Mind Shift
There’s a compact lab space on the 7th floor of the John Buhler Research Centre at HSC. Unexpectedly placed next to a conference room, it’s well laid out, bright and airy, with a great view… a view Dr. Xin-Min Li and his team don’t spend a lot of time enjoying. Their focus is elsewhere.
“We are applying the techniques and strategies for neuroscience to the treatment of mental disorders such as depression and schizophrenia,” said Dr. Li. It’s brave and innovative work. “We were the first in the world to discover that atypical antipsychotic medication has neuro-protective properties,” said Dr. Li. “This suggested to us that mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia should really be categorized as neurodegenerative diseases, and treated as such.”
“That would mean a shift in the pathology and treatment of these conditions; we could move from controlling the symptoms to treating the source. We could apply techniques and strategies from neuroscience to treatment of mental illness.”
Dr. Li’s passion for his work is clear, as he outlines the potential impact of his team’s efforts to analyze, evaluate and work to develop new approaches; new medications, as well as the expanded application of current medications.
“It’s a completely new way of thinking about these illnesses. When you identify them as neurodegenerative, you accept that they are progressive diseases, necessitating different levels of treatment along the way,” he said.
“For example, it makes sense, then, to continue on medication even if the symptoms – like depression, say – appear better, because the underlying cause is still there.”
Dr. Li, extensively trained in neuroscience and mental health, has been working in this field for 20 years. In the last two years – since he’s been here at HSC – he and his team have brought in $2 million in new grants and published ten papers.
He is a practicing psychiatrist as well as a research scientist. There are a number of clinician scientists at HSC, a deliberate choice that Dr. Li values.
“Being a clinician as well as an investigator gives added balance to my work,” he said. “Doing something new and exciting is important. Doing something significant and impactful to the patient is more important. That is what HSC is promoting.”
Dr. Li sees his lab as a base for a network of collaboration. While it was designed as a generic space, for use by as wide a range of researchers as possible, he is grateful that it is available to him.
“As of January, I finally have my whole team here. This lab – so generously outfitted thanks to donors to the HSC Foundation – made that possible.”
Dr. Li cites the “wonderful support mechanisms” in place at HSC, and is enthusiastic about the future of his work, both clinical and scientific.
“The hope and potential here at HSC is great. The emphasis on the brain - not just in the traditional sense, but also with regard to mental health issues - and the commitment of resources help make this an exciting place to further my research."