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SOMIND

Interplay of Somatic, Mental, and Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Our research group is dedicated to studying the complex interactions between somatic, mental and neurodevelopmental conditions, with a particular emphasis on the young population.

Youth mental conditions are becoming more and more common, which presents a serious public health concern. Many young people struggling with somatic conditions, such as obesity and metabolic and gastrointestinal diseases, frequently face mental health challenges in addition to their somatic disease. However, our understanding of the etiology, risk factors, and treatment strategies is largely based on a single-disease paradigm. Currently, there is a significant gap in the healthcare system regarding comprehensive and coordinated care for patients with co-occurring somatic and mental conditions. Furthermore, the complex relationship between psychotropic medications and somatic health complicates the treatment landscape. 

Our vision is to improve clinical outcomes and overall quality of life for people navigating the complex intersection of somatic conditions and mental health. Our research aims to pave the way for more integrated and effective prevention and treatment interventions tailored to this population's specific needs.

To achieve our vision, we aim to expand the knowledge about the underlying causes, risk factors, rising prevalence, and long-term consequences of somatic conditions and mental disorders in young people. To accomplish this, we have assembled an interdisciplinary team with expertise in mental health, diabetes, and advanced data analysis.

We collaborate at both the national and international levels. Our research approach is built around using big data sources, clinical data, and cutting-edge statistical methods. We use genetically informative samples, such as twins and families, to better understand the genetic and environmental influences on somatic and mental conditions. Our research takes a holistic whole-life perspective and a bioecological approach to scrutinize the impact of factors during pregnancy and childhood on disease risk and its enduring consequences.

  • Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway
  • Reykjavik University, Iceland
  • Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
  • Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
  • Halmstad University, Sweden
  • Indiana University, United States
  • University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland

Agnieszka Butwicka

Researcher 1

agnieszka.butwicka@ahus.no

Academic Degree

M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Physician specializing in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Current Research Field

Comorbidity between somatic conditions and mental disorders in children and adolescents; Early environmental and risk factors for intellectual disability; Post-pandemic vulnerability and resilience - a bio-ecological strategy for the well-being of youth in Nordic schools and communities

 

Academic Profile

Andrea Kagge Wister

Psychologist

Andrea.Kagge.Wister@ahus.no

Academic Degree

Ph.D., Psychologist

Current Research Field

Autism

Einar Aasen Tryti

Specialist Psychologist

Einar.Aasen.Tryti@ahus.no

Academic Degree

Psychologist

Current Research Field

Autism

Håvard Bentsen

Chief Physician

Havard.Bentsen@ahus.no

Academic Degree

M.D., Ph.D., Specialist in Psychiatry, Specialist in Clinical Pharmacology

Current Research Field

Oxidative stress, fatty acids, psychopharmacology


Academic Profile

Xinyue Gu

Ph.D- Student

xinyue.gu@ki.se 

Academic Degree

Ms.
 
Current Research Field

Early environmental risk factors for intellectual disability, post-pandemic vulnerability and resilience among youth in the Nordic countries.

Shengxin Liu 

Postdoctoral Researcher

shengxin.liu@ki.se

Academic Degree

Ph.D.

Current Research Field

Depression, mental disorders, and diabetes

Academic Profile

Irzam Hardiansyah

Postdoctoral Researcher

irzam.hardiansyah@gmail.com

Academic Degree

Ph.D.

Current Research Field

Autism, post-pandemic vulnerability and resilience among youth in the Nordic countries


Academic Profile


Researchgate.net

Arkadiusz Michalak

M.D. Affiliated to Research

arkadiusz.michalak@umed.lodz.pl

Academic Degree

M.D.

Current Research Field

Mental health issues in youth with type 1 diabetes


Academic Profile

Jacek Burzyński 

M.D. Affiliated to Research

jacek.burzynski@stud.umed.lodz.pl

Academic Degree

M.D.

Current Research Field

Mental health issues in youth with type 1 diabetes

Academic Profile 

Researchgate.net

 

Agnieszka Butwicka

Researcher 1

agnieszka.butwicka@ahus.no

Academic Degree

M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Physician specializing in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Current Research Field

Comorbidity between somatic conditions and mental disorders in children and adolescents; Early environmental and risk factors for intellectual disability; Post-pandemic vulnerability and resilience - a bio-ecological strategy for the well-being of youth in Nordic schools and communities

Academic Profile

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SOMIND: Somatic, Mental, and Neurodevelopmental Conditions – Agnieszka Butwicka's research group (ki.se)

Last updated 9/17/2024