International Collaborations

Worldwide partnerships with other research institutions

New ideas and points of view in research are integral to innovation. The Heinz C. Prechter Research Program (Prechter Program) values the diversity of perspectives that can be gained through international collaborations and has invited collaborators world-wide to join together to investigate areas of interest through the extensive Prechter datasets.

The overarching goals of the Prechter Program and its collaborators are to:

  • Focus and accelerate advancement of worldwide research in bipolar disorder
  • Create a space where research ideas can be evaluated and applied to longitudinal cohort research in large scale samples
  • Provide an ontological framework to organize current knowledge and create the way forward
  • Encourage multidisciplinary participation of early and senior investigators in long-lasting networks 
Wordmark represeting the GBC

Global Bipolar Cohort (GBC)

The GBC is a collaboration where researchers from 13 institutions in 9 countries have participated monthly in discussions since the kick-off meeting in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in October 2019. These monthly discussions have led to several manuscripts and research projects that propose a global perspective to understanding bipolar disorder. The GBC focuses on outcomes, genetics, biological mechanisms, and clinical care to understand what drives bipolar disorder. In addition, the GBC’s network of clinician-scientists understands the need for large, longitudinal, well-characterized cohorts with diverse ethnicities so results can be understood in the context of the person. The further development of this network of collaborators by integrating global datasets is key to GBC research. 

BRISCr wordmark

Bipolar Research in Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Collaborative (BRSCr)

BRSCr is a collaboration between the Prechter Program and international investigators examining the connection between sleep difficulties and bipolar disorder mood variations. Identifying and studying the connection between sleep and moods is essential for developing treatments that improve lives. BRSCr investigates the connection between sleep and bipolar disorder via a multifactorial approach by sharing perspectives and using the Prechter Program’s longitudinal dataset gleaned from the Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder.

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Trauma Research In Bipolar disorder (TRIBe)

TRIBe is a group of international researchers exploring the impact of exposure to trauma in childhood or adulthood. The focus is on treatment outcomes, cognition, personality, and other medical and co-existing mental health conditions. TRIBe researchers accomplish this by using large longitudinal datasets that provide critical information highlighting the relationship between bipolar disorder and trauma.

Future Collaborations

The Prechter Program values collaboration and is always looking for ways to connect with fellow researchers worldwide. New partnerships are constantly evolving and taking shape. Once a collaboration project is named and defined, it will be listed here.

Learn more

If you are interested in joining these collaboratives or would like to learn more, please email Claudia Diaz-Byrd, global program manager, at [email protected]