Aims and objectives

We aim to improve child and adolescent mental health by the development of more effective identification, prevention and treatment approaches, based on the multi-disciplinary and collaborative scientific study of causal processes underlying the development of disorder, using cutting edge methods. This approach requires a strong connection between research and evidence based assessment and treatment for the benefit of patients and their families.

Focus areas

1. Epidemiological Research
2. Dimensional Neuropsychiatry
3. Early intervention and clinical trials

Disciplines, methods and tools

Both clinical observations, brain mapping and genetic studies have recently focused on examining underlying features and dimensions that can be disturbed in the individual child across diagnostic boundaries.

A deeper understanding of the underlying features will offer new perspectives on the opportunities for early identification, prevention and treatment in a developmental context and in longitudinal studies.

Our transdiagnostic research framework uses categorical and dimensional clinical measures (diagnostic interviews, questionnaires), methods of brain mapping (anatomical and functional MRI, EEG), and basic biological measures to characterize children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as individuals at risk for developing a psychiatric disorder–either due to a familial predisposition or due to emerging symptoms. 

Useful links

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre