Information on Data/Sample Availability for Researchers

To see a description of all data collected by the Bank view the complete Data Metafile

Clinical and Neuropsychological Data Available

The following clinical and neuropsychological assessment data is available for access by request:

• Socio-demographic data including 1) demographic description, 2) information about pregnancy, birth and parental health, 3) family history of general and mental health, 4) developmental history, including self reported instances of childhood adversity, 5) respondent's general and mental health, 6) respondent's current social environment and functioning.
• Current, past year and lifetime ratings from the Diagnostic Interview for Psychosis (DIP: Jablensky et al, 2000; Castle et al, 2005) for treated experiences of depression, mania and psychosis
• Neurological soft signs ratings based on the Neurological Evaluation Scale
• Rating of general functioning based on the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF - American Psychiatric Association, 2000)
• Premorbid IQ score derived from the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR - Wechsler, 2001)
• Current IQ score derived from the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI - Wechsler, 1999)
• Neuropsychological assessment total score based on the Repeatable Battery for Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS - Randolph et al, 1998)
• Scores for working memory (Letter Number Sequencing - Wechsler, 1997) and executive functioning (Controlled Oral Word Association Test - Spreen & Benton, 1969)
• Drug, alcohol and tobacco use self report history from the DIP
• Self report personality disorder ratings from the International Personality Disorder Evaluation screening questionnaire (ICD-10 Module)
• Self reported psychosis proneness as assessed by the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (Raine et al., 1991)

Genetic Samples Available

All genetic samples are provided from the Bank's Central Repository located in Newcastle as follows:

• DNA samples are stored at a concentration of 100ng/ul. Samples issued to approved researchers will contain 1 microgram of DNA per sample, with a minimum volume of 10ul aliquotted. Researchers who wish to complete a study requiring more than 1ug of DNA will be required to write a justification for the extra DNA detailing the techniques to be used providing evidence that more than 1 ug is necessary. This will then be considered by the Access Committee to determine if such a request can be accommodated and what costs may be associated with supplying the extra DNA. Samples will be labelled with the sample number, date aliquot and concentration
• DNA samples will be packaged and transported in an approved International Air Transport Association (IATA) transport shipper. Researchers will nominate their courier of preference. Samples will be sent to researchers from Monday to Thursday only to ensure samples arrive when receiving staff are available
• Bank staff will liaise with researchers prior to dispatch of the samples of the expected time and day the samples will be sent. This information may be provided by email or via phone
• Samples Issued List will be sent with the samples and will provide the researcher with sample information such as sample ID numbers, 260nm OD readings and 260/280nm ratio OD readings
• A Confirmation of Sample Receipt Form will be emailed to researchers to complete as confirmation all samples were received and a provision to record any problems with the despatching or transport
• A Return of Sample form will be emailed to researchers for use if unused samples are returned to the Bank upon completion of the research project

MRI Scans Available

The following MRI data from consenting volunteers is available for access by request:

Two MRI scans will be carried out with a 1.5T Siemens Avanto scanner (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany).

• Firstly, high-resolution anatomical T1-weighted images will be acquired using an optimised magnetisation-prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo (MP-RAGE) sequence. The imaging parameters are 176 sagittal slices of 1mm thickness without gap, Field of View 250x250mm2, repetition time/echo time 1980/4.3ms using a data matrix of 256x256, resulting in a voxel size of 0.98x0.98x1.0 mm3.
• Secondly, a Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) scan will be performed using an optimised version of the Siemens diffusion tensor sequence. The imaging parameters are 65 axial slices of 2.4mm thickness without gap, Field of View 250x250mm2, repetition time/echo time 8400/88ms, acquisition matrix 104x104 and 65 images acquired at each location consisting of 1 low-diffusion-weighted (b=0) and 64 high diffusion-weighted images (b=1000s/mm2).

Volunteer Recruitment

For researchers seeking to recruit volunteers, the Bank will contact participants who have indicated they are willing to consider further research and inform them of the details of the proposed project on behalf of the investigator. Contact details for volunteers who agree to participate in a particular project will then be provided to the investigators.

 

Key Role in Global Genetics Study

The Australian Schizophrenia Research Bank has played a key role in a global study that investigated genetic variants associated with schizophrenia. The study replicated findings from previous genetic research and made new discoveries.