MRC PhD students

The aim of his research is the identification of viable quantitative markers (endophenotypes) of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Meta-analytic procedures will identify viable neuropsychological endophenotypes, and help determine whether these endophenotypes are better able to discriminate between naturalistically-defined groups than the dichotomous category of posttraumatic stress disorder identified by current diagnostic systems. Empirically-based trauma groups will be identified through the application of novel statistical techniques  to data from the South Africa Stress and Health Study (SASH). The viability of brain activity and functional connectivity patterns as endophenotypes will also be assessed, given the potentially greater sensitivity and specificity of these methods above cognitive traits alone.  Finally, evidence from genetics and family/twin studies will be reviewed in assessing the hereditability of putative endophenotypes.

Meta-analyses of neuropsychology and functional imaging in PTSD are currently underway. The feasibility of using the SASH data in determining the structural characteristics of trauma response is being investigated.

Jonathan Ipser is the project manager for the Brain and Behaviour Initiative (http://www.psychiatry.uct.ac.za/cubbi), one of UCT's signature themes. He can be contacted at: jipser@curie.uct.ac.za

Supervisor: Jonathan Ipser's thesis is being supervised by Prof. Dan Stein, the Director of the MRC's Anxiety and Stress Disorders Research Unit and Head of the Psychiatry department at the University of Cape Town.