Professor John McGrath
Professor

John McGrath

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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

846 works between 1982 and 2025
All (846) Journal Article (630) Book Chapter (22) Conference Publication (191) Book (1) Other Outputs (2)

461 - 480 of 846 works

2011

Book Chapter

Environmental risk factors for schizophrenia

McGrath, John J. and Murray, Robin M. (2011). Environmental risk factors for schizophrenia. Schizophrenia. (pp. 226-244) edited by Daniel R. Weinberger and Paul J. Harrison. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1002/9781444327298.ch11

Environmental risk factors for schizophrenia

2011

Conference Publication

Developmental Vitamin D deficiency and risk of schizophrenia: a ten-year update

McGrath, John Joseph, Burne, T. H. and Eyles, D. W. (2011). Developmental Vitamin D deficiency and risk of schizophrenia: a ten-year update. 13th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research (ICOSR), Colorado Springs CO, United States, 2-6 April 2011. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbq173

Developmental Vitamin D deficiency and risk of schizophrenia: a ten-year update

2011

Book Chapter

The developmental vitamin D (DVD) model of schizophrenia

Eyles, Darryl, Burne, Thomas H.J., Alexander, Suzy, Cui, Xiaoying and McGrath, John J. (2011). The developmental vitamin D (DVD) model of schizophrenia. Animal Models of Schizophrenia and Related Disorders. (pp. 113-125) edited by Patricio O’Donnell and Wolfgang Walz. New York , NY, U.S.A.: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-157-4_5

The developmental vitamin D (DVD) model of schizophrenia

2011

Conference Publication

Modelling cognitive symptoms in the DVD-deficient rodent model of schizophrenia

Burne, Thomas H., Turner, K., Alexander, S., Eyles, D. W. and McGrath, J. (2011). Modelling cognitive symptoms in the DVD-deficient rodent model of schizophrenia. 13th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research (ICOSR), Colorado Springs CO, United States, 2-6 April 2011. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbq173

Modelling cognitive symptoms in the DVD-deficient rodent model of schizophrenia

2010

Journal Article

Maternal vitamin D deficiency alters the expression of genes involved in dopamine specification in the developing rat mesencephalon

Cui Xiaoying, Pelekanos, Matthew, Burne, Thomas H.J., McGrath, John J. and Eyles, Darryl W. (2010). Maternal vitamin D deficiency alters the expression of genes involved in dopamine specification in the developing rat mesencephalon. Neuroscience Letters, 486 (3), 220-223. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2010.09.057

Maternal vitamin D deficiency alters the expression of genes involved in dopamine specification in the developing rat mesencephalon

2010

Journal Article

Disease-specific, neurosphere-derived cells as models for brain disorders

Matigian, N, Abrahamsen, G, Sutharsan, R, Cook, AL, Vitale, AM, Nouwens, A, Bellette, B, An, JY, Anderson, M, Beckhouse, AG, Bennebroek, M, Cecil, R, Chalk, AM, Cochrane, J, Fan, YJ, Feron, F, McCurdy, R, McGrath, JJ, Murrell, W, Perry, C, Raju, J, Ravishankar, S, Silburn, PA, Sutherland, GT, Mahler, S, Mellick, GD, Wood, SA, Sue, CM, Wells, CA and Mackay-Sim, A (2010). Disease-specific, neurosphere-derived cells as models for brain disorders. Disease Models and Mechanisms, 3 (11-12), 785-798. doi: 10.1242/dmm.005447

Disease-specific, neurosphere-derived cells as models for brain disorders

2010

Journal Article

Developmental vitamin D deficiency and risk of schizophrenia: A 10-year update

McGrath, John J., Burne, Thomas H., Feron, Francois, Mackay-Sim, Allan and Eyles, Darryl W. (2010). Developmental vitamin D deficiency and risk of schizophrenia: A 10-year update. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 36 (6), 1073-1078. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbq101

Developmental vitamin D deficiency and risk of schizophrenia: A 10-year update

2010

Journal Article

Neonatal vitamin D status and risk of schizophrenia: A population-based case-control study

McGrath, John J., Eyles, Darryl W., Pedersen, Carsten B., Anderson, Cameron, Ko, Pauline, Burne, Thomas H., Norgaard-Pedersen, Bent, Hougaard, David M. and Mortensen, Preben B. (2010). Neonatal vitamin D status and risk of schizophrenia: A population-based case-control study. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67 (9), 889-894. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.110

Neonatal vitamin D status and risk of schizophrenia: A population-based case-control study

2010

Journal Article

Is it time to trial vitamin D supplements for the prevention of schizophrenia?

McGrath, John (2010). Is it time to trial vitamin D supplements for the prevention of schizophrenia?. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 121 (5), 321-324. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2010.01551.x

Is it time to trial vitamin D supplements for the prevention of schizophrenia?

2010

Journal Article

The utility of neonatal dried blood spots for the assessment of neonatal vitamin D status

Eyles, Darryl W., Morley, Ruth, Anderson, Cameron, Ko, Pauline, Burne, Thomas, Permezel, Michael, Mortensen, Preben B., Nørgaard-Pedersen, Bent, Hougaard, David M. and McGrath, John J. (2010). The utility of neonatal dried blood spots for the assessment of neonatal vitamin D status. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 24 (3), 303-308. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2010.01105.x

The utility of neonatal dried blood spots for the assessment of neonatal vitamin D status

2010

Journal Article

Association between cannabis use and psychosis-related outcomes using sibling pair analysis in a cohort of young adults

McGrath, John, Welham, Joy, Scott, James, Varghese, Daniel, Degenhardt, Louisa, Hayatbakhsh, Mohammad Reza, Alati, Rosa, Williams, Gail M., Bor, William and Najman, Jake M. (2010). Association between cannabis use and psychosis-related outcomes using sibling pair analysis in a cohort of young adults. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67 (5), 440-447. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.6

Association between cannabis use and psychosis-related outcomes using sibling pair analysis in a cohort of young adults

2010

Journal Article

As the twig is bent, the tree inclines adult mental health consequences of childhood adversity

Scott, J, Varghese, D and McGrath, J (2010). As the twig is bent, the tree inclines adult mental health consequences of childhood adversity. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67 (2), 111-112. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.188

As the twig is bent, the tree inclines adult mental health consequences of childhood adversity

2010

Journal Article

Advanced paternal age is associated with alterations in discrete behavioural domains and cortical neuroanatomy of C57BL/6J mice

Foldi, Claire J., Eyles, Darryl W., McGrath, John J. and Burne, Thomas H. J. (2010). Advanced paternal age is associated with alterations in discrete behavioural domains and cortical neuroanatomy of C57BL/6J mice. European Journal of Neuroscience, 31 (3), 556-564. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2010.07074.x

Advanced paternal age is associated with alterations in discrete behavioural domains and cortical neuroanatomy of C57BL/6J mice

2010

Journal Article

Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters dopamine-mediated behaviors and dopamine transporter function in adult female rats

Kesby, James P, Cui, Xiaoying, O'Loan, Jonathan, McGrath, John J, Burne, Thomas HJ and Eyles, Darryl W (2010). Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters dopamine-mediated behaviors and dopamine transporter function in adult female rats. Psychopharmacology, 208 (1), 159-168. doi: 10.1007/s00213-009-1717-y

Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters dopamine-mediated behaviors and dopamine transporter function in adult female rats

2010

Conference Publication

Developmental vitamin D deficiency (DVD) and brain dopamine ontogeny

Eyles, Darryl, Cui, Xiaoying, Pelekanos, Matt, Kesby, James, Burne, Tom and McGrath, John (2010). Developmental vitamin D deficiency (DVD) and brain dopamine ontogeny. 2nd Schizophrenia International Research Society Conference, Florence, Italy, 10-14 April 2010. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2010.02.195

Developmental vitamin D deficiency (DVD) and brain dopamine ontogeny

2010

Conference Publication

The influence of maternal sensitivity, parental relationship and childhood sexual abuse on adult delusional-like experiences: A birth cohort study

Scott, JG, McGrath, JJ and Najman, JM (2010). The influence of maternal sensitivity, parental relationship and childhood sexual abuse on adult delusional-like experiences: A birth cohort study. 2nd Biennial Schizophrenia International Research Conference, Florence, Italy, 10-14 April 2010. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2010.02.792

The influence of maternal sensitivity, parental relationship and childhood sexual abuse on adult delusional-like experiences: A birth cohort study

2010

Conference Publication

Cannabis: A Clue or a Distraction in the Search for 'Causes' of Psychosis?

McGrath, John and Degenhardt, Louisa (2010). Cannabis: A Clue or a Distraction in the Search for 'Causes' of Psychosis?. 6th Symposium on the Search for the Causes of Schizophrenia, Sao Paulo Brazil, Feb 03-06, 2009. NEW YORK: SPRINGER. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4419-0913-8_20

Cannabis: A Clue or a Distraction in the Search for 'Causes' of Psychosis?

2010

Conference Publication

Environmental risk factors for schizophrenia : Does developmental vitamin D deficiency play a role?

McGrath, John, Eyles, Darryl and Burne, Tom (2010). Environmental risk factors for schizophrenia : Does developmental vitamin D deficiency play a role?. 11th Australasian Schizophrenia Conference, Sydney, Australia, 22-24 September 2010. United Kingdom: Informa Healthcare.

Environmental risk factors for schizophrenia : Does developmental vitamin D deficiency play a role?

2010

Conference Publication

Attentional performance of DVD-deficient rats in the 5-choice continuous performance test

Burne, Thomas H., Turner, Karly, McGrath, John J. and Eyles, Darryl W. (2010). Attentional performance of DVD-deficient rats in the 5-choice continuous performance test. 2nd Schizophrenia International Research Society Conference, Florence, Italy, 10-14 April 2010. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2010.02.442

Attentional performance of DVD-deficient rats in the 5-choice continuous performance test

2010

Journal Article

What can we do to reduce the burden of avoidable deaths in those with serious mental illness?

Crompton, David R., Groves, Aaron and McGrath, John J. (2010). What can we do to reduce the burden of avoidable deaths in those with serious mental illness?. Epidemiologia e Psichiatria Sociale, 19 (1), 4-7. doi: 10.1017/s1121189x00001524

What can we do to reduce the burden of avoidable deaths in those with serious mental illness?

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
  • 2008 - 2012
    Social behaviour in rats developmentally deficient in Vitamin D: modelling the negative symptoms of schizophrenia
    NHMRC Project Grant
    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
    Wolston Park Hospital
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1997
    Impact of clozapine
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1998
    Promoting positive outcomes for parents with serious mental illness
    Queensland Health Health Promotion
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1998
    The antenatal needs of women 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
  • 1995 - 1996
    Impact of Clozapine
    Sandoz Australia Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1996
    Attentional processing and psychoses: Techniques from cognitive psychophysiology in the investigation of schizophrenia, mood disorder and well controls
    UQ Foundation
    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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