Linn (mangosteen) pericarp for the treatment of Schizophrenia: A double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial (SMRI grant admin. by Deakin Uni)
    Deakin University
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    World Mental Health Survey
    University of Otago
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    An empirical framework for assessing mortality and morbidity in people with psychotic disorders (NHMRC Project Grant administered by the University of Western Australia)
    University of Western Australia
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Voltage gated calcium channels and vitamin D: exploring the convergent links between risk factors for schizophrenia
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A sensitive, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer with nanoUPLC system for qualitative and quantitative biomolecule analysis.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Does adult vitamin D deficiency increase vulnerability to social stress resulting in altered brain function?
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Early life vitamin D levels and risk of autism spectrum disorders (NIH grant administered by Drexel University)
    Drexel University
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Is developmental vitamin D deficiency associated with autism-related phenotypes: a birth cohort study
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Vitamin D in first episode psychosis - neuroprotective design (D-FEND)
    Stanley Medical Research Institute
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2018
    NHMRC John Cade Fellowship in Mental Health: Modifiable risk factors for Serious Mental Illness - an integrated program of epidemiology, genetics and clinical trials
    NHMRC Targeted Research
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Early pharmacological intervention in an animal model of schizophrenia
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Exploring modifiable candidate risk factors for mental illness in young adults: Infection, vitamin D and stress (NHMRC Project Grant administered by QIMR)
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    The outcomes of adolescents and young adults who experience hallucinations: A birth cohort study
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2024
    Developmental Neurobiology of Vitamin D Deficiency Program Funding
    West Moreton Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Developmental Neurobiology Programme Funding
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Developmental vitamin D deficiency and prefrontal cortical dysfunction
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Advanced behavioural facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Attentional processing in developmentally vitamin D deficient rats: Modelling the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Neonatal vitamin D status and risk of schizophrenia: a replication in two independent samples
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Advanced paternal age: behavioural, neuroanatomical and genomic correlates in the offspring of older fathers
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Physiological and neurochemical mechanisms of executive control
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Facility for analysing behaviour, learning and motor skills in animal models
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2007
    Is adult neurogenesis in schizophrenia altered? A pilot study using 14C dating of post-mortem neuronal DNA
    Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Neonatal vitamin D status and risk of schizophrenia: a study using Danish dried bloods spots
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    The Developmental vitamin D model (DVD) as an animal model for schizophrenia
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2012
    QCMHR Operational (Developmental Neurobiology Programme Funding)
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2008
    Epidemiology Research Project
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    Linking clinical and basic research in order to understand the causes of schizophrenia: a collaborative network to study animal models of schizophrenia
    Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia Allied Disorders Ltd.
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Developmental neurobiology
    Queensland Centre for Schizophrenia Research
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    Structural And Diffusion Tensor Neuroimaging In Twins Concordant And Discordant For Psychosis
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2010
    QCMHR Operational (Developmental Neuroscience Laboratory Support)
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2006
    An integrated research program examining risk factors for psychoses
    Stanley Foundation Research Awards Program
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Evoked Response Potential (ERP) and Behavioural Correlates of Working Memory in Psychoses
    Mayne Bequest Fund
    Open grant
  • 1998
    The assessment of functioning in families with a parent who has serious mental illness
    Australian Rotary Health Research Fund
    Open grant
  • 1998
    The assessment of motor and executive skills in infants at high risk for psychoses: a pilot study
    Ross U.C.V. Bequest
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 2013
    QCMHR Operational (Collaborative Research Projects Support)
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1997
    Impact of clozapine
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1997
    Impact of clozapine
    Wolston Park Hospital
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1998
    Promoting positive outcomes for parents with serious mental illness
    Queensland Health Health Promotion
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1999
    A survey of the needs of parents with serious psychiatric disorders
    Department Health & Family Services - RADGAC
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1997
    The associations between working memory and the symptoms of schizophrenia
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant

Availability

Professor John McGrath is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor John McGrath directly for media enquiries about:

  • Brain development
  • Neuroscience
  • Schizophrenia

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