ISNPR Outstanding Publication Award Round 2/2024
The International Society of Nutritional Psychiatry Research Outstanding Publication award goal is to recognise high-quality publications related to Nutritional Psychiatry and led by a student (PhD, MD, Masters etc), early career, or mid-career researcher. The Award is for an outstanding publication, factors to be considered include whether the applicant is first, senior, or co-author, the quality of the journal that has accepted the manuscript for publication, and the strategic importance of the publication (e.g. is it an important international collaboration), as well as the potential impact of the research within the field of Nutritional Psychiatry.
This round is open from 1st July – 31st December 2024
Who can apply?
- This Award is open to anyone who are less than 10 years post the award of their PhD (career disruption will be taken into consideration when assessing this)
- You must be a current member of the International Society of Nutritional Psychiatry Research.
- Your publication/manuscript must have accepted for publication between July-December (inclusive) 2024.
When will I be notified of the outcome?
All applicants will be notified of the outcome via email within 6 weeks of the round closing.
What happens if I win?
Awardees will receive a certificate of award. Their award will be announced via ISNPR social media and website platforms.
How do I apply?
Please complete the online application form: https://redcap.link/ISNPRAwardsApplyNow
Prior awardees for the ISNPR Outstanding Publication Award
ISNPR member Halliru Zailani for winning the ISNPR Outstanding Publication award for round 1 2024, for their study ‘High-Dose Omega-3 Supplements Prevent the Recurrence of Bipolar Depression’ published in Psychiatry Research.
Halliru Zailani shares some details about their study:
Bipolar disorder is characterized by high recurrence rates, necessitating lifelong medication for relapse prevention. However, these medications often result in notable side effects, prompting exploration into alternative treatments. Led by Professor Kuan-Pin Su at the Mind-Body Interface Research Centre (MBI-Lab), China Medical University (CMU) Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, researchers investigated the preventive effects of high-dose omega-3 supplements, primarily comprising eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), on bipolar depression.
In a six-month study involving 31 carefully selected stable BD patients with normal biochemical parameters and no other health issues, a daily dose of 2.6 g of omega-3 was administered. The supplements significantly reduced the recurrence of bipolar depression and improved depression severity without serious side effects, suggesting its long-term safety. This finding potentially introduces new avenues in bipolar disorder management with nutrition as the mainstay. The findings underscore substantial implications for current treatments, known for toxicity risks and potential manic triggers.
Omega-3 fatty acids, notably EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are recognized for their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. By mitigating inflammation and promoting brain health, these supplements can potentially stabilize mood and prevent depressive episodes in bipolar disorder patients.
This research highlights the potential of high-dose omega-3 supplements as a preventive measure for bipolar depression, offering a safer and potentially more effective alternative to existing medications. Further exploration and validation within the scientific community are encouraged to refine and establish this promising treatment option.
Halliru Zailani, is a PhD Candidate at MBI-Lab specializing in nutritional psychiatry and has authored multiple publications in esteemed journals such as Psychiatry Research; Brain, Behavior, and Immunity; and Nutrients. His contributions have been recognized through several awards, including the 2024 Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) Clinical Study Database award, the 5-Minute Poster Blitz Award at the 2023 Mind-Body Interface International Symposium in Taiwan, the New Investigator Award at the 2023 International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL) Congress in Nantes, France, and the Whetstone Scholarship for PhD Students at CMU.