Professor of Experimental PsychologyDepartment of Psychology

Veena Kumari

PSYCHOSISPSYCHOSISImproving Treatment OutcomeImproving Treatment Outcome

• CBTp reduces brain responses to social threat. (Kumari et al., 2011, Brain)(Kumari et al., 2011, Brain)

• CBTp non-responders have smaller hippocampus. (Premkumar et al, 2009, Schiz Res)(Premkumar et al, 2009, Schiz Res)

• Lower prefrontal activity predicts poor CBTp response. (Kumari et al. 2009, Biological Psychiatry)(Kumari et al. 2009, Biological Psychiatry)

• Enhanced frontal response with atypical antipsychotics. Enhanced frontal response with atypical antipsychotics. (Ettinger et al., 2011, Psychopharmacology)(Ettinger et al., 2011, Psychopharmacology)

1. Biological and behavioural changes following psychological and biological therapies

2. Characteristics of schizophrenia patients who show insufficient response

3. New / modified strategies for poor responders

Recent FindingsRecent Findings

SEX, DRUGS & PSYCHOSISSEX, DRUGS & PSYCHOSIS

1. Ovarian hormones and schizophrenia

2. Ovarian hormones and response to antipsychotics

• Sex differences in prepulse inhibition of the startle response in healthy young, but not older samples (Kumari, 2011 Curr. Top. Behav. Neurosci.; Kumari et al., 2008, Psychoneuropharmacology )(Kumari, 2011 Curr. Top. Behav. Neurosci.; Kumari et al., 2008, Psychoneuropharmacology )

• Antipsychotic-like effect of progesterone in this model (Kumari et al., 2010, Psychoneuropharmacology)(Kumari et al., 2010, Psychoneuropharmacology)

Recent FindingsRecent Findings

1. Brain abnormalities and violent behaviour in SZ and APD

2. Psychobiological abnormalities and treatment outcome in mentally disordered offenders

3. New / modified treatment strategies for poor outcome offenders

VIOLENCE IN MENTAL DISORDERSVIOLENCE IN MENTAL DISORDERS Neurobiology and Treatment OutcomeNeurobiology and Treatment Outcome

• Opposite pattern of neural and behavioural response to Opposite pattern of neural and behavioural response to anticipated threat in SZ and APD anticipated threat in SZ and APD ((Kumari et al., 2009, Schiz Res)Kumari et al., 2009, Schiz Res)

• Differential cognitive and neural deficits in SZ and APD Differential cognitive and neural deficits in SZ and APD (e.g. (e.g. Barkataki et al., 2008, Behav Sci Law; Narayan et al., 2007, Am J PsychiatryBarkataki et al., 2008, Behav Sci Law; Narayan et al., 2007, Am J Psychiatry ))

Recent FindingsRecent Findings