Sunnybrook researcher receives international award for outstanding achievement in mood disorders
Dr. Benjamin Goldstein, Director of the Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder at Sunnybrook, is the 2018 recipient of the Colvin Award for Outstanding Achievement in Mood Disorders by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. The $50,000 award will support continued research in the area of youth bipolar disorder and the heart bipolar link.
“It is an honour to receive the Colvin award as it is the leading international research award in the field of mood disorders,” says Dr. Goldstein. “My team believes that bipolar disorder is, in part, a microvascular disease with implications not just for the brain, but throughout the body. We believe our approach is truly changing the way the world thinks about bipolar disorder, in a way that is helpful and meaningful to patients and families.”
Over the past decade, Dr. Goldstein has dedicated himself to the vascular-bipolar theme and to building a leading-edge clinic and research program focused specifically on youth bipolar disorder. He says awards supporting the team’s research also have an impact on young patients.
“For the teens who have participated in and contributed to our research, this recognition tells them that they have made a difference, not just locally or in Canada, but worldwide. They have entrusted us with an important responsibility, and we take that responsibility very seriously.”
Dr. Goldstein’s team will continue their research with a focus on microvessels across multiple parts of the body. In the future, the hope is to show that improving vascular health in bipolar disorder has short-term and long-term benefits for both physical health and mental health.
“This research means less shame for teens with bipolar disorder, by showing that this is truly a valid physical condition that should be seen the same way as other major medical conditions,” explains Dr. Goldstein. “With continued effort, our research will yield insights regarding the underlying causes of bipolar disorder, and will guide us toward novel and innovative prevention and treatment strategies.”
