Precision Mental Health Research Unites PUCPR and University of Oxford
Innovative Program by PUCPR Londrina and UEL Collects Data for a Clinical Trial in the United Kingdom; Research Promises Accurate and Personalized Diagnoses
Professors and students from the Medical School in PUCPR Londrina, UEL and guests
LONDRINA, Brazil — This past Aril, Andrea Cipriani, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford and director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), joined a cohort of researchers in Londrina. He collaborated with participants from a mental health and psychiatry research initiative involving the PUCPR Londrina Campus, the Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), and Oxford University.
The pioneering program, which began in Londrina, is amassing data for the PETRUSHKA study, a groundbreaking randomized clinical trial (RCT) aimed at personalizing pharmacological treatments for adults with major depressive disorder within the UK’s National Health Service. The goal is to tailor treatments for individuals with bipolar depression, focusing on the local community. Medical students from PUCPR and UEL will be actively involved in data collection.
Cipriani stressed the significance of human resources in an international institution dedicated to innovation and the enhancement of healthcare delivery. “Here, the universities form a cohesive, welcoming, and highly knowledgeable team, not just on clinical issues but also on the methodological components of what we call precision mental health,” he remarked.
He also underscored the importance of the collaborative environment and approach for international research, noting the group’s openness to new ideas. “We can learn a lot from each other, and the approach here is unique because it embraces new ideas while adapting them to local realities, ensuring they work for the context in which you live and work,” Cipriani added.
Professor Paulo Bignardi said the visit was an enriching experience. He highlighted that the partnership initiated with the PETRUSHKA clinical trial research group at Oxford’s Mental Health Department opens up knowledge exchange and mobility opportunities for students and researchers from PUCPR Londrina School of Medicine at an esteemed international institution.
Professors Paulo Bignardi, Karen Fernandes, Cristina Pellegrino Baena and Visiting Professor Andrea Cipriani
Impact on the Local Community
Karen Fernandes, coordinator of the Research Support Center of the Medical Association (NAP-AML) in Londrina and a Professor at PUCPR Londrina, emphasized the progress in applying the Petruska platform for Precision Mental Health, which allows for more informed decision-making in treatment. Patients actively choose therapies based on the expected benefits and potential side effects of the recommended drug dosage.
Professor Cristina Pellegrino Baena, from the PUCPR Curitiba School of Medicine, highlighted the Londrina campus’s commitment to public health and mental health research. She noted the strong connections with public entities and the involvement of students in the project. “It is a ‘virtuous cycle’ of knowledge and science production, ultimately improving the population’s quality of life and health.” Despite lacking a master’s or doctoral program, the campus has become a significant research hub with impactful studies to enhance public health.
The research project involves various institutions in Londrina, including PUCPR, UEL, the Municipal Government, the Medical Association (AML), Sebrae, and the Salus Institute.
