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CHILD GUIDANCE RESOURCE CENTERS SELECTED BY UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA AS SITE
FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENT SCHIZOPHRENIA STUDY
Havertown, PA– Child Guidance Resource Centers (CGRC) has teamed with the Schizophrenia
Research Center at the University of Pennsylvania to evaluate children and adolescents
(ages 10-25) with behavioral and familial risk for schizophrenia.
The participation at CGRC includes comprehensive assessment of young people and their
families and periodic follow-up. The screening appointments are directed by Dr.
Borgmann-Winter from the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania and Drs. Calkins and
Kohler from the University of Pennsylvania, who specialize in schizophrenia treatment
and research on early indicators of the illness. Dr. Jonathan Kersun, Medical Director
of CGRC, will be the on-site supervising psychiatrist for this study.
Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that affects about 1 out of every 100 adults in
America, which is more than 2 million people. People with schizophrenia encounter
a variety of difficulties in interacting with other people, having meaningful jobs,
and enjoying life.
Today the leading theory of why people develop schizophrenia is that it is a result
of a genetic predisposition in combination with environmental factors that may trigger
the disorder. Already researchers have identified several of the key genes that
when damaged seem to create a predisposition, or increased risk, for schizophrenia.
"The purpose of the study is to identify existing signs of schizophrenia. By
screening and following these children and adolescents we are better able to get
a true sense of the many factors which contribute to the disorder and how these manifest
in behavior. Such data will provide us with the information necessary to intervene
earlier and hopefully prevent the disease process," stated Dr. Andy Kind-Rubin,
Chief Clinical Officer of CGRC. "It is a wonderful opportunity and we are very
honored to be participating in this study."
Child Guidance Resource Centers is a community-based, behavioral healthcare organization
with headquarters in Havertown, Pennsylvania. With offices throughout the suburban
counties and the State of Delaware, CGRC provides therapeutic, supportive, and preventive
behavioral healthcare services addressing the needs of children and families with
mental health, developmental disabilities, or residential care needs.
Jill A. Schott, MS
Director, Marketing & Center Advancement
484-454-8744
www.cgrc.org
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