Page 32 - 2017-2018 Department of Psychiatry Annual Report

Dr. Phil Tibbo: The Dr. Paul Janssen Chair in Psychotic

Disorders

The Dr. Paul Janssen Chair in adults, but importantly in early The chair also continued his research
Psychotic Disorders, Dr. Phil phase psychosis. This two-site study collaborations with colleagues on
Tibbo, continues in his mandate to is one of the first to use NODDI other funded research in early phase
lead, foster, and mentor research methodology for psychiatric research psychosis, including Dr. Derek Fisher
in psychosis and schizophrenia. in North America, a new and unique (researching MMN as a biomarker),
Under his direction the department imaging method that can better Dr. Alissa Pencer (personality factors
continues to see the breadth and characterize more complex white and motivation for cannabis use)
depth of psychosis research expand, matter configurations. Thus, the and Dr. Jacob Cookey (alcohol and
including not only the furthering of chair and his team will be employing cannabis use) locally, as well as
our understanding on the biological a pioneering assessment of the nationally ( e.g. Drs. Palaniyappan
underpinnings of psychosis, but potential outcome-modifying impact (London) and Malla (Montreal)).
investigations of novel treatment of regular cannabis use longitudinally
options, the role of substance in early phase psychosis, results that The chair and his research team
use in psychosis development, can be incorporated into targeted have published six papers, with four
service delivery, and importantly treatment strategies to maximize submitted for review in 2017/2018,
the translation of this knowledge to recovery outcomes for these young in addition to published abstracts/
various stakeholders. adults. conference proceedings at national
and international research meetings.
Since being named to the chair, Parallel and complimentary to this The chair also wrote the Canadian
Dr. Tibbo has held, as principal study, in 2017 Dr. Candace Crocker, a Psychiatric Association (CPA) position
investigator (PI), co-PI, or co- member of the chair’s research team, paper on cannabis and youth mental
investigator, 36 peer-reviewed was awarded a Dalhousie Psychiatry health (CJP 2018). Additionally the
grants, including seven CIHR grants. Research Fund (DPRF) grant titled chair has been invited to lecture
He was recently successful with Cannabis effects on white matter in across the country and internationally
a CIHR project grant (September females with early phase psychosis. on various topics associated with
2017 competition) as PI on a study While there are fewer females early phase psychosis. This includes
entitled Cannabis effects on white using regularly, those that do reach university grand rounds, Research
matter microstructure and outcomes dependence earlier, have worse side and Academic Day, provincial and
in early phase psychosis: a 1 year effects, have more difficult withdrawal national psychiatric annual meetings,
dual site longitudinal study. This symptoms and worse clinical provincial and national schizophrenia
research study aims to characterize outcomes compared to males. A sex society’s annual meetings,
the effects of cannabis on white specific investigation is extremely early intervention in psychosis
matter structure and connectivity important in our understanding of conferences, and special lectures.
(using DTI), myelin content (with these differences.
T1 mapping) and microstructural A particular focus of the chair’s
integrity (neurite orientation In addition to the above new research and knowledge translation
dispersion and density imaging studies, in the last year the chair activity has been on the effects of
(NODDI)) longitudinally. This research also continued his research in early cannabis on youth mental health
program applied longitudinally is phase psychosis services delivery (e.g. weedmyths.ca). Recognized
positioned to establish or refute the with CIHR and NSHA TRIC (level for cannabis and young adult
adverse effect of cannabis use on 3) supported research in transitions mental health expertise, the chair
the brain’s connectional architecture of care (including peer support had been invited as an expert
and associated outcome measures, research), as well as a DPRF funded consultant/speaker to various levels
not only in otherwise healthy young investigation of engagement to care. of government and governmental

32 DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY