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Archive
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2021
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January
- Fellows award for Dr Katherine Young for work on the mental health of young people during and after the pandemic
- NEWS2 evaluated for prediction of severe COVID-19 outcome in large international study
- SIREN study finds past COVID-19 infection provides some immunity for at least five months
- Interview with Miguel Vasconcelos Da Silva
- COVID-19 lockdown loneliness linked to more depressive symptoms in older adults
- The significant effect of lockdown on gambler’s mental health
- Antibiotic may improve outcomes for depression in people with low level inflammation
- Novavax trial reveals 89.3% effectiveness in preventing COVID-19
- Case studies
- February
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March
- Deciphering the genetics behind eating disorders
- NIHR appoints Senior Investigators for 2021
- Depression and anxiety are associated with disagreement between patient and doctor assessments of psoriasis severity.
- Professor Peter Goadsby awarded world’s top Brain Prize 2021
- Interview with Dr Parisa Mansoori
- New study highlights the urgent need to reduce inflammation in overweight people with depression
- Novavax confirms vaccine provides 100% protection against severe COVID-19
- NIHR welcomes new vision for the Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery
- COVID-19 pandemic leads to rapid uptake of remote consultations in mental healthcare
- April
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January
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2020
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January
- BRC researchers on the Highly Cited list doubles to twenty
- CRIS Blog: Are we under-estimating self-harm rates due to differences in hospital admittance procedures?
- BRC Researchers celebrated at the King’s Awards
- New study finds evidence for reduced brain connections in schizophrenia
- Exposure to trauma ‘activates’ genes into causing depression
- Nurses in research blog: Emma and Naomi
- New findings on the effects of cannabidiol on people with psychosis
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February
- New centre of excellence for children and young people's mental health launched
- High volumes of mental health-related tweets associated with crisis referrals
- Call opens to drive the future of health data research
- CRIS Blog: Answering real-world questions about medication and mental health through pharmacoepidemiology
- CRIS Blog: Appropriate use of healthcare records for research
- CRIS Blog: Artificial Intelligence and Data in Suicide Prevention
- Largest ever study of eating disorders launches in England
- C4C research register now totals 20,000 people
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March
- Georgia’s research secondment
- Study finds that Community Treatment Orders do not reduce hospital readmission rates or stays
- 10,000 people could benefit from new migraine drug
- Thirty risk factors found during and after pregnancy for children developing psychosis
- Heroin injection associated with respiratory disorder
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April
- Researchers appeal to public for help to assess mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
- CRIS Blog: CRIS in the time of coronavirus
- Depression and anxiety increase premature death by up to 134%
- Mental health and brain research must be a higher priority in global response to tackle COVID-19 pandemic
- Stories from our students: Becki
- COPE Study: Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and well-being
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May
- Thought provoking men’s mental health film released
- Animated parenting tips for struggling households
- Researchers track COVID-19 isolation effects on older people’s health and wellbeing
- From Babylonian blood-letting practices to wearable tech, new film on the evolution of depression perceptions and treatment
- Patient and public recommendations for getting involved in BRC research
- Cognitive behavioural therapy reduces the impact of dissociative seizures
- Mind the Gap 17-25: A diagnosis doesn’t define you
- Sarah Markham writes about her experiences in research
- Covid-19 Psychiatry and Neurological Genetics (COPING) study
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June
- Trial testing a unique formulation of ibuprofen to treat COVID-19 launches
- New study to monitor the real-time effect of COVID-19 on mental health services
- Introducing the CRIS Natural Language Processing (NLP) Service
- Study shows Cognitive Remediation Therapy leads to improvement in cognitive skills and well-being in people with bipolar disorder
- New Research Training and Capacity Development lead announced
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July
- Growing numbers of alcohol related hospital admissions linked to local spending cuts
- ACE inhibitors and ARBs not associated with severity of Coronavirus
- Data linkages animation explores the evolution of healthcare records in research
- Study estimates impact of COVID-19 pandemic on UK mental health after first month of lockdown
- Genes related to inflammation and stress may help tailor treatments for depression
- Can wearables like Fitbit devices be used to help detect COVID-19?
- Lithium in drinking water linked with lower suicide rates
- August
- September
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October
- Loss of potential: teens diagnosed with depression show reduction in educational achievement from primary school to GCSE
- £1.2 million to roll-out dementia care home programme to COVID-hit sector
- NIHR announces mental health research goals for next decade
- Rosalind helps researchers navigate personal health data
- An interview with Dr Ndaba Mazibuko
- National study into neurological impact of COVID-19
- Study supports link between traffic-related air pollution and mental disorders
- How our eLIXIR research database helps reduce risk of health problems in mothers and children
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November
- Dr Helen Munn new chair of External Scientific Advisory Board
- An interview with Dr Anoushka Leslie
- 18 BRC Researchers Amongst Most Highly Cited in World
- Using patient data to understand service use and improve care during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Experts call for new consensus on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
- December
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January
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2019
- January
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February
- Eating a healthy diet can ease symptoms of depression
- CRIS Blog: Pathfinders and the public
- NIHR Maudsley BRC researchers host dementia discussion in collaboration with South London Theatre
- Could intranasal oxytocin be used to treat people at clinically high risk of psychosis?
- CRIS blog: Using data on hospital episodes to look at the physical health of people with personality disorders
- Cannabis-based medicine to be tested in Alzheimer's trial
- Largest ever study of depression and anxiety now recruiting individuals from Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales
- March
- April
- May
- June
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July
- One in ten UK hospital inpatients is alcohol dependent
- CRIS Blog: Art and Value at Bethlem Gallery: an art-science collaboration with Sarah Carpenter and CRIS
- Genetic study reveals metabolic origins of anorexia
- Compensatory strategies to disguise autism spectrum disorder may delay diagnosis and have negative consequences for mental health
- Close monitoring essential to ensure safety of ketamine for depression
- August
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September
- Six BRC academics promoted to new positions, including two new professorships
- CRIS Blog: Medichec - A tool to make prescribing safer for people with dementia
- Study gets under way to test psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression
- 'An inspiring day': BRC community gathers to share knowledge at conference
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October
- CRIS Blog: CRIS data demonstrates need for better physical healthcare for people who use heroin
- SURE Recovery: the new addiction recovery app designed alongside service users
- Our first ever artist residency to kick off with Afrobeat and Dub gig in South London
- Expert panel examines barriers faced by working class academics
- December
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2018
- January
- February
- March
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April
- UK Biobank mental health study
- CRIS blog: Using CRIS to evaluate mental health diagnoses in routine national statistics
- Engaging in physical activity decreases people’s chance of developing depression
- Unprecedented study identifies 44 genetic risk factors for major depression
- New research: Hospitals often missing dementia despite prior diagnosis
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
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November
- 2018 Takeover Challenge
- CRIS blog: The future of psychiatry research
- CRIS blog: Do long-term prescriptions of multiple antipsychotics contribute to the reduced life expectancy of patients with serious mental illness?
- Improving dementia care and treatment saves thousands of pounds in care homes
- New service in south London reduces hospital readmissions for people with bipolar disorder
- Ten BRC researchers and academics among most cited in the world
- Students 'take over' the BRC
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December
- Computers can ‘spot the difference’ between healthy brains and the brains of people with Dissociative Identity Disorder
- Service User Advisory Group for 12-16-year-olds
- New Clinical Disorders and Health Behaviours cluster lead announced
- Blog: The SLG Arts Assassins collaborate with the BRC
- Professor Matthew Hotopf receives CBE at Buckingham Palace
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2017
- January
- February
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March
- Professor Robert Stewart awarded ‘Collaborate to Innovate’ project
- NIHR Maudsley BRC researchers receive Senior Investigator awards
- Research blog: Using social media to recognise mental health conditions
- Department of Health Chief Scientific Adviser Chris Whitty visits Maudsley BRC
- NIHR Maudsley BRC commences five-year research programme
- IMPARTS Seminar Learning from experience
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April
- New research highlights higher hospitalisation rates in people with intellectual disabilities
- Digital Technology for Mental Health: Asking the right questions
- Maudsley becomes London’s Global Digital Exemplar
- CRIS blog: An online risk calculator to identify candidates for early intervention services
- May
- June
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July
- NIHR Maudsley BRC researcher wins award to understand suicide warning signs in children
- Who are the NIHR? #WeAreNIHR
- Brain stimulation may improve cognitive performance in people with schizophrenia
- Risk for bipolar disorder associated with faster ageing
- Omega-3 fatty acids improve symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD
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August
- South London and Maudsley tops NIHR league table for number of active research studies
- Connecting care homes with research
- Research blog: Using advanced search technologies to help manage infectious disease outbreaks
- A&E attendance for people with dementia is common and increasing
- Event: Seminar on dementia art project "Beyond Memories"
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November
- Professor Oliver Howes receives Royal College of Psychiatrists Award
- First network analysis of patient flow in two UK hospitals published
- Honorary Degree for Professor Dame Til Wykes
- Concentrated naloxone nasal spray as good as injection
- Professor Matthew Hotopf appointed Vice Dean
- Potential for machine learning to predict unknown adverse drug reactions
- Complications at birth associated with lasting chemical changes in the brain
- Study examines opiate-dependent patient deaths
- NIHR Lectureship awarded
- Treatment cuts migraine days by half
- December
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2016
- January
- February
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March
- CRIS Blog: Serious Mental Illness and Pregnancy
- Kings world-class contribution to understanding of clozapine
- Research blog: PROMPT project reveals complex profile of people using psychological therapy services
- Tony David John Toulmin Lecture
- Crick synapse event
- IMPARTS Seminar Harnessing digital technology in mental and physical healthcare
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April
- CRIS blog: Eight years on
- Experts call for greater recognition of little-known forms of dementia
- Event: Clinical Research Facility Research Forum
- Ewan Birney MRC SGDP Seminar
- Al Chalabi Sheila Essey Award
- Event Pint of Science 2016
- RADAR CNS smartphone wearable devices transform medical care
- Cardiovascular drug underprescribing
- Consultation reveals better integration between physical & mental health physicians as top priority
- Prestigious Fellowships awarded to BRC researchers
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May
- Dermatology clinic psychology screening project shortlisted for BMJ Awards
- Independent Researcher Awards 2016
- BMJ Award for team who are incorporating mental health service into dermatology clinic
- Research blog systematic biases in death certification
- Event launch of new collaboration for digital innovation in mental health
- Victoria Derbyshire show inheritance mental illness
- BRC spin out Mindwave launches
- Research blog: Learning how to be a critical friend to researchers
- Research blog International Clinical Trials Day
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June
- Blood test to personalise depression treatment for the first time
- Centre for Translational Informatics launches
- Professor John Strang receives Knighthood
- Film mental health summer school
- Mental health hackday - your help needed
- Research blog: Trialling an online tool to help women make decisions about antidepressants in pregnancy
- Data linkage group your help needed
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July
- CRIS blog: Investigating the impact of antipsychotic medications used to treat people with serious mental illness
- Research blog Maudsley BRC part of winning team at NIHR training camp
- Neuroimaging theme research funding
- NIHR Maudsley BRC announces 2016 Youth Awards winners
- Event: Illusions A window to your brain
- August
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September
- Matthew Hotopf wins prestigious Katon Research Award
- IMPARTS shortlisted for HSJ award
- NIHR Maudsley BRC receives £66m new investment from government
- NIHR Maudsley BRC researchers win prestigious awards
- Event NIHR i4i Programme Mental Health Challenge Awards Launch
- Genetic tests could help predict which psychosis patients will develop schizophrenia
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October
- BRC leaders receive academic promotions
- Event No Exchange, Same Pain, No Gain - Risk-Reward of Wearable Healthcare Disclosure for Receiving Pain Treatment
- C4C recruits 10k
- Research blog: How fatty clues in the blood are improving our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease
- Early intervention shows promising long-term reduction in severity of autism symptoms
- Bringing mental health education to a classroom of 300
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November
- South London and Maudsley rated top mental health trust for recruiting patients to clinical studies
- Mental Health & Technology: Ideas Generation Workshop
- NIHR i4i mental health challenge launch
- UK Government announces £4m investment in NIHR Wellcome Trust King’s Clinical Research Facility
- NIHR Maudsley BRC PhD student wins International Society for the History of Neurosciences book prize
- NIHR Maudsley BRC's takeover challenge
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December
- Event Suicide detection and prevention using mobile technology, social media and informatics
- Event Misconceptions and Reconceptualisations in Digital Mental Health
- Research blog: Defining treatment resistance in schizophrenia
- Mental health needs of baby boomers covered in new report from England’s Chief Medical Officer
- 2015
CRIS Blog: Introducing the CRIS Natural Language Processing (NLP) Service
This blog was written by Dr Anna Kolliakou, Clinical Informatics Interface and Network Lead, and Professor Rob Stewart, Clinical and Population Informatics Lead at the NIHR Maudsley BRC.
Since our launch back in 2008, the Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) has enabled and supported researchers and clinicians to study the health records of the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust through a governance framework that ensures patient anonymity and places service users at its core. This has revolutionised mental health research by using exceptionally large volumes of records with unprecedented levels of detail.
Solving unstructured data
The greatest potential of the health record however also poses its biggest challenge. When we began CRIS research nearly 12 years ago, it was immediately clear that the information we could use was limited to that recorded in ‘structured’ fields – such as dates, numbers and dropdown lists (e.g. age and gender).
A lot of the most important informationwas contained in ‘unstructured’ free text – for example, routine case notes written by healthcare professionals or correspondence with other professionals (e.g. GPs) involved in the delivery and continuation of care. From an early stage we knew that ‘unlocking’ information from clinical records text could hugely enhance the scope and quality of CRIS research.
Automatically extracting information from health records text is inherently difficult – different expressions are used to describe the same thing, spelling and typing errors are inevitable, abbreviations are very common, and the eccentricities of the English language are very much a feature.
Early on, researchers wishing to utilise text information had to read and code it manually, a time-consuming process that limited studies to only a small percentage of the hundreds of thousands of case notes contained within CRIS. We had therefore identified and enabled access to a uniquely rich source of data but were still far from achieving an efficient method to use it for better research.
Over the last decade and collaborating particularly with our Computer Science colleagues at the University of Sheffield, we have worked steadily to apply natural language processing techniques which allow us to access and use information from health records text.
Natural language processing
Natural language processing is a broad field encompassing the interaction between computers and human languages and our particular implementation of it has involved training programs to recognise specific details from the text: for example, a medication being taken, or a symptom being reported. This approach began to transform the way we categorised clinical notes for systematic access and research.
Driven by the demands of emerging research and clinical requirements and with full access to the 30 million documents available in the CRIS database, we are proud to share our library of over 70 of these natural language applications.
These automatically process the health record text and extract information of importance for research, including that related to symptoms such as insomnia or hallucinations, contextual factors that may affect illness progression such as illicit drug use, interventions such as medications and several psychotherapies, and physical health outcomes such as blood pressure.
We believe that this is a world-first in terms of the depth of information now available for mental health research.
Working in practice
An example of using these applications is when Dr Marcella Fok and colleagues wanted to investigate levels of acute general hospital use in people who had received mental healthcare for personality disorders. A barrier was that personality disorders are not often recorded in diagnostic fields in mental healthcare records. Therefore, a supplementary natural language processing application was used to ascertain cases.
The application was able to identify 47% more cases than if only the diagnostic field had been utilised. Coupled with a data linkage with hospital admissions information, this enabled the research team to establish that people with personality disorder had a higher risk of hospitalisation for a range of conditions, including circulatory, respiratory, digestive, musculoskeletal and infectious disorders.
Future work
The advanced text-mining capabilities we have established, and will continue to develop, have made possible the leading research that is undertaken using our CRIS platform. We are also hoping that this can be increasingly implemented by other mental health trusts to gain information from the text of their own clinical records, allowing better response to research and clinical priorities.
We are privileged to be able to offer these resources to our fellow academics, researchers and clinicians and look forward to making individual and collective strides in better understanding the nature of mental health disorders and their successful treatment and care.
Tags: CRIS -
By NIHR Maudsley BRC at 22 Jun 2020, 13:03 PM
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