Etiopathogenesis and treatment of severe mental disorders (MERITT)
Research Program
Where we are
Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu
Related websites
An estimated 2.8% of the population currently suffers from severe mental health disorders. Our group is made up of a multidisciplinary team (psychiatrists, psychologists, nursing staff, biologists, social workers, etc.) committed to conducting research centred around persons suffering from severe mental health disorders. The focus of our work is very broad, ranging from gene expression factors to psychosocial interventions.
The group forms part of the Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), funded by the Carlos III Health Institute and is recognised by AGAUR as a consolidated group (Government of Catalonia, 2017 SGR 964).
Research lines
- Mental health interventions; led by Dr Judith Usall.
- Clinical, cognitive and psychosocial basis of severe mental health disorders; led by Dr Susana Ochoa.
- Molecular psychiatry; led by Dr Belen Ramos.
- Research in Mental Health in the penal field - SMAP; led by Dr. Gemma Escuder.
Scientific objectives
- To conduct clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of oestrogen in patients with schizophrenia.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of psychological treatments in persons with psychosis.
- To promote research into the effectiveness of new technologies in the management of patients with psychosis.
- To determine the clinical, social or neuropsychological variables involved in poorer outcomes in severe mental disorders, paying particular attention to the early stages with a view to preventing disease progression. We also explore biological aspects relating to sex hormones.
- To study the clinical, social and neuropsychological differences between various serious mental health disorders, in first-episode psychosis and in special populations (e.g. intellectual disabilities or prison) in relation to mental health.
- To make available adequate measuring instruments to evaluate people with severe mental disorders.
- To discover which molecular pathways are altered in the brain of persons with chronic schizophrenia, especially those involved in the neurodevelopment or the functioning of synaptic transmission and with special interest in transcription factors; and also, to investigate the relationship between these pathways and neuropsychological symptoms and functioning.
- To study the regulation of altered molecular pathways in schizophrenia in the brain of animal models of psychosis and in cell models.
- To study peripheral biomarkers in psychosis as they relate to symptoms, cognitive functioning, structural changes in the brain and in response to therapeutic interventions.
Area/Field of expertise
Research methodologies and techniques:
In our research into the clinical, cognitive and psychosocial bases of severe mental health disorders, we examine samples from patients with psychotic disorders at various stages of their illness. Patient cohorts are also followed up. Our research is conducted through clinical interviews and the use of clinical and neuropsychological scales. The need for appropriate measurement scales has prompted us to create and validate measurement instruments.
Regarding our research into mental health interventions, we carry out clinical trials of medicines already available on the market to evaluate their effectiveness in new indications. We also conduct clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological treatments.
In molecular psychiatry, we have conducted studies on post-mortem brain tissue, mainly in schizophrenia. We examine specific markers using traditional biochemical techniques (immunoblot) as well as molecular biology (real-time RT-PCR gene expression) studies and, occasionally, genetic sequencing. We also conduct screening activities using quantitative proteomic techniques in post-mortem brain tissue in schizophrenia. Our researchers perform biomarker studies in peripheral mononuclear blood cells in patients with psychotic disorders and neuroimaging studies with structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging. We have attained a deeper understanding of some molecular pathways through studies in primary cultures of rat neurons or astrocytes and/or psychosis models in mice.

Group members
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Jefe de Grupo Senior
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Adela Berrozpe Blasco
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Gemma Escartin Martin
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Investigador pre-doc
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Gabriel Ledesma Iparraguirre
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Alexandrina Foix Sanjuan
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Jorge Cuevas Esteban
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María Trinidad Peláez Martínez
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America Jennifer Vera Montecinos
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José Manuel Fernández Rodríguez
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Alicia Colomer Salvans
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Investigador pre-doc
Last Publications
- Mortier P, Gemma Vilagut Saiz, Alayo I, Ferrer M, Amigo F, Aragonès E, Aragón-Peña A, Asúnsolo Del Barco A, Campos M, Espuga M, González-Pinto A, Haro JM, López Fresneña N, Martínez de Salázar A, Molina JD, Ortí-Lucas RM, Parellada M, Pelayo-Terán JM, Pérez-Gómez B, Pérez-Zapata A, Pijoan JI, Plana N, Polentinos-Castro E, Portillo-Van Diest A, Puig MT, Rius C, Sanz F, Serra C, Urreta-Barallobre I, Kessler RC, Bruffaerts R, Vieta E, Pérez-Solá V, Alonso J and MINDCOVID Working group Four-month incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among healthcare workers after the first wave of the Spain COVID-19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH . 149: 10-17.
- Martínez-Pinteño A, Mezquida G, Bioque M, López-Ilundain JM, Andreu-Bernabeu Á, Zorrilla I, Mané A, Rodríguez-Jiménez R, Corripio I, Sarró S, Ibáñez Á, Usall J, Rivero O, Gassó P, Leza JC, Cuesta MJ, Parellada M, González-Pinto A, Berrocoso E, Mas S, Bernardo M and 2EPs Group The role of BDNF and NGF plasma levels in first-episode schizophrenia: A longitudinal study. EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY . 57: 105-117.
- Cunill R, Castells X, González-Pinto A, Arrojo M, Bernardo M, Sáiz PA, Florez G, Torrens M, Tirado-Muñoz J, Fonseca F, Arranz B, Garriga M, Goikolea JM, Zorrilla I, Becoña E, Angeles López Ponce and San L Clinical practice guideline on pharmacological and psychological management of adult patients with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and comorbid substance use. Adicciones . 34(2): 168-178.
Projects
- Project name:
- Pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of online Family Metacognitive Training (MCTf) in mothers with psychosis and their adolescent children.
- Leader
- Susana Ochoa Güerre
- Funding entities:
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
- Code
- PI21/00012
- Starting - finishing date:
- 2022 - 2024
- Project name:
- Contratos Miguel Servet tipo II. Beneficiari: Belen Ramos
- Leader
- Belen Ramos JoseMaria
- Funding entities:
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
- Code
- CPII21/00008
- Starting - finishing date:
- 2022 - 2024
- Project name:
- Study of neuropsychological sequelae in patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection: relationship with inflammatory and blood brain barrier disruption biomarkers.
- Leader
- Belen Ramos JoseMaria
- Funding entities:
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
- Code
- PI21/00059
- Starting - finishing date:
- 2022 - 2024
Theses
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Proteomic profile in postmortem brain in chronic schizophrenia
- Author
- Vera Montecinos, America Jennifer
- Institution
- UNIVERSIDAD DE BARCELONA
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Analysis of personal constructs in psychotic disorders
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- García Mieres, Helena
- Institution
- UNIVERSIDAD DE BARCELONA
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Biomarcadores y Trastorno Bipolar
- Institution
- UNIVERSIDAD DE BARCELONA
News
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61% of people with early psychotic episodes have experienced childhood trauma
A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research and conducted by Regina Vila, a predoctoral researcher, and led by Dr. Judith Usall, co-coordinator of the Ethiopathogenesis and Treatment of Severe Mental Disorders (MERITT) group at the Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, analyzes factors and sociodemographic variables that may influence the onset and evolution of a first episode psychotic.
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Psychosocial and psychological interventions reduce relapse risk in schizophrenia
Dr. Helena García-Mieres from the IRSJD has collaborated in an international study, led by researchers from the Technical University of Munich and the University of Catania, which has analyzed the results of different studies on relapses in schizophrenia to check the efficacy of psychological and psychosocial interventions for its relapse prevention.
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Study reveals that a high percentage of children and adolescents with early onset psychosis suffer from clinical depression
A study carried out by researchers from the Institut Sant Joan de Déu and the Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu reveals that a high percentage of children and adolescents with early onset psychosis suffer from clinical depression. The article has been published in the scientific journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.