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
2000
Conference Publication
Between-year fluctuations in schizophrenia birth rate and associations with the Southern Oscillation Index, cloud cover and sunshine
McGrath, J., Welham, J., Davies, G., Chant, D. and Auliciems, A. (2000). Between-year fluctuations in schizophrenia birth rate and associations with the Southern Oscillation Index, cloud cover and sunshine. Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos, Switzerland, 5-11 February, 2000. Amsterdam: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(00)90439-0
2000
Conference Publication
Increased risk of psychosis in rural-born individuals: an Australian Catchement-area Study
McGrath, J. J., Cardy, S., Chapple, B. and Mowry, B. (2000). Increased risk of psychosis in rural-born individuals: an Australian Catchement-area Study. Tenth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos, Switzerland, 5-11 February 2000. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science.
2000
Conference Publication
Comorbid abuse or dependence on annibis and/or alcohol in psychotic disorders: results from the Australian Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Jenner, L., McGrath, J. J., Kavanagh, D., Evans, M., Herrman, H. and Jablinsky, A. (2000). Comorbid abuse or dependence on annibis and/or alcohol in psychotic disorders: results from the Australian Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Tenth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos, Switzerland, 5-11 February 2000. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science.
2000
Conference Publication
Identity and semantic priming in schizophrenia using a letter search task
Chenery, H. J., Pettigrew, C. M. and McGrath, J. (2000). Identity and semantic priming in schizophrenia using a letter search task. Academy of Aphasia 2000, San Diego CA, 2000.
2000
Journal Article
Heterogeneity in schizophrenia; mixture modelling of age-at-first admission, gender and diagnosis
Welham, J., McLachlan, G. J., Davies, G. and McGrath, J. J. (2000). Heterogeneity in schizophrenia; mixture modelling of age-at-first admission, gender and diagnosis. Acta Pyschiatrica Scandinavica, 1, 312-317.
2000
Book Chapter
Introduction and overview
McGrath, J. J., Castle, D. and Kulkarni, J. (2000). Introduction and overview. Women and Schizophrenia. (pp. 1-5) edited by David J. Castle, John McGrath and Jayashri Kulkarni. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
2000
Journal Article
Comorbid abuse or dependence on cannabis and/or alcohol in psychotic disorders: Results from the Australian Survey of Mental Health and Well being
Jenner, L, McGrath, J, Kavanagh, D, Evans, M, Herrman, H, Jablensky, A and Study Grp (2000). Comorbid abuse or dependence on cannabis and/or alcohol in psychotic disorders: Results from the Australian Survey of Mental Health and Well being. Schizophrenia Research, 41 (1), 49-49. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(00)90409-2
2000
Journal Article
Cognitive rehabilitation for people with schizophrenia and related conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Hayes, RL and McGrath, JJ (2000). Cognitive rehabilitation for people with schizophrenia and related conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Schizophrenia Research, 41 (1), 221-222. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(00)90854-5
2000
Conference Publication
Hypothesis; is low vitamin D a risk-modifying factor for schizophrenia?
McGrath, J. J. (2000). Hypothesis; is low vitamin D a risk-modifying factor for schizophrenia?. Tenth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos, Switzerland, 5-11 February 2000. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science.
2000
Conference Publication
Is there change over time in the season-of-birth effect for schizophrenia in the Southern Hemisphere?
Welham, J., Chant, D. C., Davies, G. and McGrath, J. J. (2000). Is there change over time in the season-of-birth effect for schizophrenia in the Southern Hemisphere?. Tenth Biennial Winter workshop on Schizophremia, Davos, Switzerland, 5-11 February 2000. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science.
2000
Journal Article
Working with parents with a serious mental illness: What do service providers think?
Byrne, L., Hearle, J., Plant, K., Barkla, J., Jenner, L. and McGrath, J. J. (2000). Working with parents with a serious mental illness: What do service providers think?. Australian Social Work, 53 (4), 21-26. doi: 10.1080/03124070008415217
2000
Journal Article
Psychotic disorders in urban Australia: A national study 1996-1998
Jablensky, A, McGrath, J, Herrman, H, Castle, D, Gureje, O, Carr, V, Morgan, V, Korten, A and Harvey, C (2000). Psychotic disorders in urban Australia: A national study 1996-1998. Australian And New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 34, A32-A32. doi: 10.1080/000486700646
2000
Journal Article
Season of birth effect and latitude: A systematic review and meta-analysis of northern hemisphere schizophrenia studies
Davies, GJ, Welham, J, Torrey, EF and McGrath, J (2000). Season of birth effect and latitude: A systematic review and meta-analysis of northern hemisphere schizophrenia studies. Schizophrenia Research, 41 (1), 62-62. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(00)90437-7
2000
Conference Publication
Cognitive rehabilitation for people with schizophrenia and related conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Hayes, R. L. and McGrath, J. J. (2000). Cognitive rehabilitation for people with schizophrenia and related conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Tenth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos, Switzerland, 5-11 February 2000. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science.
2000
Conference Publication
Neural biopsies from patients with schizophrenia: testing the neurodevelopmental hypothesis in vitro
Feron, F., Perry, C. J., Wiseman, M., Mackay-Sim, A. and McGrath, J. J. (2000). Neural biopsies from patients with schizophrenia: testing the neurodevelopmental hypothesis in vitro. Tenth Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia, Davos, Switzerland, 5th - 11th February, 2000. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science.
1999
Journal Article
Treatment of schizophrenia
McGrath, John and Emmerson, W. Brett (1999). Treatment of schizophrenia. BMJ, 319 (7216), 1045-1048. doi: 10.1136/bmj.319.7216.1045
1999
Journal Article
A survey of contact with offspring and assistance with child care among parents with psychotic disorders
Hearle, J., Plant, K., Jenner, L., Barkla, J. and McGrath, J. (1999). A survey of contact with offspring and assistance with child care among parents with psychotic disorders. Psychiatric Services, 50 (10), 1354-1356.
1999
Journal Article
Neural biopsies from patients with schizophrenia: Testing the neurodevelopmental hypothesis in vitro
Feron, F., Perry, C., Wiseman, R., Mackay-Sim, A. and McGrath, J. (1999). Neural biopsies from patients with schizophrenia: Testing the neurodevelopmental hypothesis in vitro. Schizophrenia Research, 36 (1-3), 80-81.
1999
Journal Article
Altered adhesion, proliferation and death in neural cultures from adults with schizophrenia
Feron, F., Perry, C., Hirning, M. H., McGrath, J. and Mackay-Sim, A. (1999). Altered adhesion, proliferation and death in neural cultures from adults with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research, 40 (3), 211-218. doi: 10.1016/S0920-9964(99)00055-9
1999
Journal Article
Australians living with psychotic illness, 1997-1998. Preliminary results of the study on low-prevalence disorders as part of the Australian national mental health survey
Jablensky, A, McGrath, J and Morgan, V (1999). Australians living with psychotic illness, 1997-1998. Preliminary results of the study on low-prevalence disorders as part of the Australian national mental health survey. Australian And New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 33, A30-A30.
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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