NAMI Examines Pivotal of Research in Recovery from Severe Mental Illness at Annual Convention

Posted on July 15, 1998

Washington, D.C. - Research continues to fuel the dramatic breakthroughs and scientific advancements in the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of serious brain disorders that are helping millions of Americans recover from the once crippling effects of severe mental illness. As a result the allocation of research funding has come under increasing debate.

Steven Hyman, M.D., director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Herbert Pardes, M.D., vice president of health services for Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and E. Fuller Torrey, M.D., director of the NAMI Research - all leading researchers of severe mental illness and decision makers in how funds will be spent - open discussions on Friday, July 17th, at the annual convention of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), the nation's leading grassroots advocacy organization solely dedicated to improving the lives of those with severe mental illnesses. The recurrent theme for Friday's activities is the critical role of research in the treatment of and recovery from severe mental illness.

A number of research tracks - ranging from the latest findings on schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders, and early onset of mental illness in children and adolescents - will be featured throughout the day. Additionally, ten of the nation's leading researchers and clinicians will share their knowledge of the latest efforts to treat and defeat severe mental illness in several "Ask the Doctor" sessions. New research on genetics, managing medications as well as specific disorders will be discussed.

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter also will discuss her new book, Helping Someone with Mental Illness, and recent research and public awareness efforts by the prestigious Carter Center to better understand the true nature of serious brain disorders.

NAMI's convention is being held from Wednesday, July 15 through Saturday, July 18, 1998. Media interested in covering any session or event must receive credentials in the NAMI Press Room, located in the Bancroft Room on the Terrace Level of the hotel. The Press Room will be opened July 15-18, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WHEN: Friday, July 17

WHERE: Washington Hilton and Towers Hotel; 1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Detailed agenda for Friday, July 17

8:30 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. International Ballroom

DISCOVERY PLENARY

The allocation of research funding is a key component to improved treatments, prevention and ultimate cures of severe mental illnesses. Speakers will share their views on research priorities for treatment gains and the most promising and important areas of research into severe mental illnesses.

Moderator:

Daniel Greenberg, journalist, Science and Government Report

Speakers:

Steven Hyman, M.D., director of NIMH

Herbert Pardes, M.D., vice president for health services, Columbia University

College of Physicians and Surgeons

E. Fuller Torrey, M.D., director, NAMI Research Institute

**********RESEARCH TRACKS***************

10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

International Ballroom

Schizophrenia discussion will encompass neuropsychology and cognitive performance; neuroanatomy and neurodevelopmental theory; and treatment advances.

Moderator:

Steven M. Mirin, M.D., medical director, American Psychiatric Association, Washington, D.C.

Speakers:

Joseph Coyle, M.D., chairman, Consolidated Department of Psychiatry, Harvard medical School,

Belmont, MA

Raquel Gur, M.D., professor of psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA

Jeffrey A. Lieberman, M.D., chair, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, School of

Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC

International Ballroom West

Mood Disorders discussion will encompass epidemiology, genetic aspects, and treatment advances.

Moderator:

Lydia Lewis, executive director, National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association, Chicago, IL

Speakers:

William Eaton, Ph.D., Department of Mental Hygiene, School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

John Rush, M.D., professor, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Lincoln Room

Anxiety Disorders discussion will encompass etiology and pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder, biology of panic disorders, and treatment advances for anxiety disorders.

Moderator:

Robert Desimone, Ph.D., scientific director, NIMH, Bethesda, MD

Speakers:

Jerilyn Ross, M.A., L.I.C.S.W., president, Anxiety Disorders Association of America, Washington, D.C.

Susan Swedo, M.D., chief, Pediatrics and Developmental Neuropsychiatry Branch, NIMH, Bethesda, MD

Thomas Uhde, M.D., chair, Department of Psychiatry, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

Georgetown Room

Child and Adolescent Disorders discussion will encompass bipolar and co-morbid disorders, developmental disorders, childhood schizophrenia, and juvenile mania.

Moderator:

Virginia Anthony, executive director, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,

Washington, D.C.

Speakers:

Joseph Biederman, M.D., chief, Joint Program in Pediatric Psychopharmacology, Harvard Medical

School, Boston, MA

Barbara Geller, M.D., professsor, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Charles Gordon, child psychiatrist, Rockville, MD

Rob Nicholson, M.D., researcher, Child Psychiatry Branch, NIMH, Bethesda, MD

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

International Ballroom

BRIDGE TO RECOVERY PLENARY

More than half of individuals with schizophrenia receive substandard care. The results of a landmark study released earlier this year on the treatment of schizophrenia will be discussed and what health care systems should be implemented to ensure better care and potential recovery.

Speaker:

Anthony Lehman, M.D., professor psychiatry and director, Center for Mental Health Services Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD

{Note: Dr. Lehman will be presented with NAMI's Distinguished Service Award for his leading role in the landmark Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) study.}

Special Guest:

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter who will discuss her new book, Helping Someone with Mental Illness, and recent efforts by the prestigious Carter Center to raise public awareness and end the stigma associated with severe mental illness.

{Note: Mrs. Carter will be signing copies of her book from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the International Terrace.}

**********ASK THE DOCTOR SESSIONS***************

3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

International Ballroom

New Research on Schizophrenia

Moderator:

Jackie Shannon, first vice president, NAMI Board of Directors, San Angelo, TX

Speaker:

Jeffrey Lieberman, M.D., chair, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC

Jefferson Room

New Research on Bipolar Disorder

Moderator:

Annie Saylor, Ph.D., president, NAMI Board of Directors, Huntsville, AL

Speaker:

Matthew Rudorfer, M.D., acting associate director for treatment research, Division of Services and Intervention Research, NIMH, Rockville, MD

International Ballroom West

New Research on Depression

Moderator:

Anne Sheffield, author, New York, NY

Speaker:

John Rush, M.D., professor, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Monroe Room

Managing Medications

Moderator:

Silvia Arias, member, NAMI Board of Directors, Old San Juan, PR

Speaker:

Peter Weiden, M.D., director, Inpatient Psychiatric Services, St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY

Lincoln West Room

New Research on Panic and Anxiety

Moderator:

Gerald Tarutis, Esq., member, NAMI Board of Directors, Seattle, WA

Speaker:

Thomas Uhde, M.D., chair, Department of Psychiatry, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

- More -

Lincoln East Room

New Research on Borderline Personality Disorder

Moderator:

J. Rock Johnson, Esq., member, NAMI Board of Directors, Lincoln, NE

Speaker:

Rex Cowdry, M.D., senior scientific advisor, American Association of Health Plans, Washington, D.C.

Hemisphere Room

New Research on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Moderator:

Sue Davis, secretary, NAMI Board of Directors, Scottsdale, AZ

Speaker:

Susan Swedo, M.D., chief, Pediatrics and Developmental Neuropsychiatry Branch, NIMH, Bethesda, MD

Cabinet Room

New Research on Dual Diagnosis

Moderator:

Laurie Flynn, executive director, NAMI, Arlington, VA

Speaker:

Alan Leshner, Ph.D., director, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Rockville, MD

Military Room

New Research on Children and Adolescents

Moderator:

Andrea Eberle, M.D., member, NAMI Board of Directors, Omaha, NE

Speaker:

David Fassler, M.D., psychiatrist, Otter Creek Associates, Burlington, VT

Thoroughbred Room

New Research on Genetics

Moderator:

Laura Lee Hall, Ph.D., director of research, NAMI, Arlington, VA

Speaker:

Sam Barondes, M.D., director, Center for Neurobiology and Psychiatry, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

- More -

5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Monroe Room

NOURISHING THE BRAIN: NUTRITION'S ROLE IN MENTAL ILLNESS

The only raw materials for making serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters are nutrients and the brain and nervous system are dependent on them for optimal functioning. The depletion, excess, or inactivation of any nutrient can adversely affect mental health. Experts will explain how nutrients affect persons with severe mental illness and how proper and continuous supplies of them benefit an individual's recovery.

8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lincoln Room

MAKING TREATMENT MORE ACCESSIBLE THROUGH LEGAL REFORM

To ensure that quality, accessible care is available for persons suffering from severe brain disorders, existing treatment and commitment laws must change. Experts in the fields of law and severe mental illness will discuss the social policies and legal theories behind the evolution of current laws, and more important, due to recent scientific advancements will discuss their future development given the outdated theories used to develop the old laws.

Moderator:

Mary Zdanowicz, Esq., executive director, NAMI Treatment Advocacy Center, Arlington, VA

Speakers:

S. Jan Brakel, J.D., vice president, Administration and Legal Affairs, Issac Ray Center, Inc., Chicago, IL

Xavier Armador, Ph.D., professor, Columbia University, New York, NY

Paul Stavis, Esq., counsel, New York State Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled,

Albany, NY