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

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

621 - 640 of 846 works

2005

Journal Article

Transient prenatal vitamin D deficiency is associated with subtle alterations in learning and memory functions in adult rats

Becker, A., Eyles, D. W., McGrath, J. J. and Grecksch, G. (2005). Transient prenatal vitamin D deficiency is associated with subtle alterations in learning and memory functions in adult rats. Behavioural Brain Research, 161 (2), 306-312. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2005.02.015

Transient prenatal vitamin D deficiency is associated with subtle alterations in learning and memory functions in adult rats

2005

Journal Article

Search for the causes of schizophrenia, vol 5.

McGrath, JJ (2005). Search for the causes of schizophrenia, vol 5.. Schizophrenia Research, 73 (1), 121-123. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2004.08.014

Search for the causes of schizophrenia, vol 5.

2004

Journal Article

Maternal vitamin D3 deprivation and the regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle during rat brain development

Ko, Pauline, Burkert, Rachel, McGrath, John and Eyles, Darryl (2004). Maternal vitamin D3 deprivation and the regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle during rat brain development. Developmental Brain Research, 153 (1), 61-68. doi: 10.1016/j.devbrainres.2004.07.013

Maternal vitamin D3 deprivation and the regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle during rat brain development

2004

Conference Publication

The receptor for vitamin D and the enzyme responsible for its synthesis are widely distributed in human brain

Eyles, W, Smith, S, Kinobe, R, Hewison, M and McGrath, J (2004). The receptor for vitamin D and the enzyme responsible for its synthesis are widely distributed in human brain. 24th CINP Congress, Paris France, Jun 20-24, 2004. NEW YORK: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS.

The receptor for vitamin D and the enzyme responsible for its synthesis are widely distributed in human brain

2004

Journal Article

A systematic review of the incidence of schizophrenia: the distribution of rates and the influence of sex, urbanicity, migrant status and methodology

McGrath, John, Saha, Sukanta, Welham, Joy, El-Saadi, Ossama, MacCauley, Clare and Chant, David (2004). A systematic review of the incidence of schizophrenia: the distribution of rates and the influence of sex, urbanicity, migrant status and methodology. BMC Medicine, 2 (13) 13, 1-22. doi: 10.1186/1741-7015-2-13

A systematic review of the incidence of schizophrenia: the distribution of rates and the influence of sex, urbanicity, migrant status and methodology

2004

Journal Article

Paternal and maternal age as risk factors for psychosis: findings from Denmark, Sweden and Australia

El-Saadi, Ossama, Pedersen, Carsten B., McNeil, Thomas F., Saha, Sukanta, Welham, Joy, O'Callaghan, Eadbhard, Cantor-Graae, Elizabeth, Chant, David, Mortensen, Preben Bo and McGrath, John (2004). Paternal and maternal age as risk factors for psychosis: findings from Denmark, Sweden and Australia. Schizophrenia Research, 67 (2-3), 227-236. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(03)00100-2

Paternal and maternal age as risk factors for psychosis: findings from Denmark, Sweden and Australia

2004

Conference Publication

Vitamin D supplementation during the first year of life and risk of schizophrenia: A Finnish birth-cohort study

McGrath, JJ, Saari, K, Hakko, H, Jokelainen, J, Jones, PB, Jarvelin, MR, Chant, DC and Isohanni, M (2004). Vitamin D supplementation during the first year of life and risk of schizophrenia: A Finnish birth-cohort study. 12th Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos Switzerland, Feb 07-13, 2004. AMSTERDAM: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV.

Vitamin D supplementation during the first year of life and risk of schizophrenia: A Finnish birth-cohort study

2004

Journal Article

Demographic and clinical correlates of comorbid substance use disorders in psychosis: multivariate analyses from an epidemiological sample

Kavanagh, David J., Waghorn, Geoffrey, Jenner, Linda, Chant, David C., Carr, Vaughan, Evans, Mandy, Herrman, Helen, Jablensky, Assen and McGrath, John J. (2004). Demographic and clinical correlates of comorbid substance use disorders in psychosis: multivariate analyses from an epidemiological sample. Schizophrenia Research, 66 (2-3), 115-124. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(03)00130-0

Demographic and clinical correlates of comorbid substance use disorders in psychosis: multivariate analyses from an epidemiological sample

2004

Conference Publication

Transient prenatal and early life hypovitaminosis D induce permanent alterations in brain morphology, cell density and gene expression consistent with alterations observed in schizophrenia

Eyles, D., Burne, T., Brown, J., Smith, E., Mackay-Sim, A., McGrath, J. and Feron, F. (2004). Transient prenatal and early life hypovitaminosis D induce permanent alterations in brain morphology, cell density and gene expression consistent with alterations observed in schizophrenia. 12th Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos, Switzerland, 7-13 Feb 2004. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier Science Bv. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2003.10.001

Transient prenatal and early life hypovitaminosis D induce permanent alterations in brain morphology, cell density and gene expression consistent with alterations observed in schizophrenia

2004

Journal Article

Transient prenatal vitamin D deficiency is associated with hyperlocomotion in adult rats

Burne, T. H. J., Becker, A., Brown, J., Eyles, D. W., MacKay-Sim, A. and McGrath, J. J. (2004). Transient prenatal vitamin D deficiency is associated with hyperlocomotion in adult rats. Behavioural Brain Research, 154 (2), 549-555. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2004.03.023

Transient prenatal vitamin D deficiency is associated with hyperlocomotion in adult rats

2004

Conference Publication

Low prenatal vitamin D alters morphology, cell density and gene expression in adult rat brain: Correlations with schizophrenia

Eyles, D. W., Burne, T., Mackay-Sim, A., McGrath, J. and Feron, F. (2004). Low prenatal vitamin D alters morphology, cell density and gene expression in adult rat brain: Correlations with schizophrenia. XXIVth CINP Congress, Paris, France, 20–24 June 2004. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

Low prenatal vitamin D alters morphology, cell density and gene expression in adult rat brain: Correlations with schizophrenia

2004

Conference Publication

Behavioural outcomes of prenatal vitamin D deficiency in rats

Burne, T. H. J., Eyles, D. W., Becker, A., Brown, J., Mackay-Sim, A. and McGrath, J. J. (2004). Behavioural outcomes of prenatal vitamin D deficiency in rats. 12th Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos, Switzerland, 7-13 Feb 2004. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elseveir, Science BV. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2003.10.001

Behavioural outcomes of prenatal vitamin D deficiency in rats

2004

Journal Article

Combined prenatal and chronic postnatal vitamin D deficiency in rats impairs prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle

Burne, T. H. J., Feron, F., Brown, J., Eyles, D. W., McGrath, J. J. and Mackay-Sim, A. (2004). Combined prenatal and chronic postnatal vitamin D deficiency in rats impairs prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle. Physiology & Behavior, 81 (4), 651-655. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2004.03.004

Combined prenatal and chronic postnatal vitamin D deficiency in rats impairs prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle

2004

Journal Article

Correlates of victimisation amongst people with psychosis

Chapple, B, Chant, D, Nolan, P, Cardy, S, Whiteford, H and McGrath, J. (2004). Correlates of victimisation amongst people with psychosis. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 39 (10), 836-840. doi: 10.1007/s00127-004-0819-4

Correlates of victimisation amongst people with psychosis

2004

Book Chapter

Schizophrenia, vitamin D, and brain development

Mackay-Sim, Alan, Feron, Francois, Eyles, Darryl, Burne, Thomas and McGrath, John (2004). Schizophrenia, vitamin D, and brain development. Disorders of Synaptic Plasticity And Schizophrenia. (pp. 351-380) edited by John Smythies. USA: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0074-7742(04)59014-1

Schizophrenia, vitamin D, and brain development

2004

Journal Article

Vitamin D supplementation during the first year of life and risk of schizophrenia: a Finnish birth cohort study

McGrath, J, Saari, K, Hakko, H, Jokelainen, J, Jones, P, Jarvelin, MR, Chant, D and Isohanni, M (2004). Vitamin D supplementation during the first year of life and risk of schizophrenia: a Finnish birth cohort study. Schizophrenia Research, 67 (2-3), 237-245. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2003.08.005

Vitamin D supplementation during the first year of life and risk of schizophrenia: a Finnish birth cohort study

2004

Conference Publication

Vitamin D-3 - implications for brain development

McGrath, John J., Feron, François P., Burne, Thomas H. J., Mackay-Sim, Alan and Eyles, Darryl W. (2004). Vitamin D-3 - implications for brain development. 12th Workshop on Vitamin D, Maastricht, The Netherlands, 06-10 July 2003. Oxford, U.K.: Pergamon Press. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2004.03.070

Vitamin D-3 - implications for brain development

2004

Conference Publication

Prenatal vitamin D deficiency induces hyperlocomotion and impairs PPI in adult offspring - a role for dopamine?

Rogers, E., Burne, T., McGrath, J. and Eyles, D. W. (2004). Prenatal vitamin D deficiency induces hyperlocomotion and impairs PPI in adult offspring - a role for dopamine?. 24th CINP Congress, Paris, France, 20-24 June 2004. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1017/S1461145704004547

Prenatal vitamin D deficiency induces hyperlocomotion and impairs PPI in adult offspring - a role for dopamine?

2004

Conference Publication

Prenatal vitamin D deficiency causes behavioural changes in adult offspring: Evidence of dopaminergic dysregulation

Rogers, F., Burne, T.H.J., Eyles, D.W. and McGrath, J.J. (2004). Prenatal vitamin D deficiency causes behavioural changes in adult offspring: Evidence of dopaminergic dysregulation. XIIth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos, Switzerland, 7-13 February 2004 . Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2003.10.001

Prenatal vitamin D deficiency causes behavioural changes in adult offspring: Evidence of dopaminergic dysregulation

2004

Journal Article

Paradoxical association between smoking and olfactory identification in psychosis versus controls

McLean, D, Feron, F, Mackay-Sim, A, McCurdy, R, Hirning, M, Chant, D and McGrath, J (2004). Paradoxical association between smoking and olfactory identification in psychosis versus controls. Australian And New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 38 (1-2), 81-83. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1614.2004.01301.x

Paradoxical association between smoking and olfactory identification in psychosis versus controls

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
    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 - 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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