A/Prof @UniMelb | Head @MPSG_research | Cognition | Emotion | Bipolar. Default parent. Coffee enthusiast. Free 🍉 @tamsynvr.bsky.social @ISBD4 Board
Melbourne
Joined April 2014
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The Mood-Psychosis Spectrum Group of @MNC_Psychiatry has joined Twitter. Give us a follow @MPSG_research if you're keen to keep up with our latest work on #bipolar, #bipolardisorder, #psychosis, & #neuropsychology, #cognition, #emotionprocessing
Dr Tamsyn VanRheenen retweeted
Disease biology is heterogeneous, but most research reduces it to group means
NEW WORK characterizing HETEROGENEITY in BRAIN and BIOCHEMICAL biomarkers across >1/2 million people & >30 disorders:
nature.com/articles/s41467-0…
Check out the online resource:
tinyurl.com/bdecwsnb
for building a more coherent and clinically meaningful evidence base. In essence, the CAS-BD project offers a roadmap for what to measure next, moving us closer to standardised cognitive endpoints that better reflect everyday social and emotional functioning.
For researchers & clinicians working on cognition &/or interventions in bipolar disorder, the CAS‑BD project offers a practical framework with clearer definitions of affective and social cognition in BD, guidance on which domains to prioritise, & an initial toolkit
In response, we propose a preliminary, consensus‑based battery for each subdomain. While not definitive, consistent use of these tools should improve cross‑study comparability and help clarify how affective and social cognition relate to real‑world outcomes in bipolar disorder.
The Delphi process also highlighted substantial gaps & heterogeneity in how these constructs are currently assessed, with limited consistency in task selection across research groups. Currently, this lack of alignment constrains replication, meta‑analysis, & data harmonisation.
For social cognition, key domains included theory of mind, emotion recognition, attributional style, and social perception/knowledge, with explicit emotion regulation and theory of mind emerging as the highest priorities for future research.
For affective cognition, the panel highlighted emotional decision making, attentional bias, and multiple facets of emotion regulation.
Using a Delphi model with an expert international panel, we reached consensus on what should be measured in affective & social cognition research in bipolar, identified priority domains for future work, & proposed an initial battery of measures to improve across-study consistency
This project was first conceptualised during the early COVID period and reflects several years of international collaboration.
Happy to share a paper I led alongside a small working group of colleagues as part of ISBD Targeting Cognition Taskforce: “Consensus on Subdomains and Measures of Relevance to Affective and Social Cognition Research on Bipolar Disorder (CAS‑BD)”, tinyurl.com/3mws32wu
Dr Tamsyn VanRheenen retweeted
We are launching the Catherine Medalia Johannet memorial prize for best Early Career or Lived Experience paper in Cognitive Rehabilitation. Please see the link and share with relevant colleagues: tinyurl.com/bab38hcs
Dr Tamsyn VanRheenen retweeted
➡️ Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and recurrent mood disorder, and among the leading causes of disability because of its negative impact on functioning and high mortality.
➡️ Careful clinical assessment is crucial to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment.
➡️ The treatment of BD involves acute treatment, which alleviates immediate symptoms, followed by maintenance treatment aimed at preventing the recurrence of mood disturbances.
Our educational slide decks on this complex condition provide an introduction to BD as a heterogeneous disorder, illustrated by its symptoms, comorbidities, and treatment responses of individual patients.
Follow the link to access free educational slide decks, illustrations, and expert videos on the topic: neurotorium.org/bipolar/
The Australasian COgnitive Recovery in Mental Health Network (ACORN) website is now live. ACORN is a collaborative network dedicated to improving cognitive health outcomes for people experiencing mental illness across Australasia. Check it out here: acorn-mh.org/
Dr Tamsyn VanRheenen retweeted
Last chance to register for the upcoming webinar with Prof Amy Pinkham this Friday! Get in quick before registration closes.
We're excited to share that ACORN is hosting another webinar. The webinar will be presented by Prof Amy Pinkham and is focused on social cognition in schizophrenia and related conditions. Scan the QR code or follow the link below to find out more
tinyurl.com/yc8ccbtk
Dr Tamsyn VanRheenen retweeted
Prescribing or taking lithium + starting a GLP-1 agonist?
⚠️ Monitor lithium levels closely—GLP-1s may alter absorption and clearance.
#PsychiatryPearls #GLP1 #LithiumSafety
Glad to have published this alarming case series, where semaglutide initiation was followed by increased lithium level or toxicity, despite no clear side effects or decreased intake (in 2/3 cases).
Thanks to @DrSola1, @JGLPharmD, @BalSinghMD
@MayoPsych
journals.lww.com/psychopharm…
Had a great time at the Neurotorium expert meeting on cognition in brain disorders. Now looking forward to #ECNP2025 @neurotorium
Please join us for our next ACORN webinar, featuring Prof Amy Pinkham!
tinyurl.com/yc8ccbtk
We're excited to share that ACORN is hosting another webinar. The webinar will be presented by Prof Amy Pinkham and is focused on social cognition in schizophrenia and related conditions. Scan the QR code or follow the link below to find out more
tinyurl.com/yc8ccbtk