Background to CADENCE

The Wellcome Trust has funded a number of 'Masterclasses in Clinical Neuroscience'. The aim of these Masterclasses is to bring together basic researchers and clinicians to tackle key clinical problems and to promote translational research. This initiative arose from a need highlighted by the Trust's Neuroscience and Mental Health Strategy Committee.

In February 2007, funding was awarded to Dr Hamish McAllister-Williams together with Professor Nicol Ferrier and Drs Sasha Gartside and Richard McQuade from the Institute of Neuroscience at Newcastle University to organise such a Masterclass relating to the cognitive dysfunction in affective disorders and the roles of monoamines and corticosteroids. This was run in partnership with the Institute of Neuroscience and the British Association for Psychopharmacology.

The goal of the Masterclass was to be the catalyst in the creation of a Special Interest Group (CADENCE) with the aim of promoting interest and collaborative research into the cognitive dysfunction in affective disorders. A central component of the Masterclass was a two day residential meeting held in March 2008 (2008 Masterclass).