St George Bank boost for schizophrenia research

October 21, 2003

A PhD student's vital research into schizophrenia was recognised when senior St George Bank representatives visited the University of Wollongong on 20 October to present a cheque for $25,000.

Mr David Clulow, Regional Leader, Branch Sales and Service and Ms Marion Regent, Area Manager of Retail Branches for the Illawarra for St George Bank made the cheque presentation.

The payment was presented to Ms Kelly Newell a young Illawarra researcher and marked the conclusion of a St George Foundation three-year PhD scholarship into schizophrenia research. The research has been taking place under the direction of Associate Professor Xu-Feng Huang, who heads the NISAD Schizophrenia Research team, located at UOW's Department of Biomedical Science.

The work of Ms Newell is centred on what role a particular brain region has in regard to attention and memory functions that are altered in schizophrenia. She has been examining a range of neurotransmitter systems using the latest neurobiological techniques. The mechanism of action of current schizophrenia medications in treating the illness is also being investigated.

Information obtained from this study could provide substantial benefits to sufferers of schizophrenia through the development of better diagnosis, new treatments and preventative strategies.

Don McDonald, the Director of a unique partnership project between NSW Health and NISAD Schizophrenia Research has paid tribute to the St George Foundation for providing this sponsorship, which has enabled Ms Newell to begin a new career in this important area of research as well as give hope to the 3,000 families in the Illawarra who have a loved one who suffers from schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is now the biggest single cause of lifelong youth disablement in Australia. It is also a major cause of youth suicide with a 10% suicide rate. The illness is overwhelming our health system and our police service and is causing widespread homelessness and family dislocation and disruption. The illness costs the community $2.6 billion a year, Mr McDonald said.