The results of this study are consistent with a previous study of 428 schizophrenia related research grants supported by NIMH in 2018. Three psychiatrists, including Drs. Knable and Torrey, independently rated them on the likelihood of improving the symptoms and/or quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia within 20 years. At least one reviewer rated 90 percent of the grants, and all three reviewers rated 70 percent of the grants as being “very unlikely” to do so. The results are also consistent with the 2015 claim of Dr. Thomas Insel, then Director of NIMH, that only 10 percent of NIMH research funding was going to clinical trials research.
In summarizing the new bipolar disorder study, Dr. Knable said the following:
“While it is certainly important to invest in basic research to improve our understanding of brain function, as a clinician it is very disheartening for me to see the lack of emphasis on developing better treatments and better access to care for the many who suffer from mental illnesses.”
Added Dr. Torrey:
“For the last two decades NIMH research has contributed very little to help people with serious mental illnesses who are of my generation or my children’s generation. My grandchildren are now in their 20s and it looks very unlikely that their generation will receive any help from NIMH either. Thirty or forty years from now, it is possible that my great grandchildren or my great-great grandchildren will receive some benefit from NIMH’s current basic research but that remains to be seen. This situation is unacceptable. People currently affected also have a right to research.”
The published report is available here.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our mission.
Sincerely,
Treatment Advocacy Center
