Introducing the Hub for Metabolic Psychiatry

Severe mental illness (including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and severe depression) is an under researched/neglected area, particularly in comparison with common mental health conditions. The Hub for Metabolic Psychiatry is one of six research hubs forming the basis of the UKRI Mental Health Platform, an initiative established in 2024 to address this research gap and the urgent need for more effective diagnosis, interventions and prevention approaches for people with severe mental illness (SMI)

Our Hub is focused on understanding the biological and social interface between metabolism and SMI, with a view to developing and testing novel metabolic treatment approaches for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. Recent research has shown that individuals living with these conditions are at increased risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and premature mortality, with a reduced life expectancy of at least 15 years. As such, we seek to investigate SMI from a ‘whole-body’ perspective, rather than focusing solely on the brain or psychological symptoms, to advance our understanding of the relationship between physical and mental health. Across six workstreams, we aim to:

• Bring together metabolic science and mental health researchers from across disciplines to increase research activity and capacity in metabolic psychiatry.
• Advance our understanding of the bi-directional relationship between metabolic and mental health.
• Work closely with people with lived experience to identify, prioritise, develop and test acceptable metabolism-based treatments for SMI.

We work closely with lived experience organisations, including The McPin Foundation and The James Lind Alliance, to ensure our work is grounded in the priorities of those with lived experience.

Head over to our website to learn more: www.metabolicpsychiatryhub.com or watch this video introducing the Hub.

See also: Metabolic psychiatry: key priorities for an emerging field