Staff Categories

Background

I am currently a NHMRC L3 Fellow and the Alfred Deakin Chair of Psychiatry at Deakin University and Barwon Health, where I head the Institute for Innovation in Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT). I have published over 1400 papers and am listed by Thompson Reuters ISI as highly cited (2015-2022). I hold grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Futures Fund, Stanley Medical Research Institute, Centre of Research Excellence, Australian Research Council, Patient-Centred Outcomes Research Institute and Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.

• Pubmed publications
• Google Scholar
• Expertscape: Psychiatry, Depression, Bipolar+disorder
• Researchgate
• Scopus
• Orcid

Research Focus

My major interests are in the discovery and implementation of novel therapies. 

Awards & Achievements

• Brain & Behaviour (NARSAD) 
• Colvin Award for Mood Disorders in 2015
• Victoria Prize for Life Sciences in 2019
• International Society for Bipolar Disorders Bob Post award for mentorship in 2020
• RANZCP Senior Research Award in 2021

Feature Publications

• Grande I, Berk M, Birmaher B, Vieta E. Bipolar disorder. Lancet. 2016; 9;387(10027):1561-72. An invited paper by the Lancet.
• Malhi, GS., and Berk M. "Is the safety of lithium no longer in the balance?." The Lancet 379.9817 2012; 690-692. Another invited paper by the Lancet.
• Berk M, Copolov DL, Dean O, Lu K, Jeavons S, et al. N-acetyl cysteine for depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder—a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Biological psychiatry 2008 64 (6), 468-475. This is the first clinical trial demonstrating the efficacy of N-Acetyl Cysteine in the treatment of bipolar depression. This finding has been independently replicated and features in current treatment guidelines.
• Berk M, Copolov D, Dean OM, Lu K, Jeavons S et al. N-acetyl cysteine as a glutathione precursor for schizophrenia—a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Biological psychiatry 2008 64 (5), 361-368. This is the first clinical trial suggesting the efficacy of N-Acetyl Cysteine in the treatment of schizophrenia. This finding has been independently replicated and validated by meta-analysis.
• M Berk, OM Dean, SM Cotton, S Jeavons, M Tanious, K Kohlmann, K Hewitt, K Moss, C Allwang, I Schapkaitz, J Robbins, H Cobb, F Ng, S Dodd, AI Bush, GS Malhi. The efficacy of adjunctive N-acetylcysteine in major depressive disorder: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The Journal of clinical psychiatry 75 (6), 628-636. This is the first clinical trial suggesting the efficacy of N-Acetyl Cysteine in the treatment of depression. This finding has been independently replicated and validated by meta-analysis.

How you can help

Participate in a Clinical Trial

To find out about Clinical Trials currently underway at Barwon Health, click here. To learn more about the Adrian Costa Clinical Trials Centre, click here.

Donate

Research requires ongoing investment and there are several ways to support our work. You can make a donation today and contribute to an item on our research group’s wish list, consider a bequest in your will, or establish a lasting legacy fund in your name. No matter what size, your philanthropic support will deliver an immediate impact to this important work. To donate now or for more information, please contact the Barwon Health Foundation.