Pictured from left to right: Qiong Sha, Ph.D., of VAI, Lena Brundin, M.D., Ph.D. of VAI, Eric Achtyes, M.D., M.S. of Pine Rest, LeAnn Smart of Pine Rest.
VAI, Pine Rest study shows biomarkers can predict depression in pregnancy
Findings from a new study led by scientists at Van Andel Institute and Pine Rest show that biomarkers in the blood can help predict and identify severe depression in pregnancy. The team’s findings could give physicians a much-needed tool to identify women who may be at risk for depression and better tailor their care throughout pregnancy.
Co-senior authors are:
- Eric Achtyes, M.D., M.S., Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
- Lena Brundin, M.D., Ph.D., Van Andel Institute
“Our findings are an exciting development and an important first step toward using these types of methods more widely to help patients.”
— Eric Achtyes, M.D., M.S., staff psychiatrist at Pine Rest.
Research at Pine Rest
Research offers the opportunity for our staff and patients to be involved in novel and innovative approaches to psychiatric care. By partnering with the biotechnology community, industry and academia-based research programs, Pine Rest demonstrates its dedication to advancing the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders.
The Pine Rest clinican staff and MSU College of Human Medicine faculty members have been published in several high impact scientific journals on depression, schizophrenia, dementia, bipolar disorder, bioethics, epidemiology, inflammation, smoking cessation, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and platelet function, and have worked on projects involving pharmacogenomics, electroconvulsive therapy, new depression screening tools and psychotropic medications, biomarkers of depression, and the impact of forgiveness and spirituality on treatment outcomes. Clinical staff and faculty members also serve as reviewers for numerous peer-reviewed journals as well as members of institutional review boards and NIH study sections.
Some of our recent research collaborations have included partnerships with Duke University, Fuller Theological Seminary, Mayo Clinic, McLean Hospital (Harvard Medical School Affiliate), Michigan State University, National Institutes of Health, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, University of Pittsburgh, Van Andel Research Institute and Washington University Saint Louis.
For more information, our research staff can be reached at 616.222.4592 or research@pinerest.org
Pine Rest Research Studies
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Electroconvulsive Therapy versus Usual Care for the Acute Management of Severe Agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia (ECT-AD)
National Institute on Aging (NIA).
About the Project
Collaboration with McLean Hospital (Harvard Medical School Affiliate, Belmont, Massachusetts), Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia), Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota), Northwell Health (Manhattan, New York City, New York) and The Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, South Carolina).
News Stories
Ethical Concerns and Attitudes towards Psychiatric Electroceutical Interventions
NIH and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
About the Project
Prevalence of Psychotherapy Use Among Children and Adolescents Prescribed Antipsychotics
Publications
Diagnosis and Use of Psychotherapy Among Children and Adolescents Prescribed Antipsychotics.
VOCATIONS study: Validation of Computer Adaptive Testing for Mental Health (CAT-MH) in an Outpatient Setting
Collaboration with University of Chicago (Chicago, IL) and University of Pittsburg (Pittsburg, PA)
Publications
VOCATIONS addendum study: Correlating Depression Symptoms and Suicidality to Inflammatory Biomarkers of Depression
Collaboration with Van Andel Research Institute (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Publications
- An inflammatory profile linked to increased suicide risk. (Collaboration with Michigan State University, University of Chicago, University of Maryland-Baltimore School of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern and Van Andel Research Institute.)
- The acute-phase mediator serum amyloid A is associated with symptoms of depression and fatigue.
Safety and Utility of Electroconvulsive Therapy for Agitation and Aggression in Dementia
Collaboration with McLean Hospital (Harvard Medical School Affiliate, Belmont, Massachusetts), Duke University (Durham, North Carolina) and Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota)
Publications
- Safety and utility of acute electroconvulsive therapy for agitation and aggression in dementia.
- Study of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Treatment for Agitation and Aggression in Dementia
News Stories
Forgiveness and Spiritual Distress in an Inpatient Psychiatric Setting
Collaboration with Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, California)
Publications
- God imagery and affective outcomes in a spiritually integrative inpatient program.
- Patient patients: Increased patience associated with decreased depressive symptoms in psychiatric treatment
- Spiritual struggles and mental health outcomes in a spiritually integrated inpatient program
- Understanding the roles of religious comfort and strain on depressive symptoms in an inpatient psychiatric setting.
Evaluation of the Clinical Impact of the Antidepressant Pharmacogenomic Algorithm in an Outpatient Setting – A Randomized, Double Blind Pilot Study
Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode Early Treatment Program (RAISE study)
Collaboration with Cherry Health (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Publications
- The RAISE early treatment program for first-episode psychosis: background, rationale, and study design.
- An Integrated Program for the Treatment of First Episode of Psychosis (RAISE ETP)
- Cardiometabolic risk in patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders: baseline results from the RAISE-ETP study.
- Comprehensive Versus Usual Community Care for First-Episode Psychosis: 2-Year Outcomes From the NIMH RAISE Early Treatment Program.
- Cost-Effectiveness of Comprehensive, Integrated Care for First Episode Psychosis in the NIMH RAISE Early Treatment Program.
- Longitudinal associations of family burden and patient quality of life in the context of first-episode schizophrenia in the RAISE-ETP study
News Stories
PRELAPSE Study: Comparison of a Long-acting Injectable Antipsychotic vs Clinician’s Choice Early in Treatment to Break the Cycle of Relapse in Early Phase
Collaboration with Cherry Health (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Improving Care and Reducing Cost (ICRC) Study – Schizophrenia
Collaboration with Cherry Health (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
The Biological Triggers of Depression in Pregnancy (Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites in Perinatal Depression and Suicidality)
Collaborators include: National Institutes of Health, Spectrum Health (Grand Rapids, Michigan) and Van Andel Research Institute (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Publications
News Stories
Examining Spirituality and Mental Health Outcomes in Psychiatric Inpatients
Collaboration with: Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, California)
Clarifying How Views of the Afterlife, Hope, and Meaning Influence Suicidal Ideation in Psychiatric Inpatients
Collaboration with: Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, California)
Effects of Successful Treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders on Copper and Zinc Levels.
Funded by Pine Rest Foundation Wondergem grant.
A Longitudinal Study of Inflammatory Pathways in Depression.
Funded by National Institutes of Health
Collaboration with: Van Andel Research Institute (Grand Rapids, Michigan).
News Stories
Herpes Simplex and Psychiatric Symptoms.
Funded by Pine Rest Foundation Wondergem grant.
Collaboration with: Van Andel Research Institute.
Bio-K Study: A Single-Arm, Open-Label, Biomarker Development Clinical Trial of Ketamine for Non-Psychotic MDD and Bipolar I and II.
Collaboration with: National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC)
Environmental Factors of Depression and Suicide (Geocoding).
Collaboration with: University of Michigan.
Long Term Antipsychotic Pediatric Safety Trial.
Funded by: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institue of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Collaboration with: Duke University.
Genetics of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).
Funded by: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Collaboration with: National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC).
Publications
News Stories
Five-year, $3.6 million federal grant to fuel search for biomarker-based methods to evaluate suicide risk
In the first study of its kind, scientists from Pine Rest, Van Andel Institute, and Columbia University will seek to identify blood-based biomarkers for suicide risk, laying the foundation for a test that could allow for earlier, life-saving intervention. Enrollment for the five-year study is slated to begin enrolling at Pine Rest in October.
Lead Investigators are:
- Eric Achtyes, M.D., M.S., Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
- Lena Brundin, M.D., Ph.D., Van Andel Institute
- John Mann, M.D., Columbia University Department of Psychiatry
“We’ve now found a way that is acceptable for people from all sorts of background to get help.” -Eric Achtyes, MD
→ARTICLE: Schizophrenia Patients More Willing to Manage Symptoms Using Smartphones
