Psychosis Early Intervention: From Bench to Practice

Saturday, March 19, 2016
The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia’s first ever conference dedicated to highlighting the emerging science of psychosis early intervention for youth was held at the Carter Center in March, 2016. Hosted by DeKalb CSB’s CEO, Dr. Joseph Bona, this conference featured some of the top researchers in the country who reviewed the latest scientific findings in this developing area of early schizophrenia and psychosis. If you would like to learn more about Psychosis Early Intervention, view the videos below or on YouTube.

DeKalb CSB’s Prevention and Early Intervention Program (PEIP) strives to reduce the duration of untreated schizophrenia in youth or those considered at high risk for developing psychotic illnesses. The surveillance and monitoring program identifies youth at ultra-high risk of developing schizophrenia before they experience their first psychotic break. “This program is imperative to stop individuals from being permanently disabled for the rest of their lives,” shares Rachel Weissman, Team Lead of the Prevention and Early Intervention Program. “A lot of things get taken away from those with schizophrenia, and we want them to have happy and successful lives in whatever way that means for them.”

 

 

Program Agenda & Highlights

8:30-8:45 a.m. Welcome: Joseph Bona, MD. Adjunct Associate Professor, Emory University Department of Psychiatry. Chief Executive Officer, DeKalb Community Service Board.

8:45-9:45 a.m. Stress and Neuromaturational Processes in the Prodrome to Psychosis – Elaine Walker, PhD. and Samuel Candler Dobbs, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Emory University Department of Psychology.

9:45-10:45 a.m. The Impact of Premorbid/Adolescent Marijuana Use on the Age at Onset of Psychosis and Other Early-Course Feature- Michael T. Compton, MD, MPH Professor of Psychiatry, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine Chairman, Lenox Hill Hospital Department of Psychiatry

11:00-12:00 p.m. Treatment Engagement Strategies in First Episode Psychosis: What does the evidence say?- Robert Cotes, MD Assistant Professor, Emory University Department of Psychiatry Clinical Director for Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia Clinic

12:00-12:30 p.m. Panel & Q&A with Morning Speakers

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Potential Markers of Risk and Early Interventions to Prevent Conversion to Psychosis- Joseph McEvoy, MD Professor, Department of Psychiatry Augusta University/ Medical College of Georgia Clark Case Chair in Psychotic Disorders

2:30-3:30 p.m. Organizing a Psychosis Early Intervention Program in the Public Sector: Lessons Learned- Joseph Bona, MD, MBA Adjunct Associate Professor, Emory University Department of Psychiatry Chief Executive Officer, DeKalb Community Service Board.

3:30-4:30 p.m. Kindling for a Growing Fire? Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and High-Risk Psychosis- Brian Miller, MD, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry Augusta University/ Medical College of Georgia

4:30-5:00 p.m. Panel & Q&A with All Speakers