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)

601 - 620 of 899 works

2007

Journal Article

Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters the expression of genes encoding mitochondrial, cytoskeletal and synaptic proteins in the adult rat brain

Eyles, D., Almeras, L., Benech, P., Patatian, A., Mackay-Sim, A., McGrath, J. and Feron, F. (2007). Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters the expression of genes encoding mitochondrial, cytoskeletal and synaptic proteins in the adult rat brain. Journal of Steriod Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 103 (3-5), 538-545. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2006.12.096

Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters the expression of genes encoding mitochondrial, cytoskeletal and synaptic proteins in the adult rat brain

2007

Journal Article

Thought experiments on the incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia 'under the influence' of cannabis

McGrath, J. J. and Saha, S. (2007). Thought experiments on the incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia 'under the influence' of cannabis. Addiction, 102 (4), 514-515. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2007.01755.x

Thought experiments on the incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia 'under the influence' of cannabis

2007

Conference Publication

Linking schizophrenia epidemiology and developmental neurobiology; the impact of low prenatal vitamin D on brain development

McGrath, J. J. (2007). Linking schizophrenia epidemiology and developmental neurobiology; the impact of low prenatal vitamin D on brain development. 5th International Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, Perth, Australia, 6-10 November 2007. Shannon, Ireland: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0378-3782(07)70019-1

Linking schizophrenia epidemiology and developmental neurobiology; the impact of low prenatal vitamin D on brain development

2006

Journal Article

No association between the deficit syndrome in psychosis and summer birth in a Southern Hemisphere country (Correspondence)

Welham, Joy, Chant, David, Saha, S., McGrath, John, Kirkpatrick, Brian and Castle, David (2006). No association between the deficit syndrome in psychosis and summer birth in a Southern Hemisphere country (Correspondence). Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 40 (10), 935-936. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1614.2006.01913.x

No association between the deficit syndrome in psychosis and summer birth in a Southern Hemisphere country (Correspondence)

2006

Journal Article

Evidence of altered prefrontal-thalamic circuitry in schizophrenia: An optimised diffusion MRI study

Rose, Stephen E., Chalk, Jonathan B., Janke, Andrew L., Strudwick, Mark W., Windus, Louisa C., Hannah, Dominique E., McGrath, John J., Pantelis, Christos, Wood, Stephen J. and Mowry, Bryan J. (2006). Evidence of altered prefrontal-thalamic circuitry in schizophrenia: An optimised diffusion MRI study. NeuroImage, 32 (1), 16-22. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2006.03.003

Evidence of altered prefrontal-thalamic circuitry in schizophrenia: An optimised diffusion MRI study

2006

Journal Article

The romance of balancing selection versus the sober alternatives: Let the data rule

McGrath, John J. (2006). The romance of balancing selection versus the sober alternatives: Let the data rule. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 29 (4), 417-418. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X06349096

The romance of balancing selection versus the sober alternatives: Let the data rule

2006

Journal Article

The incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia varies with latitude

Saha, S., Chant, D. C., Welham, J. L. and McGrath, J. J. (2006). The incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia varies with latitude. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 114 (1), 36-39. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00742.x

The incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia varies with latitude

2006

Journal Article

Polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor and their associations with risk of schizophrenia and selected anthropometric measures

Handoko, H., Nancarrow, D.J., Mowry, B.J. and McGrath, J.J. (2006). Polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor and their associations with risk of schizophrenia and selected anthropometric measures. American Journal of Human Biology, 18 (3), 415-417. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.20504

Polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor and their associations with risk of schizophrenia and selected anthropometric measures

2006

Journal Article

Apoptosis and schizophrenia: a pilot study based on dermal fibroblast cell lines

Catts, Vibeke Sorensen, Catts, Stanley Victor, McGrath, John Joseph, Feron, Francois, McLean, Duncan, Coulson, Elizabeth Jane and Lutze-Mann, Louise Helen (2006). Apoptosis and schizophrenia: a pilot study based on dermal fibroblast cell lines. Schizophrenia Research, 84 (1), 20-28. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2006.03.016

Apoptosis and schizophrenia: a pilot study based on dermal fibroblast cell lines

2006

Journal Article

Incidence of schizophrenia does not vary with economic status of the country

Saha, Sukanta, Welham, Joy, Chant, David and McGrath, John (2006). Incidence of schizophrenia does not vary with economic status of the country. Social Psychiatry And Psychiatric Epidemiology, 41 (5), 338-340. doi: 10.1007/s00127-006-0041-7

Incidence of schizophrenia does not vary with economic status of the country

2006

Journal Article

Psychotic-like experiences in the general community: The correlates of CIDI psychosis screen items in an Australian sample

Scott, James, Chant, David, Andrews, Gavin and McGrath, John (2006). Psychotic-like experiences in the general community: The correlates of CIDI psychosis screen items in an Australian sample. Psychological Medicine, 36 (2), 231-238. doi: 10.1017/S0033291705006392

Psychotic-like experiences in the general community: The correlates of CIDI psychosis screen items in an Australian sample

2006

Journal Article

Association study of the dystrobrevin-binding gene with schizophrenia in Australian and Indian samples

Holliday, Elizabeth G., Handoko, Herlina Y., James, Michael R., McGrath, J. J., Nertney, Deborah A., Tirupati, Sujit, Thara, Rangaswamy, Levinson, Douglas F., Hayward, Nicholas K., Mowry, Bryan J. and Nyholt, Dale R. (2006). Association study of the dystrobrevin-binding gene with schizophrenia in Australian and Indian samples. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 9 (4), 531-539. doi: 10.1375/183242706778025035

Association study of the dystrobrevin-binding gene with schizophrenia in Australian and Indian samples

2006

Journal Article

Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters MK 801-induced hyperlocomotion in the adult rat: An animal model of schizophrenia

Kesby, James P., Burne, Thomas H.J., McGrath, John J. and Eyles, Darryl W. (2006). Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters MK 801-induced hyperlocomotion in the adult rat: An animal model of schizophrenia. Biological Psychiatry, 60 (6), 591-596. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.02.033

Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters MK 801-induced hyperlocomotion in the adult rat: An animal model of schizophrenia

2006

Conference Publication

The DVD animal model of schizophrenia: Effects of low maternal vitamin D on brain dopamine

Eyles, D. W., Ko, P., Kesby, J. P., Burne, H. J. and McGrath, J. (2006). The DVD animal model of schizophrenia: Effects of low maternal vitamin D on brain dopamine. XIIIth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia Research, Davos, Switzerland, 4-10 February 2006. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2006.01.006

The DVD animal model of schizophrenia: Effects of low maternal vitamin D on brain dopamine

2006

Journal Article

Evolutionary theories of schizophrenia: 'Big ideas' or the soft underbelly of schizophrenia research?

McGrath, JJ (2006). Evolutionary theories of schizophrenia: 'Big ideas' or the soft underbelly of schizophrenia research?. Schizophrenia Research, 81, 34-34.

Evolutionary theories of schizophrenia: 'Big ideas' or the soft underbelly of schizophrenia research?

2006

Conference Publication

Recovery from schizophrenia - A systematic review and meta-analysis

Miettunen, J, Lauronen, E, Veijola, J, McGrath, JJ and Isohanni, M (2006). Recovery from schizophrenia - A systematic review and meta-analysis. 13th Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia Research, Davos Switzerland, Feb 04-10, 2006. AMSTERDAM: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV.

Recovery from schizophrenia - A systematic review and meta-analysis

2006

Journal Article

Season of birth is associated with anthropometric and neurocognitive outcomes during infancy and childhood in a general population birth cohort

McGrath, J. J., Saha, S., Lieberman, D. E. and Buka, S. (2006). Season of birth is associated with anthropometric and neurocognitive outcomes during infancy and childhood in a general population birth cohort. Schizophrenia Research, 81 (1), 91-183. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2005.07.017

Season of birth is associated with anthropometric and neurocognitive outcomes during infancy and childhood in a general population birth cohort

2006

Conference Publication

A systematic review of the prevalence of schizophrenia

Saha, S, Chant, D. C., Welham, J. L. and McGrath, J. J. (2006). A systematic review of the prevalence of schizophrenia. XIIIth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia Research, Davos, Switzerland, 4-10 February 2006. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2006.01.006

A systematic review of the prevalence of schizophrenia

2006

Conference Publication

The incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia varies with latitude

Saha, S, Chant, DC, Welham, J and McGrath, JJ (2006). The incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia varies with latitude. 13th Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia Research, Davos Switzerland, Feb 04-10, 2006. AMSTERDAM: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV.

The incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia varies with latitude

2006

Journal Article

Clinical and demographic features of treated first-episode psychotic disorders: A Zambian study

Mbewe, E., Haworth, A., Welham, J., Mubanga, D., Chazulwa, R., Zulu, M. M., Mayeya, J. and McGrath, J. J. (2006). Clinical and demographic features of treated first-episode psychotic disorders: A Zambian study. Schizophrenia Research, 86 (1-3), 202-207. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2006.03.046

Clinical and demographic features of treated first-episode psychotic disorders: A Zambian 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
    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 - 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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