Presentation
...
5
Introduction ...
6
CIBERSAM Innovation ...
9
Internal Organization ...
10
Scientific Activity
...
17
Calls and Projects ...
18
Transversal Areas ...
24
Figures and News
...
45
CIBERSAM in figures ...
46
CIBERSAM in the News ...
54
Research Areas
...
61
Depression ...
62
Schizophrenia ...
64
Bipolar Disorder...
66
PRESENTATION
Introduction ...5
CIBERSAM Innovation ...9
Internal Organization ... 10
Introduction
T
hree years after its establishment, the Mental Health CIBER (CIBERSAM) has largely attained the objectives set at the beginning of our project’s course. This annual report shows how in a short period of time we have succeeded in that the main mental health research groups of our country participate in joint objectives. It also bears witness to the fact that, apart from a national collaboration between clinical and basic groups, the common effort has resulted in our internationalization via the cooperation with other European mental health networks, especially through initiatives funded by the 7th Framework Programme.In 2010, we have changed our working strategy per areas to a set of pathology programmes, enhancing and adding cross areas. This means that, although the groups carry out research not directly embedded in the
CIBER’s mission, only the collaborative elements, those that take advantage from CIBERSAM’s structure, will be fostered. In the 2011 annual strategy, we go on identifying evaluable indicators for each one of the areas, platforms, joint projects and training, all of them being more and more ambitious in spite of the economic context and the granted funds.
Some platforms have steadied themselves, as for instance the Bank of Instruments, which is providing a good service to the intramural and extramural scientific community, and the DNA platform, which is gathering a considerable amount of samples and this makes us highly competitive among international consortia. The GRIDSAM tool, which allows entering data in multiple centre projects, has been transformed into a grid system that makes a centralized capture of data, allowing thus a more efficient data mining. This system is already being used in multiple centre projects and allows the researchers to have an easier access to an important amount of data. It not only facilitates the data management, but also can be used to carry out concept tests that later on can be checked through studies designed for those purposes.
We are particularly proud of our increasingly prolific participation in European projects within programmes such as the 7th Framework Programme, DG-SANCO, Marie Curie, IMI, among others. This year we have obtained several projects of the ERANET-Neuron mental health call. After having impelled the “Madrid Statement”, available in our website (www.cibersam.es) and in our 2009 annual report, we have succeeded
Being aware of the need to communicate our findings to society, one of the cross areas that we have fostered is the institutional relations and communication area, to which Dr. Miquel Bernardo has been appointed. During 2010, we have intensified our relationship with families and patients associations. We organized the CIBERSAM Social Forum, which gathered the most relevant associations of families and patients along with CIBERSAM researchers. In this meeting we had the opportunity to explain CIBERSAM’s activities and to have a first-hand report by the associations about the perceived needs and areas to be improved in mental health research. In 2010, CIBERSAM frequently appeared in the media. We have constantly improved our website so as to make it more intuitive and to provide the users, network members as well as CIBERSAM outsiders, with more information.
As for the management area, the quality accreditation has been renewed for all administrative procedures in purchasing and staff management. Moreover, we have improved a software allowing the people in charge of administration to do a non-centralized management of the groups’ projects and budgets, with real time monitoring and limiting the use of paper only to legally compulsive cases. Likewise, this software facilitates the automated elaboration of annual reports as well as the annual evaluation of the CIBERSAM groups.
It is evident that there are many challenges ahead and that the current context, with its budget limitations, makes it difficult to keep the cruising speed we had up to now. In spite of the decreasing public funding, we will only be able to progress with a higher efficiency in the scientific management of the granted funds. We must also actively look for other funding resources. This was an attained objective in 2010 due to the agreements reached with different private companies. Finally, we can only have a stable research structure through a dynamic model, away from the public research centre classic model of our country. For this purpose, it is necessary to facilitate, on the one hand, that the less productive groups and with a lesser added value to CIBER leave the consortium and, on the other hand, that those outside groups having enough credentials and willing to become members be included in our institution.
The current economic crisis must strengthen us and we must turn this budget decrease into an opportunity to increase our efficiency, excellence, and alternative fund raising. It is only in this way that we will be able to keep the splendid cruising speed attained during our first three years. With no vertigo.
Innovation in Cibersam
Nowadays, the word innovation has become a magic word about which everybody wants to talk. In our field, it basically stands for the process that allows translating the object of our research into a genuine knowledge that brings improvements in the clinical practice and, therefore, in the mental health of our society and its citizens. With this view, in CIBERSAM we try to promote an innovation culture in all research areas. A good example would be the creation of a new programme of therapeutic innovation in which a large number of groups participates. This innovation process must be continuous. This continuity has allowed our institution to become a national reference in the short term and to transcend now to an international level. The creation or modification of useful products for society is directly connected to the mission and the perspective of our CIBER. In this Annual Report, at the end of each research group record, the main innovative contributions in 2010 are presented.
CIBERSAM aims to generate a translation between clinic and knowledge fields such as Neuropharmacology, Genetics, Imaging, Epidemiology or Biochemistry, which results in a better understanding of mental disorders. In order to achieve this, we are totally aware that we must make a symbiosis with the private business sector. In line with this, since the consortium was created, 17 agreements have been reached between CIBERSAM and private companies.
Innovation, transmission, and transference in relation with products as well as with processes —as in the new therapeutic targets with a specific programme in our CIBER since 2010— are elements that must focus not only on searching molecules with new action mechanisms, but also on searching new diagnosis, detection, assessment and prognosis techniques, non pharmacologic therapeutic approaches or imaging technology. An example of all this would be the participation of CIBERSAM groups, for instance Dr. Artiga’s, in the European initiative IMI to develop new therapeutic targets. This project is half sponsored by private companies and by the European Commission.
The combination public-private sector is the most efficient way to turn ideas into patents and to obtain funds from the research that has been carried out. This is the philosophy of other countries that have increased their research budget, even in a situation of economical crisis, since they are convinced that this is the only way to generate wealth in the medium term.
We are committed in going on innovating with the ultimate aim of having the feeling of being more useful to society and, thus, of doing what we really like.
In 2010, the
CIBERSAM
groups achieved 5 patents, they did 53 clinical trials, and
participated in 13 clinical guides.
Internal Organization
CIBERSAM, in accordance with its statutes, is governed and administered by the Board of Trustees and its Permanent Commission and the following managerial bodies: the Steering Committee, the Scientific Director, and the Management.
The coordinating structure of CIBERSAM is set up to guarantee that it functions efficiently and facilitates the achievement of its planned goals. Such structure is divided into a scientific line and an economic-administrative line. Organization Chart: BOARD OF TRUSTEES SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR MANAGEMENT STEERING COMMITTE AREA COORDINATOR QUALITY & INTERNAL TRAINING & MOBILITY COORDINATOR RESULTS & EUROPEAN PROGRAMMES COORDINATOR DATABASES INSTITUTIONALS RELATIONS COORDINATOR PLATFORMS
SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL PERMANENT COMMISSION
• Instituto de Salud Carlos III: Jerónimo Navas Palacios (Presidente del Consejo)
• Instituto de Salud Carlos III: Joaquín Arenas Barbero (Vicepresidente del Consejo)
• Instituto de Salud Carlos III: Miguel A. Cabo López
• CIBERSAM. Managing Director: Manuel Sánchez Delgado (Secretario del Consejo)
• CIBERSAM. Scientific Director: Celso Arango López
• Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas: Paola Bovolenta Nicolao
• Fundación IDIBELL: Emilià Pola Robles
• Fundación Hospital Universitario
Marqués de Valdecilla: Luis Carmelo Anchoriz Tejedor
• Fundación para la Investigación
Docencia Sant Joan de Deu: Emili Bargallo Angerri
• Fundación Vasca de Innovación
e Investigación Sanitarias: Carmen Garaizar Axpe
• Hermanas Hospitalarias
Sagrado Corazón de Jesús - Benito Menni: Josep Treserra Torres
• Hospital Clínico y Provincial de Barcelona: Ramón Gomis de Barabara
• Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud: Esteban de Manuel Keenoy
• Instituto de Investigación
Hospital Santa Cruz y San Pablo: Jaume Kulisevsky
• Servicio Madrileño de Salud: Elena Andradas Aragonés
• Universidad Complutense de Madrid: Milagros Palacios Alarcón
• Universidad de Barcelona: Xavier Meneses Martínez
• Universidad de Cádiz: Francisco Antonio Macías Domínguez
• Universidad de Cantabria: José Carlos Gómez Sal
• Universidad de Granada: María Dolores Suárez Ortega
• Universidad de Oviedo: Santiago García Granda
• Universidad de Valencia: Ana María Cortés Herreros
• Universidad del País Vasco: Antonio Romo Soler
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees consists of three representatives from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and a representative from each of the Consortium Institutions. The President of the Board of Trustees is the Director of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and the Managing Director of the Consortium acts as the Secretary of the Board. The Board of Trustees exercises general control over the Consortium; it designates and appoints the members of the Scientific Council, the Permanent Commission and the Scientific Director of CIBERSAM.
Permanent Commission
The Permanent Commission is comprised of the President of the Board of Trustees, the Scientific Director of the Consortium, the Managing Director of the Consortium, who acts as Secretary, and four representatives of the Consortium Institutions. The Permanent Commission evaluates the activities of the Consortium and reviews and adjusts budgets, accounts and other reports to be approved by the Board of Trustees.
Members of the Permanent Commission
• CIBERSAM. Managing Director: Manuel Sánchez Delgado (Secretario)
• CIBERSAM. Scientific Director: Celso Arango López
• Fundación para la Investigación y
Docencia Sant Joan de Deu: Emili Bargallo Angerri
• Fundación Vasca de Innovación
e Investigación Sanitarias: Carmen Garaizar Axpe
• Instituto de Salud Carlos III: : Joaquín Arenas Barbero
• Universidad de Granada: María Dolores Suárez Ortega
Jim Van Os
Guy Goodwin
Michael Hamon
María Ron
Marion Leboyer
President of the External Scientific Comiitee
Member
Member
Member
Member
External Scientific Advisory Committee
This committee provides general scientific advice and support to the Board of Trustees. Its members are composed of international caliber scientists in the field of health services whose distinguished professional or scientific careers are especially relevant to the objectives of CIBERSAM. The committee has a President and at least four additional members, all of them appointed by the President of the Board of Trustees.
The External Scientific Advisory Committee informs and advises the Board of Trustees on the characteristics of scientific and technical research occurring at national and international levels and on its possible impact on the operation of CIBERSAM. Its main functions are:
• Advising with respect to scientific policy guidelines and institutional relationships • Reviewing the proposed Strategic Plan, the proposed Annual Scientific Reports, and the
Annual Action Plans
• Reporting on the adequacy of programs, resources, and capabilities for the purposes of the
consortium
• Advising on the strategy of transferring research results • Advising on the policy relating to scientific staff incorporation • Reporting on the creation of research programs
MEMBERS
Maastricht University, Holland
Department of Psychiatry, University Of Oxford, Warneford Hospital,
Oxford, United Kingdom
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherchev Médicale/Université Pierre
et Marie Curie. Paris, France
Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square,
London, United Kingdom Groupe Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier, Pôle de Psychiatrie,
Créteil, Paris, France
• Dr. Celso Arango Scientific Director
• Dr. Francesc Artigas
• Dr. Victor Pérez Coordinator of the Depression Area
• Dr. Eduard Vieta Coordinator of the Bipolar Disorder Area
• Dr. Julio Sanjuán Coordinator of Schizophrenia Area
and Common Databases
• Dr. Antonio Lobo Coordinator of Other Mental Disorders Area
• Dr. Ángel Pazos Coordinator of Training and Mobility
• Dr. Josep María Haro Coordinator of Platforms
• Dra. Ana María González-Pinto Quality Coordinator
• Dr. Manuel Sánchez Managing Director
Steering Committee
Technical Unit
The Steering Committee of CIBERSAM is the body responsible for carrying out managerial tasks. It is a collegiate body that ensures the development of CIBERSAM, meeting the needs of its member groups and their strategic objectives.
Members of the Steering Committee:
The headquarters of CIBERSAM’s Technical Unit are in Madrid, at 46 Doctor Esquerdo Street, in the Gregorio Marañón Hospital, Government Pavillion, 1st floor. Its mission tasks include an appropriate staff management, payments to vendors, project coordination, diffusion and communication, asset management, administrative hiring, negotiation of agreements, and lastly, the facilitation of dialogue among the geographically dispersed research groups and the administrative bodies of CIBERSAM.
Cibersam Consortium
Eight Autonomous Regions taking part through the following institutions and/or centres
Funded by:
Unión Europea Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR INSTITUTION CITy CODE ÁREA
Cibersam Groups
Dr. Celso Arango López Hospital General Universitario Madrid G01 Other mental Gregorio Marañón disorders Dr. Francesc Artigas Pérez Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Barcelona G02 Depression Dr. Jose Luis Ayuso Mateos Hospital Universitario La Princesa Madrid G03 Bipolar disorder Dr. Miquel Bernardo Arroyo Hospital Clínic i Universitari de Barcelona Barcelona G04 Schizophrenia Dr. Julio Bobes García Universidad de Oviedo Oviedo G05 Bipolar disorder Dr. Jorge A. Cervilla Ballesteros Universidad de Granada Granada G06 Depression Dr. Manuel Desco Menéndez Hospital General Universitario Madrid G07 Schizophrenia Gregorio Marañón
Dra. Lourdes Fañanás Saura Universidad de Barcelona Barcelona G08 Depression Dr. Javier Garzón Niño Instituto Cajal, CSIC Madrid G09 Depression Dra. Ana Mª. Glez-Pinto Arrillaga Hospital Santiago Apóstol Vitoria G10 Bipolar disorder Dr. Josep M. Haro Abad Fundació Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona G11 Schizophrenia Dr. Juan Carlos Leza Cerro Universidad Complutense Madrid G12 Other mental disorders Dr. Antonio Lobo Satué Hospital Clínico Universitario Zaragoza G13 Other mental disorders Dr. Juan José López-Ibor Aliño Hospital Clínico San Carlos Madrid G14 Other mental disorders Dr. Peter McKenna Benito Menni Complex Assistencial Barcelona G15 Schizophrenia Dr. Javier Meana Martínez Universidad del País Vasco Leioa, G16 Depression Bizkaia
Dr. José Manuel Menchón Magriñá Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge Barcelona G17 Other mental disorders Dr. Juan Antonio Micó Segura Universidad de Cádiz Cádiz G18 Bipolar disorder Dr. Tomás Palomo Álvarez Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Madrid G19 Schizophrenia Dr. Ángel A. Pazos Carro Universidad de Santander Santander G20 Depression
calls and Projects ... 18
transversal Areas ...24
Calls and Projects
Among the activities developed by CIBERSAM, there are innovation initiatives that contribute to carrying out a quality research. In this area, it is noteworthy the launch of funding calls for coordinated projects fostering cooperation between the consortium groups.
In 2010, the following internal calls were carried out:
• Intensification Call,
• Translational Intramural Call,
• Funding call to develop projects within the Neuroimaging Platform, • Call of grants for the Bank of Instruments research projects.
Intensification Call
This call, approved in CIBERSAM’s annual meeting held on October 24th 2009, finances up to 36 months/year. It was published on October 27th 2009 and its aim is to free the researcher or the scholar from the assistance workload. According to the resolution published on December 9th 2009, the list of intensified CIBERSAM researchers for the
year 2010 is as follows:
• Dr. Celso Arango López • Dra. Lourdes Fañanás Saura
Project
Resolution to the translational intramural projects call:
Mr GroUPS Granted amount
Use of antidepressants in the last decade and its relation to mortality and
suicide-related events, with special focus on children and adolescents
Metylphenidate immediate release in the initial treatment of symptoms of acute mania
Cortical activity in schizophrenia: a translational study on the pharmacologi-cal response to hallucinations.
Metabotropic glutamate receptors 2/3 (mGluR2/3) as drug targets to improve cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.
Depression and chronic pain comorbidity: impact on neurogenesis and cognition.
JL Ayuso G03-G01-G21 55,000 € JL Ayuso G03-G5-G21 53,000 € J. Sanjuán G23-G02-G21-G15 39,000 € F. Artigas (A. Castañé) G02-G20 39,000 € JA Micó G18-G12-G07-G09 43,000 €
translational intramural call
Always within the frame of development and support to scientific activities, CIBERSAM has agreed to
finance intramural projects of clinical and translational nature. The funds are used as a complement to
projects financed by public institutions in competitive calls as well as for projects specifically addressed to this call, without complementary fundings. In CIBERSAM, the studies on mental health aim to lead a translational tendency that allows innovative results.
The innovative, translational, and collaborative nature of the project to be developed is one of the valued
aspects when selecting projects. In this context, 16 projects were submitted to the translational intramural call on September 23rd 2010. All the projects had high quality standards and 6 of them were granted
funds for the year 2011 (resolution on December 28th 2010).
Study of gene-environment interactions in schizophrenia: vulnerability and severity.
funding call to develop projects within the
neuroimaging Platform
With the aim to promote the development and application of quantitative analysis techniques in
Neuroimaging within CIBERSAM, the Neuroimaging Platform received a 63,000€ grant to finance
research projects throughout 2011. This call is addressed to all CIBERSAM groups. The projects can be
jointly done by several research teams and, in general, the multiple centre (multiple group) nature is
highly valued. The participation of external groups is also taken into consideration if at least one of the
participants and the coordinating group belong to CIBERSAM.
The projects must fit into the working lines that are of interest for the whole CIBERSAM. The projects’ orientation must be technical, methodological, and eminently practical, focused on the
development, implementation, and validation of analysis and image processing techniques applicable to neurobiological research.
Four out of five projects were funded with the call published on October 6th 2010. The resolution of the 2010 call of the Neuroimaging Platform took place on December 21st 2010.
comparative analysis of segmentation tools for the estimation of sulcal depth in brain Mr images
Validation and Implementation of Morphomety technique based on sources for its application in the field of mental diseases
Software programming to calculate connectivity maps at voxel level using the spectrum measurements and minimizing the physiological noise Development of a software tool for the automated processing of SPM studies on fMrI in animals and for the adaptation of non-linear and multiple variable methods in SPM studies. 17,500 € 4,900 € 19,600 € 21,000 € tItle IP J Janssen G01 E Canales G15 R Salvador G15 Y Alemán G07 S Reig G07 IP G Monté Rubio G15 E Canales G15 P Salgado G15 E Pomarol G15 P McKenna G15 J Sanjuán G23 G García-Martí G23 V Iglesia G23 IP R Salvador G15 E Canales G15 M Anguera G15 S Reig G07 Y Aleman G07 IP E Berrocoso G18 JA Micó G18 S Torres G18 M Desco G07 Y Aleman G07 M Soto-Montenegro G07 C Chavarrías G07 M Benito G07 M Martínez UC3M V Gómez UC3M M Cassía UC3M
call of grants for the Bank of instruments
re-search projects
On the 28th September 2010, CIBERSAM launched the financing call for research projects in the Bank of
Instruments (BICIBERSAM).
The research projects liable to receive grants must be within some of the following working lines developed
by BICIBERSAM:
• Instruments for diagnosis evaluation.
• Instruments for symptomatology evaluation.
• Instruments for neuropsychology evaluation.
• Instruments for disability assessment.
• Specific instruments to be applied to childhood/adolescence.
• Specific instruments to be applied to special populations.
This call’s resolution was published on December 22nd 2010. The following 9 projects, out of 31, received
funds for 2011:
tItle researcher Group
Validation of the Bermond-Vorst alexithymia questionnaire for Spanish population with severe mental disorder
Factorial structure, convergent validity,
discrimination capacity and change sensitivity in the Spanish version of the Remission from Depression Questionnaire (RDQ)
Relation between the psychometric evaluation of psychosocial performance and quality of life in euthymic bipolar patients
Evaluation of change sensitivity in a psychosocial performance scale in
bipolar patients (FAST)
Validation of the self-injurious thoughts
and behaviours interview (SITBI) in
Spanish population with suicidal conduct
Study on the creation and validation, for the Spanish population, of a scale to measure the degree of severity of drugs consumption in dual pathology patients Creation of a screening test for cognitive deterioration in alcoholism
Development of a new scale for dementia stages: practicability, reliability, and validity
Ana González-Pinto G10 Víctor Pérez Sola G21
Eduard Vieta G25
Eduard Vieta G25
Enrique Baca García G22
Iris Baños Yeste G11
Gabriel Rubio Valladolid G19
transversal Areas
Transversal Areas are tools that allow approaching the objectives planned in CIBERSAM. These areas were created drawing from the REM-TAP experience, at the origin of the Mental Health CIBER, with a view to empower the research groups that shape this network centre by providing them with more means, by facilitating
the accessibility and by fostering their collaboration.
training and Mobility european Programmes and International relations Institutional relations
Quality and Internal evaluation results and communication common Data Bases Platforms
Dr. Ángel Pazos Carro (G20)
Dr. José Luis Ayuso Mateos (G03) Dr. Jerónimo Saiz (G22) *
Dr. Miquel Bernardo (G04) Dra. Ana González-Pinto (G10)
Dr. Julio Bobes García (G05)
Dr. Juan Antonio Micó Segura (G18)
Dr. Julio Sanjúan Arias (G23)
Dr. Josep Mª Haro Abad (G11)
* The Steering Committee, at the meeting held on the 2nd August 2010, unanimously approved that Miquel Bernardo
should substitute Jerónimo Saiz as Coordinator of Institutional Relations.
tranSVerSal areaS
training Programme Objectives
One of the missions of CIBERSAM is to facilitate and improve the training capacity of its researchers. For this reason, CIBER of Mental Health provides, within its work strategies, a specific training programme aimed
preferentially towards trainee researchers.
80% of the total Training budget and at least 70% of each group’s budget must be devoted to priority courses
and internships or placements with other CIBERs.
The training programme includes the following priority objectives:
• Facilitate the training of young researchers and their access to new scientific and technological knowledge related to research.
• Enhance training activities, preferably in the strategic lines defined in the basic project of CIBERSAM. • Contribute to the integration of all the groups of CIBER as per its structure.
• Identify new needs with respect to the in-house training of the CIBERSAM professionals
which should be incorporated into the programme.
In 2010, the following activities were completed as part of the training programme:
• Training courses which are related to various research areas of CIBER or which are of a more
general character. In accordance with the funding rules and the approved prioritization for 2010, the training programme funded:
• As a first priority, programmes and courses offered by CIBERSAM itself, organized by its member groups or those others identified as of special interest. The course offerings
training and Mobility
One of the objectives of CIBER of Mental Health is to improve the
training of mental health researchers in this country. It is a necessary goal if we want to have well-trained professionals in the field of
Mental Health and the Neurosciences. We at CIBERSAM believe that
the training, especially of young researchers, is a strategic investment.
Accordingly, since the start of the network centre, a training programme has been organized that seeks to be a reference for training in Mental Health in this country.
Ángel Pazos carro
Coordinator of Training and Mobility Area
training courses
With regard to the courses that were offered, the Programme established the following as priority courses:
Courses organized by CIBERSAM itself:
• Jornada de Bancos de Tejidos Neurológicos y Salud Mental, Barcelona (Dr. Josep Mª Haro) • Curso sobre Validación de cuestionarios, Barcelona (Dr. Josep Mª Haro)
• Curso intensivo de introducción a la investigación básica en Neurociencias, Madrid, (Dra. Lourdes Fañanás)
• Evaluación y Tratamiento de las alucinaciones auditivas en las Psicosis, Valencia,
(Dr. Julio Sanjuán)
• Laboratorio de Ideas del CIBERSAM: Reunión semestral de presentación y discusión de resultados de investigación, Madrid (Dres. Juan C. Leza y Rafael Tabares)
• Introducción a la psicopatología y diagnóstico de la enfermedad mental, Barcelona (Dra. Lourdes Fañanás)
• As a second priority, attendance at other courses related to subjects that the Programme has
identified as of interest as they are subject matters which are in high demand by a significant part of the member groups: Applied Statistics for Medicine,
Data Analysis and the Use of Specific Software, Research Methodology, Cognitive Therapy, Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM), Approved Courses on the Handling Animals for Scientific Research and Courses for Operators or Supervisors of Radioactive Installation.
• Research Placements: in accordance with the funding rules approved in 2010, the Programme
financed placements in other units of CIBER (hospitals, laboratories, specific units) or placements abroad for the purpose of learning techniques, instruments, strategic and diagnostic therapies, new approaches, etc.
• Curriculum Development and the corresponding Report regarding the development of CIBER´s
own Master and Postgraduate Studies in Mental Health Research. As discussed further below, in 2010, CIBERSAM designed a Studies Programme, selecting the participating Universities
and establishing the performance standards, etc. Each of the Universities has begun the approval process.
Scientific placements
Master of Mental Health Research
With respect to placements, in 2010, 33 placements were offered by 12 groups of CIBERSAM.
The Committee selected by the Steering Committee for the formal establishment of the proposed
Master had three meetings (one in Madrid and two in Barcelona) and multiple contacts via email and
teleconference. It also contacted the Lilly Foundation with the view of a possible collaboration in the delivery of these studies. The result of this work is the corresponding Report, whose most important
findings are:
• An inter-university structure, with participation from the Universities of Cantabria
(coordinator), Autónoma of Barcelona, Barcelona, Cádiz and Complutense of Madrid
• 60 credits, of which 34 are required (and 24 are of a practice nature); • 6 credits which are required for the Master´s Thesis;
• 4 modules, in addition to the work for the Master´s Thesis.
- Basic (2 content areas and 3 subjects)
- Fundamental Issues in Mental health research (2 content areas and 7 subjects)
- Biological and therapeutic Basis of Mental Illness (3 content areas and 7 subjects)
- clinical research Issues in Mental health
(4 content areas and 10 subjects)
During 2010, this proposal was approved by the universities of Cádiz and Cantabria. The process should culminate in 2011 with the approval by the remaining Universities, the obligatory review of ANECA and
its implementation.
Courses led by researchers of CIBERSAM and offered by the Programme
23 Courses were offered by 11 groups. The website of CIBERSAM provides the complete listing
(www.cibersam.es).
Courses deemed to be of general high interest
funded Activities
Attendance in 68 courses by members of CIBERSAM was funded: of which, 65 were in Spain and the remaining 3 were abroad. Of those which took place in Spain, 36 were courses organized by CIBER or directed and offered by its groups. The remaining courses were on the subject matters mentioned above. The percentage of participation in courses offered by CIBER vis-à-vis the total participation in all courses financed by the Programme was 52.9%, as compared to 9% in 2009, resulting in the successful achievement of one of the indicators of the Programme (an increase in 10%).
Members of CIBERSAM enrolled, under the Training Programme, in 8 courses offered/directed by group
members, as compared to 3 in 2009.
7 placements for members of CIBERSAM were funded for a total time period of 7.2 weeks. Four of these placements were in Spain and the rest were abroad. All the placements which took place in Spain were offered by the groups of CIBERSAM. The subject matters encompassed the spectrum referred to above. The percentage of placement weeks with the CIBER groups vis-à-vis the total placements funded by the Programme was 61.1%, as compared to 15% in 2009, resulting in the achievement of one of the indicators of the Programme (increase in 10%).
Lastly, CIBERSAM financed the expenses resulting from the meeting of the members of the Commission
tasked with the establishment of the Master´s Programme in Mental Health Research that took place in
European Programmes
The aim of CIBERSAM is to become an internationally prestigious organization in the field of mental diseases. For this reason, one of our stated objectives is to ensure that the research groups that conform this CIBER will also contribute to the research projects of other well known European and international centres. In this sense, the aim of the European Programmes area is to give support to those research groups willing to engage themselves with those initiatives. Another purpose of this programme is to grant CIBERSAM’s participation in the coordination activities of the national European networks already existing and to keep in contact with the European Commission institutions relevant to the funding of research in Mental Health, all of this with the aim of fostering the creation of calls in the areas in which CIBERSAM is interested.
Dr. José Luis Ayuso Mateos
Coordinator of the European Programmes and International Relationships Area
Throughout 2010 several european projects were launched in which take part the CIBERSAM groups:
• PERS | Paediatric European Risperidone Studies. MRs: IPs Arango (G01) and Castro (G04). • OPTIMISE | Optimization of Treatment In the Management in Schizophrenia in Europe. MR:
Arango (G01) and three CIBERSAM groups subcontracted.
• EUGEI | European Joint National Schizophrenia Networks for the Identification of Gene- Environment Interactions. MR: Arango (G01) and three CIBERSAM groups subcontracted. • Working in Europe to Stop Truancy Among Youth. MR: Bobes (G05).
• PARADISE | Psychosocial fActors Relevant to brAin DISorders in Europe. MR: Ayuso (G03). • European Friedreich´s Ataxia Consortium for Translational Studies. Contributor: Maria
Dolores Moltó Ruiz (G23 appointed member).
• Implementing a Scientific International master for biotechnology and neuroscience in the
South Mediterranean area. Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency.
Moreover, the following european projects with participation of CIBERSAM groups have been approved:
• Suicidality: Treatment Occurring in Paediatrics (STOP). 4th Call for Proposals HEALTH.2010.4.2-3: Participants: G01 (C. Arango), G04 (Castro)
(CIBERSAM Economic management)
• Paediatric European Risperidone Studies. Small or Medium-scale Focused Research Project: 4th Call for Proposals HEALTH.2009-4.2-1: G01 (C. Arango), IP Castro (G04) • Memory, concentration and planning abilities in schizophrenia: A comparison of two assessment packages. Call WPO3 -Development of cognitive measures ideal for international trials and back- translation to preclinical models. NEWMEDS - Innovative Medicine Initiative (IMI). G01 (C. Arango).
• Supporting prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in
developing countries”. EuropeAid Global Calls (EuropeAid/129197/C/ACT/Multi). G03 (J. L. Ayuso)
• Global information system on the Higher Education Institutions of Latin America for a Higher Education Common Area with Europe. Call Alfa III-European Commission. G23 (Jose Miguel Carot Sierra)
• From autism to schizophrenia: study on the genetic mechanisms underlying
brain dysfunction and structural phenotypes in schizophrenia and autistic spectrum
disorders. NEURON-ERANET NEURON Joint Call 2010 European Research Projects on Mental Disorders. G08 (L. Fañanas L). G01 (M. Parellada)
• DBS-F20rat Describing pathophysiology to promote focal therapy in treatment of schizophrenia – an animal experimental study. NEURON-ERANET, Joint
Call 2010 European Research Projects on Mental Disorders. G07 (M. Desco).
European projects submitted in 2010 and not approved
• Neurobiological and environmental shared risk factors in mental disorders related to compulsivity and impulsivity. Convocatoria NEURON-ERANET. G17 (JM Menchón). • Understanding neurodevelopmental mechanisms of schizophrenia:a translational strategy integrating clinical and basic findings. Convocatoria NEURON-ERANET. G26 (B Crespo-Facorro).
• CORE-BIP| COrrelates of REsponse in BIPolar. Convocatoria EraNet-Neuron. G25 (Colom F) • European Twin study on the genetic effects and epigenetics determinants of white matter conectivity in bipolar affective disorder and at-risk subject.
Convocatoria NEURON-ERANET. G08 (L Fañanás).
• Inflammation and Human Endogenous RetroVirus W InSchizophrenia: a translational study. Convocatoria NEURON-ERANET. G26 (B Crespo-Facorro).
• Biomarkers for first-episode psychosis (the FEPBIO consortium). Convocatoria. EraNet- Neuron. G01 (Arango C)
• Dopaminergic dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Convocatoria EraNet-Neuron.
G01(Arango C)
• Neurobiology of Bipolar Prodrome. Convocatoria NEURON-ERANET. G22 (J Saiz). • European Research Cartel in Suicidal behaviour (EURECA-suicide): improving the prediction
of suicidal behaviour by using the neuroscientific toolbox (genomics, neuropsychology).
Convocatoria NEURON-ERANET. G22 (E. Baca-García), G05 (J. Bobes).
• An Integrated Model for the Early Detection of Major Phychoses BrainKit. Convocatoria. Large-scale Integrated Project (IP), Objective ICT-2009.5.3 : Virtual Physiological
Human Topic A: VPH Call 6. G26 (Crespo-Facorro B)
• Determinants of alcohol consumption and impact on functioning, health and disability.
Comparisons between European countries. Convocatoria European Research Advisory
Board - Research Grants : EA 10 15. G03 (R. Nuevo).
european projects submitted in 2010 and approval pending during 2011:
• ROAMER| Roadmap for Mental Health Research in Europe. FP7-HEALTH-2011-single- stage: G11 (JM. Haro), G03 (JL. Ayuso), G01 (C.Arango), G10 (A. González-Pinto), G25 (E. Vieta), G26 (B. Crespo-Facorro), G06 (J. Cervilla).
institutional Relations
The purpose of the CIBERSAM Institutional Relations Area is to
foster a fluid communication with the professional environment and to coordinate the relationship with institutions such as the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas,
other public researching institutions and ministries. The aim is
to promote the coordination with the consortium members and improve the CIBERSAM visibility in society.
Miquel Bernardo arroyo
Coordinator of the Institutional Relations Area
Within this area, the following activities were carried out in 2010:
• Madrid Statement against Stigma of mental diseases
• Contact with different organizations: FEAFES (Madrid, Andalucía), Ressorgir, ATBAR, Hierbabuena, La Nostra Veu, Mundo Bipolar, ACFAMES
• Organization of the 9th Congress on Multiple Modality of Psychiatric Disorders
• Organization of the 2nd Social Forum within the 14th National Congress on Psychiatry,
Barcelona
• Nise project: against the stigma of mental diseases. Collaboration with the Servizo
Galego de Sáude.
• Meetings with representatives of the Health Ministry to obtain support for the development of the project “Road Map for Mental Health Research” (ROAMER). • Relationship with media: different television channels and press.
Quality and internal evaluation
During 2010, actions such as the standardization of administrative
procedures and the completion of the necessary steps for ISO 9000 quality accreditation were undertaken. Through an audit, it was verified that CIBER of Mental Health fulfils the requirements set forth in ISO 9001:2008.
ana González-Pinto
Coordinator of the Quality and Internal Evaluation Area
In this context of improvement, evaluations are necessary and in cIBerSaM, the focus is on the evaluation of the structure, the processes and the scientific production:
• Structure: focusing on the qualification, technological capacity, facilities, economic and
administrative organization, and management of human and material resources.
• Processes: emphasizing the attainment of the mission of CIBER, the relevance of its activity
at the national and international level and the coherence of the planning, dissemination and publication of the results.
• Scientific Production: in this area, the production in relation to available resources, the
number of publications, projects, patents and changes over time are valued.
CIBERSAM has a code of Good Research Practices which is adopted by all of its
researchers. The observance of a code of good scientific practice involves upholding ethical
principles and legal requirements in accordance with the international ethical research
standards set forth in the Declaration of Helsinki (the obtaining of informed consent, a detailed evaluation of the risk/benefit analysis of the study and the impartiality
in the selection and the follow-up of the participants in the study) as followed
by the Committee of Good Scientific Conduct (CBCC) of CIBERSAM; these are essential elements in any research project that aims to expand scientific knowledge within a framework of credibility and respect from society.
CIBERSAM has also incorporated in its Quality Management System an operating protocol based on national and international ethical standards for the handling and transportation of biological samples between CIBERSAM laboratories (those of experimental animals as well as cell experiments derived from patients or controls) such that it ensures at all times the quality and stability of the samples, including the related data, under its control.
CIBER of Mental Health has a system for quality supervision of its research and management activities.
In 2010, based on the results of an internal audit of CIBERSAM, corrective actions, for improvements as
well as preventions, were undertaken in the areas of management and research activities. The Steering
Committee, the Scientific Council, the coordinators and heads of areas, lines and/or projects supervise the achievement of the objectives and oversee that the scientific methods have adequate quality attributes.
Works of improvement have been undertaken with respect to the following issues:
1. Scientific and training policies. 2. Specific policies.
3. Nation-wide identification of public and private, national or regional institutional bodies
(OPIS) and checking for duplication from other institutional bodies.
4. Recording of the performance process of scientific advancement and knowledge.
5. DAFO: criteria.
6. Documents that specify specific measures and results.
7. Weaknesses.
8. Programme for cooperation and alliances (as set forth in the Multi-year Plan).
9. Process for prioritizing strategies.
10. Verifiable description of activities to correct strategic deficiencies which are detected. 11. Scientific planning documents with multi-year objectives and indicators for follow-up. 12. Scorecard.
13. Management contracts with defined responsibilities (results and time periods).
14. Performance evaluation results of the executive management.
15. Definition of the quality.
16. Records of the quality of the laboratories.
17. Procedures / methods to ensure the traceability of biological samples.
18. Improvement and preventive actions in management areas and research
activity/ corrective actions / prior audits.
19. Staff handbook.
20. Plans for creativity / teamwork / empowerment.
21. Incentive systems / awards.
22. Actions to optimize the internal working environment.
23. Process maps: although improvement is possible, these maps are not modified by
prioritizing more efficient changes, rather a map of procedures is added to them.
Results and communication
The aim of the CIBERSAM Results and
Communication Area is to disseminate the findings and the research activity among the scientific community, society, the economic world and the clinical
practice. This dissemination results
in a better exploitation of the CIBER capacities and findings.
julio Bobes García y juan antonio Micó Segura
Coordinators of the Results and Communication Area
In 2010, the following CIBERSAM research activities were spread:
• Organization of scientific events.
• Participation in events of the Psychiatry Spanish Society (PSS) and of the Biological Psychiatry Spanish Society (BPSS): 2nd Social Forum on Mental Health within the 14th
National Congress on Psychiatry, which was organized by the PSS and the BPSS and took place on the 18th October 2010 in Barcelona.
ciBeRsAM common Data Base
The main purpose of the CIBER centres (Centre for Biomedical Network Research)
is to foster joint research. In order to deal electronically with the whole set of data, it is necessary to establish procedures, criteria, scales and individual fields
of work so that the different information resources can be integrated and later
on this information can be processed.
julio Sanjuán arias
Coordinator of the Common Data Bases Area
In this context, cIBerSaM cooperates with the research group Grid y Computación de Altas Prestaciones (Grid and High Performance Computing, GRyCAP – www.grycap.upv.es), from the Universidad Politécnica
de Valencia (UPV – www.upv.es), and collaborates with the United Kingdom network on mental health research PsyGrid (http://www.psygrid.org/).
The group GRyCAP is developing a data capture and pre-processing system called GridSAM (http:// gridsam.grycap.upv.es), which is currently being used for some of the projects. This system allows to the
participating groups to enter and share clinical and genomic data.
During the year 2010, the GridSAM system features have been extended as follows:
• In cooperation with the Santiago de Compostela platform, a system has been created to capture genetic data and to combine them with clinical data;
• In cooperation with the neuroimaging platform, an integration system for morphometry data was created within the first episodes project;
• The sample gathering has been going on and has been extended in the collaboration
projects already existing in 2009 within GridSAM:
• First Episodes Project, • GWAS Project.
Moreover, the use of the common data base platform has been extended to new projects:
Platforms
cIBerSaM has 5 platforms that support research:
• DNA Platform
• Library of Instruments on Mental Health and Disability • Brain Bank
• Identification and Verification of Therapeutic Targets • Neuroimaging
During 2010, the clinical data platform was also created, coordinated by Dr. Julio Sanjuán.
These facilities are equipped and staffed by highly qualified personnel, providing an important support for research. The platforms give support
to research groups that are part of CIBERSAM as well as outside groups
that conduct research activities in Mental Health.
The DNA Platform has more than 5,000 samples from people with
mental disorder and also includes samples of other pathologies and healthy control samples.
The Brain Bank Platform provides samples of brain tissues of people
with mental disorder and control specimens to research groups who require them.
The Bank of Instruments Platform provides information and service to
researchers regarding questionnaires and measurement tools on mental health.
The Therapeutic Target Platform gathers facilities and professionals who give support to researchers that
want to analyze new targets for treatment, with the end goal of acting as an available distributed platform of choice when necessary.
The Neuroimaging Platform is a technical group whose principal objective is to promote the use of quantitative analytical techniques in Neuroimaging.
The Clinical Data Platform provides an online registry tool of socio-demographic, clinical and research
information that supports multidisciplinary studies and permits the use of data by the CIBER groups.
josep Mª haro
DnA Bank Platform
During 2009 and 2010, 5,741 samples from schizophrenia patients from 10 hospitals were deposited.
Dr. Celso Arango López (G01)
Coordinator of DNA Bank Platform
Members of the Scientific committee:
Dr. Julio Sanjuán Arias (G23)
Dra. Lourdes Fañanás Saura (G08)
Dr. Jorge Cervilla Ballesteros (G06)
Dr. Josep Maria Haro Abad (G11)
center city Dna samples
Universidad Granada Granada 1,742
Universidad de Valencia Valencia 1,015
Hospital 12 de Octubre Madrid 948 Hospital Gregorio Marañon Madrid 626 Universidad de Oviedo Oviedo 459 Hospital Santiago Apóstol Vitoria 295 Hospital Sant Pau i Santa Creu Barcelona 290
Library of instruments on Mental Health
and Disability Platform
The Library of Instruments on Mental Health and Disability has more than 100 instruments which are
organized per the different areas of interest.
The bank has 160 instruments: 9% of which correspond to the area of diagnostic, 24% in the area of symptomatology, 11% in children/adolescence, 8% in special populations, 0% in dual pathologies, 13% in neuropsychology, 8% in disability and 27% in miscellaneous.
In 2010, a call for intramural projects was made again for the development of instruments. 31 projects
were submitted and 9 were accepted. During the years 2008, 2009 and 2010, three classroom training days, in the form of a workshop, were dedicated to revising the design and research implementation
process with respect to case study for purposes of developing and validating questionnaires on Mental
Health and Disability. The library of CIBERSAM has a collaborative relationship with BiblioPRO (Library of Patient Related Outcomes), which is managed by the Research Unit of Health Services of IMIM – Hospital del Mar, member of CIBERESP (Center for Biomedical Research in the Public Health Network).
Dr. Josep Maria Haro Abad (G11)
Coordinator of Library of Instruments Platform
Members of the coordinating committee:
Dr. Josep M. Haro (G11) Dra. Ana González-Pinto (G10) Dr. Eduard Vieta Pascual (G25)
Dr. José Luis Ayuso (G03) Dr. Julio Bobes (G05) Dr. Antonio Lobo (G13) Dr. Celso Arango (G01)
Brain Bank Platform
The Bank Platform and the brain samples collection represent a basic structure in translational psychiatric research. Currently, there are three nodes linked to the groups of the Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, the Universidad del País Vasco and Universidad de Cantabria.
The Platform assembles samples using the criteria of quality, clinical data of the donor and toxicological
data. During 2010 a new toxicological service that provides specific analysis for the member groups
was established. 85 new samples have been added to the bank and 136 were transferred. Throughout 2010, the techniques for determining the quality of the samples by incorporating indicators such as RIN (RNA integrity number) have improved. The area of toxicology now allows for the possibility of measuring psychoactive drugs in the brain tissue through the use of sophisticated analytical techniques. Furthermore, the year 2010 oversaw the opening of new centres of donor recruitment. The Fundació Sant Joan de Déu joined the Biobancos Network which is sponsored by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Throughout 2010,
the process of recruiting donors, obtaining samples and transferring samples to national and international scientific projects has continued. At the intramural level, seven groups of CIBERSAM have received sample
donations in order to carry out projects and lines of work.
Dr. Jose Javier Meana Martínez (G16)
Platform of Identification and Validation of
therapeutic targets
The Platform of therapeutic target gathers a series of infrastructures and a methodology set forth by several CIBERSAM groups, mainly of basic nature, so that it can act as a decentralized platform of available offers for the collaborative studies planned within CIBERSAM, especially in relation to the identification and validation of therapeutic targets and of etiopathogenesis.
Services
This platform is available to any CIBER researcher working on a project requiring this kind of methodological approaches. The following services can be found within those approaches:
• Studies on localization and expression of receptors and analysis of their mechanisms of
cellular signaling.
• Studies on regulation and modulation of neural signaling proteins in animal models and
through psychoactive drugs.
• Studies on the behaviour of animal models of psychiatric pathology both genetic and
functional.
• Studies on micro-dialysis: characterization of animal models and effects of psychoactive
drugs.
• Studies on electrophysiology: characterization (in vivo as well as in vitro) of animal models
and effects of psychoactive drugs.
• Studies on the activity assessment (affinity, effectiveness) of active molecules in the
nervous system.
• Development of animal models based on gene expression and alterations of the
Dr. Ángel Pazos (G20)
Coordinator of the Platform of Identification and Validation of Therapeutic Targets
Members of the coordinating committee:
Dr. Ángel Pazos (G20) Dr. Francesc Artigas (G02) Dr. Josep M. Haro (G11)
Equipment
In 2010 the acquisition process of all the specific equipment for the platform has finished. It began in 2009 and the whole equipment consists of:
• Equipment of extra-cellular multi-record, with the aim of recording the neuronal activity in awake rodents (Group 02 in charge of it).
• Chromatograph of liquid phase type FPLC/HPLC (Group 09 in charge of it). • Multimodal scanner for micro-plates and trays (Group 12 in charge of it). • Flux cytometer (Group 16 in charge of it).
• Patch-Clamp equipment (Grupo18 in charge of it).
• Stereoataxic board for rodents, with dissection table and vibratome
(Group 20 in charge of it).
• Real time PCR equipment (Group 24 in charge of it).
Use of the equipment
Although most part of the equipment took several months to be operative, in several cases the platform has been already used to carry out research projects in which several CIBERSAM groups took part as well
as to do experiments resulting in publications.
• Intramural projects in which the equipment was used: 5 • Neuroimaging Platform projects: 1
• Competitive national projects: 5 • International articles: 6
neuroimaging Platform
The Neuroimaging Platform is a technical group within CIBERSAM whose principal objective is to promote the use of quantitative analysis techniques in Neuroimaging. The Platform serves as a vehicle for contact among the groups specializing in processing and analysis within CIBER of Mental Health. It also provides
the connection between clinical users and outside groups with reliable technical experience in image processing.
The physical assets are located in the Medical Image Laboratory, Experimental Medicine and Surgery Unit of Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón of Madrid under the supervision of Manuel Desco (G07). The members of the coordinating committee areN. Bargalló (G04), S. Reig (G07), J. Haro
(G11), R. Salvador (G15), J. Sanjuán (G23) y B. Crespo-Facorro. The services of the Platform are available to
all researchers of CIBERSAM.
Among the activities engaged by the Platform in 2010, the maintenance and the upgrade of the DICOM image server via the web deserves special mention. The volume of images in 2010 exceeded 400 studies that include distinct types of RM. With respect to the resources available within the Platform, two
Linux servers for processing have been added. In addition, the upgrade and expansion of the available processing tools have continued.
Dr. Manuel Desco (G07)
Coordinator of the Neuroimaging Platform
Members of the coordinating committee:
Dr. N. Bargalló (G04)
Dr. Santiago Reig (G07)
Dr. Josep Maria Haro (G11)
Dr. Salvador Sarró (G15) Dr. Julio Sanjuán (G23) Dr. Benedicto Crespo (G26)
2010 activities:
• Technical projects developed during 2010 by the Platform::
- A connectivity atlas of the human brain. IP: E. Canales (G15), G07 (Centro
Neurociencias Cuba)
- Diffeomorphic registration tool for morphometric analysis by tensor based
morphometry. IP: M. Desco (G07), G01, I3A
- Integration of DTI fiber-tracking parameters as constraints in models to evaluate
effective functional connectivity. IP: G. García-Martí (G23), G07
- Evaluation of automatic methods for cortical parcelation, automatic (FreeSurfer y
IBASPM) and manual (BRAINS2). IP: B. Crespo Facorro (G26), G01, G07
• Participation of the Platform in intramural and extramural joint projects in Neuroimaging • Research support:
- Training placements (G15, G04, G10)
- Acquisition service for animal imaging (G18, G01)
• Annual meeting of the Platform in Valencia on December 15, 2010:
- Presentation of completed projects from the 2009 round
- Objectives and future plans for the Platform
• Call for proposal, evaluation and decision of Intramural projects of the Platform for 2011. • Collaborations with outside groups: Philips, Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería de Aragón (I3A), Institut d´Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi y Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Centre d´Imatge Molecular (CRC CIM), Novasoft y Sociedad Española de Electromedicina y Calidad (SEDECAL).
CIBERSAM in figures
...46
CIBERSAM in figures
Research projects
In this section we aim to portray, in a general, graphic, and intelligible way, the activities carried out by CIBERSAM in its third year of existence. The data are presented according to the resources, processes, and achieved results. An analysis has been made of the obtained funds as well as of the projects and publications done in 2010.
Launching collaborative projects is one of the outstanding actions of CIBERSAM. Our organization forsters collaboration between its research groups. This collaborative activity includes not only projects, but also joint publications, training activities, and even the CIBER management.
Number of projects per group
Percentage of collaborative projects
Most groups (except for five) have more than 40% of collaborative projects and in 18 out of the 26 groups
Ratio Collaborations / Projects
Publications
Quartile 1
Decile
One of the main objectives of CIBERSAM is excellent productivity. This graphic shows that 38% of publications appeared in first decile magazines and more than 50% of the total amount of articles was published in magazines between the first and second deciles.
Decile Nº % Decile 1 110 37,9 Decile 2 76 26,2 Decile 3 42 14,5 Decile 4 45 15,5 Decile 5 17 5,9 Total 290 100
There were published:
8 magazines with 3 publications 16 magazines with 2 publications
46 magazines with 1 publication
Number of Publications
Number of publications per group
First and second quartiles
Joint Publications
This graphic stands for joint publications of the 26 CIBERSAM groups. The circle’s size is equivalent to the total amount of publications of a group (first and second quartiles). We show joint publications in which a
Ratio between amount of articles and amount of joint articles
CIBERSAM in the News
Eduard Vieta will join the Advisory Committee
of the Hungarian European Presidency in 2011 (25/02/2010)
CIBERSAM referenced in the 2010-2014 Mental Health
Strategic Plan of the Region of Madrid (18/03/2010)
Research should have an impact on society in order to create a scientific culture and a social awareness of mental illnesses and their problems. In 2010, CIBERSAM organized and participated in many activities. This report aims to capture the most noteworthy of the news featuring the Centre, such as events in which the consortium participated or acted as organizer. This dissemination and communication has been possible due to the work carried out by the professionals of CIBERSAM, who bring awareness, to society in general as well as to the scientific community, of the activity undertaken by the biomedical research Centre network.
Dr. Vieta, principal researcher of the G25, has been invited to participate in the Advisory Committee to be established by the Hungarian European Presidency in the first half of 2011. In the Research, Development and Innovation area, Hungary has decided to prioritize brain research and, with respect to the field of Neuroscience, to focus on neuropsychiatric illnesses, with special attention to depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. Eduard Vieta has accepted the invitation of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
The 2010-2014 Strategic Mental Health Plan of the Region of Madrid devoted a specific section to the Centre of Biomedical Research Mental Health Network. On page 211, it is underlined
CIBERs, has the largest number of groups vis-à-vis other regions and is the only one with a Scientific Director from Madrid highlights the competitiveness of the mental health research
The company AstraZeneca introduced an innovative project concerning social networks and bipolar disorder that can be found on the social network www.puedoser.es. The platform is an online community in which any individual can participate by interacting with other users (whether patients or psychiatrists) or simply by using it as a source of reliable information regarding bipolar disorder from a scientific viewpoint as well as a more personal perspective, with the aim of removing taboos and stigma associated with mental illnesses. CIBERSAM collaborated on this project. Dr. Eduardo Vieta,
Director of the Bipolar Disorder Program of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona and Principal Researcher of CIBERSAM, Dr. Celso Arango, Scientific Director of CIBERSAM, Ignacio Parada, expert on health social networks and founder of Vi.Vu and Federico Plaza, Director of Corporate Relationships of AstraZeneca participated in the presentation ceremony.
AstraZeneca launches PuedoSer.es, an innovative project
that connects social networks with bipolar disorder
(03/06/2010)
CIBERSAM gives out Young Scientist Awards to researchers
in the early stages of mental illnesses (22/11/2010)
As part of the 8th International Meeting on the early stages of mental illnesses (Genes and Environment: from Etiopathogenesis to the Treatment of Psychosis), held in Santander from the 18th to the 20th of November 2010, CIBERSAM granted Young Scientist Awards in this research area. The five awards were sponsored by Nova Caixa Galicia. The Evaluating Committee consisted of Professor Lourdes Fañanás Saura,
Professor Jesús Artal, Professor Benedicto Crespo Facorro and the Scientific Director of CIBERSAM, Celso Arango. Several researchers of CIBERSAM were given awards in 4 of the 5 categories: First Prize for the Best Oral Presentation, Third Prize for the Best Oral Presentation, First Prize for the Best Poster Presentation and Runner-up for the Best Poster Presentation.
Press
Discovery of an area in the brain where schizophrenia can
be localized (25/01/2010)
The Scientific Director of CIBERSAM
is the author of an article published
in The Parliament Magazine
The international scientific community may be closer to knowing the causes of schizophrenia after the study carried out by the Psychosis and Research Unit of Benito Menni CASM, part of the CIBERSAM network, which revealed structural and functional changes in the medial frontal cortex. This research, which was published in the prestigious journal ¨Molecular Psychiatry¨ is
especially important because no other previous work concerning this illness had found structural and functional cerebral anomalies in this part of the brain. The team lead by Dr. Edith Pomarol-Clotet conducted this study by examining and comparing the brains of 32 patients with schizophrenia against those of 32 healthy individuals through the use of three different resonance techniques. An article by the Scientifc Director of CIBERSAM was published in the
issue 302 of the European Parliament’s magazine (22nd February, 2010,
p. 131). Entitled “A coordinated approach”, in this article Celso Arango talks about the need to increase research funds in psychiatry and notes that schizophrenia is one of the most devastating diseases in Europe due to the human suffering it provokes and its associated social costs.
CIBERSAM leader of publications on psychiatry in Spain
(4/11/2010)
CIBERSAM is credited with having 494 publications since its inception of only 3 years, which makes this research consortium on mental health the entity with the most publications on psychiatry in Spain in the last 10 years. The data were obtained from the 2001-2010 bibliometric psychiatry study carried out by CIBERSAM with its “ISI Web of Knowledge” as the source. This study concluded that the principal journals with the most CIBERSAM publications
are the “Journal of Affective Disorders” with 27 contributions and “Schizophrenia Research” with 21. The number of CIBERSAM references in the 2001-2010 period was 1058. The research group of CIBER of Mental Health, led by Dr. Eduard Vieta of Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, had the most articles published in 2009 with 65 publications. Dr. Vieta was the most prolific Spanish psychiatrist having a total of 418 publications during the same period.
For further information see www.cibersam.es (Press)
Researchers of CIBERSAM discover the gene protein
ANKK1 (03/02/2010)
A Spanish research group published an article in “Biological Psychiatry” which shows for the first time the pattern of expression of the gene ANKK1. This new protein is found in the adult central nervous system (CNS), in humans and rats, exclusively in the astrocytes and in mice undergoing embryonic development of CNS in the radial glía. In vitro studies of astrocytes in mice treated with apomorphine suggest a possible relationship between ANKK1 and the dopaminergic
system. This study was conducted at the Neuroscience Laboratory of the Psychiatry Service located at the Research Unit of Hospital 12 de Octubre and included the participation of 9 researchers of this Centre. Seven of them -Janet Hoenicka, Adolfo Quiñones-Lombraña, Laura España-Serrano, Roberto Rodríguez-Jiménez, Miguel Ángel Jiménez-Arriero, Guillermo
