Mission:        

Improving the lives of those affected by addiction and mental health problems and promoting the health of people in Ontario and beyond

Vision:           

Strong and healthy communities, in which people with addiction and mental health problems can access appropriate and effective services and live as full participants 

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is the largest mental health and substance use research centre in Canada, and one of the largest in the world, combining research, clinical care, health promotion and education.  CAMH is a Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization Collaboration Centre, and is a teaching hospital fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.

CAMH was created in 1998 through the successful merger of the former Addiction Research Foundation, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Donwood Institute and Queen Street Mental Health Centre.  This allowed us to develop unrivalled depth and breadth in scientific discovery, and has focused our research efforts on understanding and improving the treatments for mental health and substance use problems.

Research at CAMH brings together internationally recognized scientists, state-of-the-art facilities, a range of professional training and a province-wide network of community program staff. These resources are interlaced across four areas of scientific focus:  

• Neuroscience Research
• Clinical Research
• Social, Prevention and Health Policy Research
• PET Centre

Research at CAMH is centred on excellence in science, focus in our efforts, relevance to CAMH mission, and integration across the scientific domains.

We are committed to working together so that our scientists conduct collaborative research across disciplines that catalyses change in how people receive care.

CAMH Profile – We have nearly 100 full-time scientists and approximately 300 staff; 72 graduate and 36 post doctorate fellows obtained research-training placements in 2005-2006; annual extramural funding $37,879, 456 (2005/06).

Areas of Research:

Neuroscience Research

The Neuroscience Research Department focuses on the mechanisms in the brain that underlie mental illness and addiction, and the mechanisms that are involved in their respective treatments. The department studies all levels of the brain—from molecules, through brain cells, to the whole brain in three areas of research: Molecular Medicine, Psychiatric Genetics, and Clinical & Behavioural Neuroscience.

Neuroscience research is divided into the following sections:

• Biobehavioural Pharmacology / Neurobiology of Alcohol
• Biopsychology
• Clinical Neuroscience
• Human Neurochemical Pathology Laboratory
• Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathophysiology
• Molecular Neuroscience
• Molecular Pharmacology
• Neuroimaging
• Pharmacogenetics
• Psychiatric Neurogenetics. 

Clinical Research

The Clinical Research Department is involved in research, treatment and education. This department contributes to these areas through scientific publications, presentations, and the sharing of knowledge with clinicians and the community at large. Clinical Research is divided into five sections:  

• Addictions
• Child, Youth and Family
• Law and Mental Health
• Mood and Anxiety Disorders
• Schizophrenia.  

Social, Prevention and Health Policy Research

The Social, Prevention and Health Policy Research Department conducts innovative, topical research using the latest methodological and statistical techniques. This work provides scientific evidence to inform policy decisions, health system redesign and other interventions. This restructured department comprises four integrated sections, each of which collaborates with the other research departments, clinical services and the Policy, Education and Health Promotion department.

The four sections are:  

• Health Systems Research & Consulting             
• Public Health & Regulatory Policies 
• Social and Community Prevention Research 
• Social, Equity and Health   

Positron Emission Tomography Centre

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique uniquely suited to study chemical and metabolic disturbances in patients and assess the effects of treatment. PET uses radioactive probes that are selected to target specific aspects of the brain chemistry: for example, the dopamine system in schizophrenia or the serotonin system in depression. After injection of a minute amount of these radioactive

probes in a patient, the PET camera can measure their distribution in the brain. By performing PET scans before and after treatment with a medication, PET can measure the effects of that medication on the brain.

The PET Centre is is equipped with two state of the art scanners and a cyclotron. We are the only PET facility in Canada fully dedicated to mental health and addictions research, and one of a few in the world. Our main focus is on studying chemical brain messengers through PET methods, to better understand the neurochemical root of mental illness and addiction. The ultimate goals are to:   

• improve the lives of clients and their families by enhancing the effectiveness of existing treatments and reducing side effects
• to encourage innovative approaches to drug development by using PET in the early stages of evaluating new drugs.   

Currently, research in the PET centre is focused on radiochemistry and PET methodology, schizophrenia, and mood neurochemistry. Moving forward, the PET Centre will expand its core activities and collaborations with clinicians in the fields of substance abuse and geriatrics.