The Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH) in Mannheim is part of an international initiative aimed at improving research and care for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. The new Lancet Commission – initiated by the renowned medical journal The Lancet – brings together leading scientists and clinicians to systematically assess the current state of research and develop recommendations for the future.
Schizophrenia and related disorders affect around 23 million people worldwide. They are among the most complex psychiatric disorders, are often difficult to treat, and frequently place a substantial burden on affected individuals, their families, and healthcare systems.
New impetus for research and care
Despite major advances, significant gaps in knowledge and care remain, particularly in early detection, individualized treatment, and long-term support. The aim of the Lancet Commission is to consolidate existing scientific evidence, identify knowledge gaps, and define priorities for research, treatment, and health policy. The perspectives of people with lived experience and their relatives will also be systematically incorporated. In addition, differences between countries and healthcare systems, as well as issues related to stigma, will be taken into account. The findings are intended to contribute to more targeted, individualized, and effective treatment approaches.
Keeping patients’ perspectives at the center
The CIMH is one of the key collaborating partners in the global initiative. “The Commission brings together world-leading experts to integrate different perspectives and advance research and care in a targeted way,” says Prof. Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Director of the CIMH and Medical Director of its Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. “Above all, we want to focus on the issues that are truly relevant to affected individuals. By combining new technologies and neurobiological methods with a participatory approach, we hope to achieve meaningful progress.”
New approaches through international collaboration
Mental disorders are diagnosed, treated, and socially perceived differently around the world. At the same time, new technologies and neurobiological methods create opportunities to re-examine existing data and research from new perspectives. International collaboration across borders is therefore essential to fully harness this potential and foster new ideas, insights, and approaches.
CIMH contributes scientific and clinical expertise
The CIMH plays a central role in connecting European research institutions and contributes its particular strength in combining clinical expertise with neuroscience research. This includes the analysis of large multimodal datasets as well as the involvement of people with lived experience in research processes. The goal is to improve understanding of mental disorders and further develop personalized treatment approaches in the spirit of precision psychiatry.
In addition to Meyer-Lindenberg, the researchers involved from the institute include Dr Dilsa Altinok, physician; Moritz Spangemacher, physician; and Dr Bruno Pedraz, clinician scientist and physician.
Final report
The final report of the Lancet Commission is expected in 2028. It is intended to provide an important foundation for future research, clinical practice, and health policy decisions.