Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Despite variations in prevalence rates and according to the diagnostic criteria used, it has been estimated that at least 20% of children and adolescents present some type of mental disorder and at least a half of them present a significant impairment in their family, social and school functioning.  Although some disorders typically start at childhood (neurodevelopmental disorders, anxiety...), recent studies report that the average age of onset of all psychiatric disorders is 14.5 years. In addition, studies conducted so far have shown that some psychiatric disorders when initiated in childhood and adolescence tend to be more severe, with a greater impact on the daily functioning of children and adolescents who suffer from these conditions.

The Childhood and Adolescent Mental Disorders Research Program has helped to increase knowledge about how brain development affects children's behavior and how biological and environmental factors may interact in the development of different disorders. Progressively, this knowledge has improved our understanding of the etiology of different disorders and both pharmacological and psychological treatments and the combination of both. However, there is still a long way to go to improve prevention, treatment and prognosis.

Lines of research:

• Risk factors, genetics, clinical features, neuroimaging, immunology, treatment and evolution of psychotic and affective disorders in children and adolescents.
• Risk factors, genetics, clinical features, neuroimaging, treatment and evolution of eating disorders.
• Genetic, neuroimaging and immunological characteristics in children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorders and tic disorders in children and adolescents.
• Genetic, neuroimaging, treatment and evolution of autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Risk and protective factors for the development of mental disorders in children and adolescents, with special attention to populations with high biological or environmental vulnerability (exposure to abuse, low birth weight, children of patients, among others).
• Study of the biological and psychological impact of motherhood and fatherhood and its determinants.
• Safety and efficacy of psychotropic drugs and other treatments in children and adolescents.

Groups