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
-
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).
Works
Search Professor John McGrath’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Journal Article
Genome-wide association study of dietary intake in the UK biobank study and its associations with schizophrenia and other traits
Niarchou, Maria, Byrne, Enda M., Trzaskowski, Maciej, Sidorenko, Julia, Kemper, Kathryn E., McGrath, John J., O’ Donovan, Michael C., Owen, Michael J. and Wray, Naomi R. (2020). Genome-wide association study of dietary intake in the UK biobank study and its associations with schizophrenia and other traits. Translational Psychiatry, 10 (1) 51, 1-11. doi: 10.1038/s41398-020-0688-y
2020
Journal Article
Exposure to air pollution during childhood and risk of developing schizophrenia: a national cohort study
Antonsen, Sussie, Mok, Pearl L. H., Webb, Roger T., Mortensen, Preben B., McGrath, John J., Agerbo, Esben, Brandt, Jørgen, Geels, Camilla, Christensen, Jesper H. and Pedersen, Carsten B. (2020). Exposure to air pollution during childhood and risk of developing schizophrenia: a national cohort study. The Lancet Planetary Health, 4 (2), e64-e73. doi: 10.1016/S2542-5196(20)30004-8
2020
Journal Article
Paternal-age-related de novo mutations and risk for five disorders
Taylor, Jacob L., Debost, Jean-Christophe P. G., Morton, Sarah U., Wigdor, Emilie M., Heyne, Henrike O., Lal, Dennis, Howrigan, Daniel P., Bloemendal, Alex, Larsen, Janne T., Kosmicki, Jack A., Weiner, Daniel J., Homsy, Jason, Seidman, Jonathan G., Seidman, Christine E., Agerbo, Esben, McGrath, John J., Mortensen, Preben Bo, Petersen, Liselotte, Daly, Mark J. and Robinson, Elise B. (2020). Paternal-age-related de novo mutations and risk for five disorders. Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey, 75 (2), 104-105. doi: 10.1097/OGX.0000000000000775
2020
Journal Article
Vitamin D supplementation compared to placebo in people with first episode psychosis - Neuroprotection Design (DFEND): a protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial
Gaughran, Fiona, Stringer, Dominic, Berk, Michael, Smith, Shubulade, Taylor, David, Whiskey, Eromona, Landau, Sabine, Murray, Robin, McGuire, Philip, Gardner-Sood, Poonam, Wojewodka, Gabriella, Ciufolini, Simone, Jordan, Harriet, Clarke, Jessie, Allen, Lauren, Krivoy, Amir, Stubbs, Brendon, Lowe, Philippa, Arbuthnott, Maurice, Rathod, Shanaya, Boardman, Andrew, Firdosi, Mudasir and McGrath, John J. (2020). Vitamin D supplementation compared to placebo in people with first episode psychosis - Neuroprotection Design (DFEND): a protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. Trials, 21 (1) 14, 14. doi: 10.1186/s13063-019-3758-9
2020
Journal Article
Intermittent explosive disorder subtypes in the general population: association with comorbidity, impairment and suicidality
Scott, K. M., de Vries, Y. A., Aguilar-Gaxiola, S., Al-Hamzawi, A., Alonso, J., Bromet, E. J., Bunting, B., Caldas-de-Almeida, J. M., Cia, A., Florescu, S., Gureje, O., Hu, C-Y, Karam, E. G., Karam, A., Kawakami, N., Kessler, R. C., Lee, S., McGrath, J., Oladeji, B., Posada-Villa, J., Stein, D. J., Zarkov, Z. and de Jonge, P. (2020). Intermittent explosive disorder subtypes in the general population: association with comorbidity, impairment and suicidality. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 29 e138, 1-10. doi: 10.1017/S2045796020000517
2020
Journal Article
Twelve-month mental health service use in six countries of the Americas: a regional report from the World Mental Health Surveys
Aguilar-Gaxiola, Sergio, Al-Hamzawi, Ali, Al-Kaisy, Mohammed Salih, Alonso, Jordi, Andrade, Laura Helena, Benjet, Corina, Borges, Guilherme, Bromet, Evelyn J., Bruffaerts, Ronny, Bunting, Brendan, de Almeida, Jose Miguel Caldas, Cardoso, Graça, Chatterji, Somnath, Cia, Alfredo H., Degenhardt, Louisa, Demyttenaere, Koen, Florescu, Silvia, de Girolamo, Giovanni, Gureje, Oye, Haro, Josep Maria, Hinkov, Hristo, Hu, Chi-Yi, de Jonge, Peter, Karam, Aimee Nasser, Karam, Elie G., Kawakami, Norito, Kessler, Ronald C., Kiejna, Andrzej, Kovess-Masfety, Viviane ... Medina-Mora, M. E. (2020). Twelve-month mental health service use in six countries of the Americas: a regional report from the World Mental Health Surveys. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 29 e53, 1-15. doi: 10.1017/S2045796019000477
2020
Journal Article
Incidence rates and cumulative incidences of the full spectrum of diagnosed mental disorders in childhood and adolescence
Dalsgaard, Søren, Thorsteinsson, Erla, Trabjerg, Betina B., Schullehner, Jörg, Plana-Ripoll, Oleguer, Brikell, Isabell, Wimberley, Theresa, Thygesen, Malene, Madsen, Kathrine Bang, Timmerman, Allan, Schendel, Diana, McGrath, John J., Mortensen, Preben Bo and Pedersen, Carsten B. (2020). Incidence rates and cumulative incidences of the full spectrum of diagnosed mental disorders in childhood and adolescence. JAMA Psychiatry, 77 (2), 155-164. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.3523
2019
Journal Article
The global burden of disease methodology has been good for mental disorders: But not good enough
Weye, Nanna, Christensen, Maria K., Momen, Natalie C., Iburg, Kim Moesgaard, Plana-Ripoll, Oleguer and McGrath, John J. (2019). The global burden of disease methodology has been good for mental disorders: But not good enough. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 65 (2), 070674371989359-103. doi: 10.1177/0706743719893591
2019
Journal Article
Life expectancy and disease burden in the Nordic countries: results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017
Knudsen, Ann Kristin, Allebeck, Peter, Tollanes, Mette C., Skogen, Jens Christoffer, Iburg, Kim Moesgaard, McGrath, John J., Agardh, Emilie Elisabet, Arnlov, Johan, Bjorge, Tone, Carrero, Juan J., Cederroth, Christopher R., Eggen, Anne Elise, El-Khatib, Ziad, Ellingsen, Christian Lycke, Fereshtehnejad, Seyed-Mohammad, Gissler, Mika, Hadkhale, Kishor, Havmoeller, Rasmus, Johansson, Lars, Juliusson, Petur Benedikt, Kiadaliri, Aliasghar A., Kisa, Sezer, Kisa, Adnan, Lallukka, Tea, Mekonnen, Teferi, Meretoja, Tuomo J., Meretoja, Atte, Naghavi, Mohsen, Truc Trung Nguyen, ... Neupane, S. (2019). Life expectancy and disease burden in the Nordic countries: results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017. Lancet Public Health, 4 (12), E658-E669. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(19)30224-5
2019
Conference Publication
The association between the polygenic risk score for bipolar disorder and school grades
Ostergaard, S. D., McGrath, J. J., Mors, O., Mortensen, P. B. and Petersen, L. V. (2019). The association between the polygenic risk score for bipolar disorder and school grades. 32nd ECNP Congress, Copenhagen, Denmark, 7 - 10 September 2019. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.09.121
2019
Journal Article
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D modulates L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in a subset of neurons in the developing mouse prefrontal cortex
Gooch, Helen, Cui, Xiaoying, Anggono, Victor, Trzaskowski, Maciej, Tan, Men Chee, Eyles, Darryl W., Burne, Thomas H. J., Jang, Se Eun, Mattheisen, Manuel, Hougaard, David M., Pedersen, Bent Nørgaard, Cohen, Arieh, Mortensen, Preben B., Sah, Pankaj and McGrath, John J. (2019). 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D modulates L-type voltage-gated calcium channels in a subset of neurons in the developing mouse prefrontal cortex. Translational Psychiatry, 9 (1) 281, 281. doi: 10.1038/s41398-019-0626-z
2019
Journal Article
Developmental vitamin D and autism spectrum disorders: findings from the Stockholm Youth Cohort
Lee, Brian K., Eyles, Darryl W., Magnusson, Cecilia, Newschaffer, Craig J., McGrath, John J., Kvaskoff, David, Ko, Pauline, Dalman, Christina, Karlsson, Håkan and Gardner, Renee M. (2019). Developmental vitamin D and autism spectrum disorders: findings from the Stockholm Youth Cohort. Molecular Psychiatry, 26 (5), 1578-1588. doi: 10.1038/s41380-019-0578-y
2019
Journal Article
Association of childhood exposure to nitrogen dioxide and polygenic risk score for schizophrenia with the risk of developing schizophrenia
Horsdal, Henriette Thisted, Agerbo, Esben, McGrath, John Joseph, Vilhjálmsson, Bjarni Jóhann, Antonsen, Sussie, Closter, Ane Marie, Timmermann, Allan, Grove, Jakob, Mok, Pearl L H, Webb, Roger T., Sabel, Clive Eric, Hertel, Ole, Sigsgaard, Torben, Erikstrup, Christian, Hougaard, David Michael, Werge, Thomas, Nordentoft, Merete, Børglum, Anders Dupont, Mors, Ole, Mortensen, Preben Bo, Brandt, Jørgen, Geels, Camilla and Pedersen, Carsten Bøcker (2019). Association of childhood exposure to nitrogen dioxide and polygenic risk score for schizophrenia with the risk of developing schizophrenia. JAMA Network Open, 2 (11) e1914401, e1914401. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.14401
2019
Journal Article
Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017
Burstein, Roy, Henry, Nathaniel J., Collison, Michael L., Marczak, Laurie B., Sligar, Amber, Watson, Stefanie, Marquez, Neal, Abbasalizad-Farhangi, Mahdieh, Abbasi, Masoumeh, Abd-Allah, Foad, Abdoli, Amir, Abdollahi, Mohammad, Abdollahpour, Ibrahim, Abdulkader, Rizwan Suliankatchi, Abrigo, Michael R. M., Acharya, Dilaram, Adebayo, Oladimeji M., Adekanmbi, Victor, Adham, Davoud, Afshari, Mahdi, Aghaali, Mohammad, Ahmadi, Keivan, Ahmadi, Mehdi, Ahmadpour, Ehsan, Ahmed, Rushdia, Akal, Chalachew Genet, Akinyemi, Joshua O., Alahdab, Fares, Alam, Noore ... Hay, Simon I. (2019). Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017. Nature, 574 (7778), 353-358. doi: 10.1038/s41586-019-1545-0
2019
Journal Article
A comprehensive analysis of mortality-related health metrics associated with mental disorders: a nationwide, register-based cohort study
Plana-Ripoll, Oleguer, Pedersen, Carsten Bøcker, Agerbo, Esben, Holtz, Yan, Erlangsen, Annette, Canudas-Romo, Vladimir, Andersen, Per Kragh, Charlson, Fiona J., Christensen, Maria K., Erskine, Holly E., Ferrari, Alize J., Iburg, Kim Moesgaard, Momen, Natalie, Mortensen, Preben Bo, Nordentoft, Merete, Santomauro, Damian F., Scott, James G., Whiteford, Harvey A., Weye, Nanna, McGrath, John J. and Laursen, Thomas M. (2019). A comprehensive analysis of mortality-related health metrics associated with mental disorders: a nationwide, register-based cohort study. The Lancet, 394 (10211), 1827-1835. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)32316-5
2019
Journal Article
The association between early-onset schizophrenia with employment, income, education, and cohabitation status: nationwide study with 35 years of follow-up
Hakulinen, Christian, McGrath, John J., Timmerman, Allan, Skipper, Niels, Mortensen, Preben Bo, Pedersen, Carsten Bøcker and Agerbo, Esben (2019). The association between early-onset schizophrenia with employment, income, education, and cohabitation status: nationwide study with 35 years of follow-up. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 54 (11), 1343-1351. doi: 10.1007/s00127-019-01756-0
2019
Journal Article
Physical activity of people with mental disorders compared to the general population: a systematic review of longitudinal cohort studies
Suetani, Shuichi, Stubbs, Brendon, McGrath, John J. and Scott, James G. (2019). Physical activity of people with mental disorders compared to the general population: a systematic review of longitudinal cohort studies. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 54 (12), 1443-1457. doi: 10.1007/s00127-019-01760-4
2019
Journal Article
Cross-national patterns of substance use disorder treatment and associations with mental disorder comorbidity in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys
Harris, Meredith G., Bharat, Chrianna, Glantz, Meyer D., Sampson, Nancy A., Al-Hamzawi, Ali, Alonso, Jordi, Bruffaerts, Ronny, Caldas de Almeida, José Miguel, Cia, Alfredo H., De Girolamo, Giovanni, Florescu, Silvia, Gureje, Oye, Haro, Josep Maria, Hinkov, Hristo, Karam, Elie G., Karam, Georges, Lee, Sing, Lepine, Jean-Pierre, Levinson, Daphna, Makanjuola, Victor, McGrath, John, Mneimneh, Zeina, Navarro-Mateu, Fernando, Piazza, Marina, Posada-Villa, José, Rapsey, Charlene, Tachimori, Hisateru, Ten Have, Margreet, Torres, Yolanda ... Degenhardt, Louisa (2019). Cross-national patterns of substance use disorder treatment and associations with mental disorder comorbidity in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys. Addiction, 114 (8) add.14599, 1446-1459. doi: 10.1111/add.14599
2019
Other Outputs
A Whole-Genome Approach Discovers Novel Genetic and Non-Genetic Variance Components Modulated by Lifestyle for Cardiovascular Health
Zhou, Xuan, van der Werf, Julius, Carson-Chahhoud, Kristin, Ni, Guiyan, McGrath, John, Hyppönen, Elina and Lee, S. Hong (2019). A Whole-Genome Approach Discovers Novel Genetic and Non-Genetic Variance Components Modulated by Lifestyle for Cardiovascular Health. doi: 10.1101/700617
2019
Journal Article
Paternal-age-related de novo mutations and risk for five disorders
Taylor, Jacob L., Debost, Jean-Christophe P. G., Morton, Sarah U., Wigdor, Emilie M., Heyne, Henrike O., Lal, Dennis, Howrigan, Daniel P., Bloemendal, Alex, Larsen, Janne T., Kosmicki, Jack A., Weiner, Daniel J., Homsy, Jason, Seidman, Jonathan G., Seidman, Christine E., Agerbo, Esben, McGrath, John J., Mortensen, Preben Bo, Petersen, Liselotte, Daly, Mark J. and Robinson, Elise B. (2019). Paternal-age-related de novo mutations and risk for five disorders. Nature Communications, 10 (1) 3043, 3043. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-11039-6
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor John McGrath is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Completed supervision
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Mental Disorders and Physical Activity: Epidemiological Analyses using Australian Datasets
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James Scott
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
The mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Harvey Whiteford
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
The antecedents of schizophrenia, a birth cohort study
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Gail Williams
-
-
2007
Doctor Philosophy
AWARENESS OF MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS OF INSIGHT INTO SCHIZOPHRENIA: A COMPARISON OF PATIENTS WITH THEIR RELATIVES AND CLINICIANS
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Contrasting the Expression of Psychotic Disorders in Ethnically Different Populations
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bryan Mowry
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
The role of adult vitamin D deficiency in cognition and brain function in mice
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Thomas Burne
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Neurochemical and neurophysiological bases of executive control
Associate Advisor
-
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
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
The prevalence and correlates of psychotic-like experiences in the Australian community
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Graham Martin
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
Startle eyeblink modification: Associations with haloperidol, caffeine and nicotine in schizophrenia-spectrum and health individuals
Associate Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
INFORMATION PROCESSING AND PSYCHOSIS
Associate Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
THE ASSESSMENT OF THE DYSEXECUTIVE SYNDROME IN INDIVIDUALS WITH PSYCHOSIS
Associate Advisor
-
2002
Doctor Philosophy
THE ELECTRO-PHYSIOLOGY OF WORKING MEMORY IN SCHIZOPHRENIA
Associate Advisor
-
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
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: