Research at HCPC

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This is a time of great opportunity for research in psychiatry. Rapid advances in basic science have increased our knowledge of how the brain works. We must discover how to apply that knowledge to gain a better understanding of mental illness, to translate that understanding to better treatments, and to find ways to use those treatments to improve the lives of our patients.

Research at UTHCPC focuses on the major illnesses that afflict our patients: bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression. In each case, our goals are:

1. to determine the mechanisms of the behavioral disorders that underlie the illnesses: disturbances of thinking and mood, disorders of impulsivity, motivation, or aggression;
2. to find better ways to identify patients with the illnesses;
3. to develop predictors of treatment response, including characteristics of the patient or of the patient's history to help predict which treatments will work, and early changes that can tell us whether treatment will be successful;
4. to develop new treatments for major illnesses;
5. to determine the best uses for both new and older treatments.

In order to meet these needs, we carry out brain imaging studies, behavioral studies, clinical outcome studies, and treatment trials. The progress we make in these areas will improve our ability to care for our patients.

Even the most severely ill patients spend most of their time outside the hospital. A patient's experience in UTHCPC should have a favorable impact beyond the relatively short time that he or she spends here. Therefore, our research will focus increasingly on studies that combine inpatient treatment with outpatient follow-up, during which the individual's quality of life and ability to function, as well as freedom from relapse of illness, is monitored

Persons participating in research studies at The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center have an opportunity to participate on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Some outpatient studies are conducted with our sister institution, The University of Texas Mental Sciences Institute.

Inpatient studies range in stay from two to four weeks. Outpatient studies range from several weeks to longer. Follow-up care is available for those involved in research studies.

Studies are available for children, adolescents and adults.

For current studies, call (713) 741-3951