Overview
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
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
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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.
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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.
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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).
Works
Search Professor John McGrath’s works on UQ eSpace
2003
Journal Article
Olanzapine vs risperidone in the management of schizophrenia: a randomized double-blind trial in Australia and New Zealand
Gureje, O, Miles, W, Keks, N, Grainger, D, Lambert, T, McGrath, J, Tran, P, Catts, S, Fraser, A, Hustig, H, Andersen, S and Crawford, AM (2003). Olanzapine vs risperidone in the management of schizophrenia: a randomized double-blind trial in Australia and New Zealand. Schizophrenia Research, 61 (2-3), 303-314. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(02)00226-8
2003
Journal Article
The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia: a review of recent developments
McGrath, J. J., Feron, F. P., Burne, T. H. J., Mackay-Sim, A. and Eyles, D. W. (2003). The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia: a review of recent developments. Annals of Medicine, 35 (2), 86-93. doi: 10.1080/07853890310010005
2003
Other Outputs
The epidemiology of schizophrenia
McGrath, John Joseph (2003). The epidemiology of schizophrenia. PhD Thesis, School of Medicine-Queensland Centre for Schizophrenia Research, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/106500
2003
Journal Article
Directional and fluctuating asymmetry in finger and a-b ridge counts in psychosis: a case-control study
Saha, Sukanta, Loesch, Danuta, Chant, David, Welham, Joy, El-Saadi, Ossama, Fananas, Lourdes, Mowry, Bryan and McGrath, John (2003). Directional and fluctuating asymmetry in finger and a-b ridge counts in psychosis: a case-control study. Bmc Psychiatry, 3. doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-3-3
2003
Book Chapter
Families where a parent has schizophrenia: Opportunities for prevention
McClean, Duncan, Scott, James and McGrath, John (2003). Families where a parent has schizophrenia: Opportunities for prevention. Preventive strategies for schizophrenic disorders: Basic principles, opportunities and limits. (pp. 210-224) Rome, Italy: Giovanni Fiorti Editore.
2003
Journal Article
Carbamazepine for schizophrenia and schizoaffective psychoses.
Leucht, S., McGrath, J. J., White, P. and Kissling, W. (2003). Carbamazepine for schizophrenia and schizoaffective psychoses.. Cochrane Library Systematic Reviews, 3 (2), 1-40.
2003
Journal Article
Invited Commentary: Gaining Traction on the Epidemiologic Landscape of Schizophrenia
McGrath, J. J. (2003). Invited Commentary: Gaining Traction on the Epidemiologic Landscape of Schizophrenia. American Journal of Epidemiology, 158 (4), 301-304. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwg119
2003
Book Chapter
Prevention of schizophrenia - not an impossible dream
McGrath, John (2003). Prevention of schizophrenia - not an impossible dream. The Epidemiology of Schizophrenia. (pp. 427-439) edited by Robin Murray, Peter B. Jones, Ezra Susser, Jim van Os and Mary Cannon. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
2003
Conference Publication
Vitamin D supplementation during the first year of life and risk of schizophrenia: A Finnish birth-cohort study
McGrath, J. J., Kaisa, S., Hakko, H., Jokelainen, J., Jones, P. B., Jarvelin, M. R., Chant, D. C. and Isohanni, M. (2003). Vitamin D supplementation during the first year of life and risk of schizophrenia: A Finnish birth-cohort study. 9th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research, Colorado Springs, Colorado USA, 29 March - 2 April 2003. Amsterdam: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(03)80131-7
2002
Journal Article
Substance misuse in patients with schizophrenia: Epidemiology and management
Kavanagh, David J., McGrath, John, Saunders, John B., Dore, Glenys and Clark, Dianne (2002). Substance misuse in patients with schizophrenia: Epidemiology and management. Current Therapeutics, 43 (10), 12-19.
2002
Journal Article
Assessing the co-segregation of disorders within pedigrees: a comparison of two methods
Chant, David, McGrath, John and Mowry, Bryan (2002). Assessing the co-segregation of disorders within pedigrees: a comparison of two methods. Australasian Epidemiologist, 9 (1), 29-33.
2002
Conference Publication
Low maternal vitamin D as a risk factor for schizophrenia: a pilot study using banked sera
McGrath, J., Eyles, D., Mowry, B., Yolken, R. and Buka, S. (2002). Low maternal vitamin D as a risk factor for schizophrenia: a pilot study using banked sera. XIth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos, Switzerland, 24 February 2002. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier.
2002
Conference Publication
Disruption of pro-differentiating signals may underlie both loss of cerebral asymmetry and craniofacial features in schizophrenia
McGrath, J., Eyles, D., Feron, F., Mackay-Sim, A. and Lieberman, D. (2002). Disruption of pro-differentiating signals may underlie both loss of cerebral asymmetry and craniofacial features in schizophrenia. XIth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos, Switzerland, February 24–March 1, 2002. Amsterdam: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(01)00381-4
2002
Conference Publication
The presence of quasi-psychotic phenomena is associated with minor physical anomalies and craniofacial measures in well controls
Saha, S., Chapple, B., Cardy, S., Chant, D., Mowry, B. and McGrath, J. (2002). The presence of quasi-psychotic phenomena is associated with minor physical anomalies and craniofacial measures in well controls. XIth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos, Switzerland, 24 February – 1 March, 2002. Amsterdam: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(01)00381-4
2002
Journal Article
Working memory correlates of three symptom clusters in schizophrenia
Cameron, AM, Oram, J, Geffen, GM, Kavanagh, DJ, McGrath, JJ and Geffen, LB (2002). Working memory correlates of three symptom clusters in schizophrenia. Psychiatry Research, 110 (1), 49-61. doi: 10.1016/S0165-1781(02)00036-7
2002
Journal Article
An on-line investigation of lexical ambiguity processing in schizophrenia
Copland, D, Chenery, H, Savage, G and McGrath, J (2002). An on-line investigation of lexical ambiguity processing in schizophrenia. Brain And Cognition, 48 (2-3), 324-327. doi: 10.1006/brcg.2001.1370
2002
Journal Article
Vitamin D-3 regulates the low affinity neurotrophin receptor P75 in the developing rat brain
Eyles, DW, Burkert, R and McGrath, J (2002). Vitamin D-3 regulates the low affinity neurotrophin receptor P75 in the developing rat brain. Schizophrenia Research, 53 (3), 228-228.
2002
Conference Publication
Paternal age as a risk factor for psychosis and schizophrenia: Findings from Denmark, Sweden and Australia
El-Saadi, O., Saha, S., Welham, J., Chant, D., Mortensen, P.B., Pedersen, C.B., Cantor-Graae, E., McNeil, T.F., OCallaghan, E. and McGrath, J. (2002). Paternal age as a risk factor for psychosis and schizophrenia: Findings from Denmark, Sweden and Australia. XIth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos, Switzerland, 24 February - 1 March, 2002. Amsterdam: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(01)00381-4
2002
Journal Article
Long-term trends in sunshine duration and its association with schizophrenia birth rates and age at first registration - data from Australia and the Netherlands
McGrath, J., Selten, J. P. and Chant, D. (2002). Long-term trends in sunshine duration and its association with schizophrenia birth rates and age at first registration - data from Australia and the Netherlands. Schizophrenia Research, 54 (3), 199-212. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(01)00259-6
2002
Journal Article
Carbamazepine augmentation for schizophrenia: How good is the evidence?
Leucht, S., McGrath, J., White, P. and Kissling, W. (2002). Carbamazepine augmentation for schizophrenia: How good is the evidence?. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 63 (3), 218-224.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor John McGrath is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Completed supervision
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Mental Disorders and Physical Activity: Epidemiological Analyses using Australian Datasets
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Scott
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
The mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Harvey Whiteford
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
The antecedents of schizophrenia, a birth cohort study
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Gail Williams
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
AWARENESS OF MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS OF INSIGHT INTO SCHIZOPHRENIA: A COMPARISON OF PATIENTS WITH THEIR RELATIVES AND CLINICIANS
Principal Advisor
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Contrasting the Expression of Psychotic Disorders in Ethnically Different Populations
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Mowry
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
The role of adult vitamin D deficiency in cognition and brain function in mice
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Thomas Burne
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Neurochemical and neurophysiological bases of executive control
Associate Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of developmental vitamin D3 deficiency on brain development, immune function and behaviour in the adult rat
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Thomas Burne, Professor Darryl Eyles
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
The prevalence and correlates of psychotic-like experiences in the Australian community
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Graham Martin
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
Startle eyeblink modification: Associations with haloperidol, caffeine and nicotine in schizophrenia-spectrum and health individuals
Associate Advisor
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
INFORMATION PROCESSING AND PSYCHOSIS
Associate Advisor
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
THE ASSESSMENT OF THE DYSEXECUTIVE SYNDROME IN INDIVIDUALS WITH PSYCHOSIS
Associate Advisor
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2002
Doctor Philosophy
THE ELECTRO-PHYSIOLOGY OF WORKING MEMORY IN SCHIZOPHRENIA
Associate Advisor
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2002
Doctor Philosophy
MOLECULAR CANDIDATES FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Mowry
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor John McGrath directly for media enquiries about:
- Brain development
- Neuroscience
- Schizophrenia
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