Professor Cyndi Shannon Weickert
Senior Principal Research Scientist (Conjoint)
Studies show that more than half of all Australians will experience mental illness in their lifetime.
From schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, to cancer-related cognitive impairment and depression, our world-leading researchers bring together multiple disciplines, perspectives and approaches to develop new solutions for psychosis, inflammation-associated disorders and stress-related conditions.
Brain development in children and adolescents with schizophrenia
Genetics of schizophrenia
Causes and biomarkers of schizophrenia
Atypical brain development in schizophrenia
Role of hormones in schizophrenia
New treatments for schizophrenia
Schizophrenia and depression
Impact of inflammation in schizophrenia
Genetics and epigenetics of bipolar disorder
Rare variants which increase risk to bipolar
Cancer–related cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression
Autism and neuroinflammation
Our aim is to help create a world where mental illness is better understood, effectively treated and ultimately prevented.
Schizophrenia affects one in 100 Australians and roughly 20 million people worldwide. For 70-80 per cent of people with schizophrenia, it is a chronic, lifelong condition. Current treatments for schizophrenia are focused only on alleviating psychosis – just one aspect of the condition, are ineffective in approximately 30 per cent of patients, and often have severe side effects. Our schizophrenia researchers, led by Prof Cyndi Shannon Weickert, are determined to change that by classifying and defining biological subgroups within the diagnosis. Once those biologically informed subgroups are defined, we can develop precision treatments that will be more effective for individuals in those subgroups across the major psychiatric illnesses.
Bipolar disorder is also a major psychiatric illness, affecting around one per cent of the population worldwide. The condition is characterised by periods of depression and mania, and is sometimes accompanied by psychosis. While no single cause is known, the risk of bipolar disorder is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Our research looks at the role that genes play in how bipolar disorder develops and how it is inherited.
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Neuroscience Research Australia respectfully acknowledges the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we stand and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.