How is Metabolism Connected to Mental Health?
Dr Arish Mudra Rakshasa-Loots, Hub for Metabolic Psychiatry, The University of Edinburgh
People with severe mental health conditions tend to have high rates of disruptions in how the body breaks down food to produce energy, resulting in metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. There is also some evidence that treatments for these metabolic disorders can help to improve mental health outcomes. More research is needed to fully understand the links between metabolism and mental health. We are carrying out a clinical research study called METPSY in the recently established Hub for Metabolic Psychiatry (University of Edinburgh). The goal of this research is to better understand whether metabolic issues are linked to changes in mental health outcomes among young people with severe mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. In this talk, Dr Arish Mudra Rakshasa-Loots will discuss:
some of the early evidence that has led us to developing this study,
how we are involving people with lived experience of severe mental health conditions and metabolic issues as advisors to this study, and
how we are working to recruit a diverse range of participants for this research.