6th International Conference on Early Psychosis

Welcome to the scientific program for the 6th International Conference on Early Psychosis. Since we last met in Birmingham there have been many advances in research and practice which will be features of this conference.

This meeting in Melbourne has been organised using the staging model of illness as a guide. In clinical staging the aim is to understand and identify the progress of the illness process. From this, the least invasive treatment for a particular stage may be selected. In this way there is a very close relationship between research and understanding, and clinical practice. This relationship between research and clinical practice has always been a key feature of IEPA meetings. It is hoped that organisation around this model will further enhance this, and provide an experience for participants which both enhances knowledge and provides a context in which that knowledge may be applied.

Under the leadership of Professor Patrick McGorry, a scientific program is being developed by leading mental health experts from around the world to ensure the content is stimulating, groundbreaking and highly educational.

The Conference will commence on the evening of Sunday 19 October at The National Gallery of Victoria at 18.00. This evening will feature the International Early Psychosis Film Festival directly followed by the official Welcome Reception.

DAY 1
Day one of the conference focuses on the earliest stage of illness â vulnerability leading up to onset. Keynote speakers will cover a range of topics pertinent to this phase. These will include the psychobiology of onset and its relationship to stress, the environmental influences on risk and about neuro-protection in this early stage.

DAY 2
Day two of the conference will pick up where day one left off in terms of the onset of psychosis with keynote speakers covering a range of issues to do with ultra-high risk groups and treatment both in the pre-onset and early onset phases. Some of the latest findings on psychosocial and pharmacological treatments in early psychosis will be presented.

DAY 3
Day three will complete the journey through the early phases of illness and leave delegates primed to learn more if they journey on to the Australasian Schizophrenia Conference. Day three will again link research and clinical practice, covering the later phases of early intervention as well as critically reviewing the medication trials in first episode psychosis. There will also be consideration of treatment beyond the first episode.

Program Overview

	Monday 20 October
	The earliest stages: Vulnerability to Onset
7.30am â 8.30am	Registration Open
9.00am â 9.45am	Opening Ceremony
9.45am â 10.30am	Professor Jeffrey Lieberman
10.30am â 11.00am	Morning tea
11.00am â 12.30pm	Session
12.30pm â 1.45pm	Lunch
1.45pm â 2.30pm	Professor Anthony Grace
2.30pm â 3.15pm	Professor Jean-Paul Selten
3.15pm â 3.45pm	Afternoon Tea
4.00pm â 5.30pm	Session
5.30pm â 6.30pm	Abstracts & Posters
Evening	Conference Dinner

	Tuesday 21 October	Wednesday 22 October	Thursday 23 & Friday 24 October
	Treatment in the pre-onset and onset phases	First-episode and beyond: Clinical and research directions	Australasian Schizophrenia Conference (Lorne, Victoria)
7.30am â 8.30am	Registration Open	Registration Open
9.00am â 9.45am	A/Prof. Alison Yung	Professor John Kane
9.45am â 10.30am	Professor Rene Kahn	Professor Charles Schulz
10.30am â 11.00am	Morning Tea	Morning Tea
11.00am â 12.30pm	Session	Session
12.30pm â 2.00pm	Lunch	Lunch
2.00pm â 2.45pm	Professor Jean Addington	Professor Alexander Wunderink
2.45pm â 3.30pm	Afternoon Tea	Closing Session
3.15pm â 4.45pm	Session
5.pm â 6.30pm	Abstracts & Posters
Evening		Shuttle buses to ASC2008, Lorne

Please note the most up to date outline of the Scientific Program will be posted on this website as it is further developed.

IEPA AGM
In accordance with the IEPA Rules of Incorporation, an Annual General Meeting will be held for IEPA members over the Conference period. All members are invited to attend and you will need to present your membership card.

Richard Wyatt Award
To honour the contribution of the late Richard Wyatt to the field of Early Intervention in Psychosis an award will be presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the area of early psychosis.