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New centre for affective disorders opens in Cambridge

Affective disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress can have a devastating effect on the lives of children and adults. A new centre to support research that improves understanding and treatment of these affective disorders in children, adolescents and adults opened on the 14th December in Cambridge.

The Cambridge Clinical Research Centre in Affective Disorders (C2AD) will  research the development and evaluation of clinical interventions for affective disorders across the lifespan and aims to promote an integrated perspective on treatment, across the various support services. C2AD will bring together NHS clinical practitioners and researchers from academic departments, uniting the affective disorders community in Cambridge.

The C2AD centre is a partnership between the Medical Research Council  Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (MRC CBSU), the University of Cambridge, and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT). C2AD is co-directed by Cambridge Neuroscientists Dr Tim Dalgleish (left) from the MRC CBSU and Professor Ian Goodyer (right) from the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, with Dr Rajini Ramana (CPFT) as the Clinical Director. The centre will be based at the Herchel Smith Building for Brain and Mind Sciences on the Forvie Site at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, and at the Douglas House site on Trumpington Road in Cambridge.

C2AD is already hosting a range of translational research projects. These include basic science studies examining core mind and brain processes that underpin affective disorders, the ROOTS study following teenagers at risk for depression through into early adulthood to understand onset and vulnerability, and treatment trials evaluating the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy for treatment and relapse prevention of depression and posttraumatic stress in adults and children.

To mark the launch, a one day conference is being held at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge. Keynote speakers from across the UK will be talking about clinical research in affective disorders, ranging from fundamental science through to delivery of treatments in health service settings, and over 60 delegates will be attending from the academic and clinical communities. Due to demand for places registration for the event is already closed.

To learn more about C2AD contact Tim Dalgleish. Press release from the MRC CBSU.

Posted on 21/12/2009