Fellowship awarded to better understand the effect of antipsychotic medication

Dr Yu Fu, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Liverpool's Institute of Population Health, has been awarded £1.1 million by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) for a five-year Advanced Fellowship. The funding will support her research into the increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients taking antipsychotic medication (APM).

While antipsychotic medication is essential for managing mental illnesses, it can raise the likelihood of developing CVD. Individuals on antipsychotics are two to four times more likely to die from heart-related issues compared to those not on such medications.

Senior Lecturer, Dr Yu Fu, Department of Primary Care & Mental Health, University of Liverpool said: “I’m delighted to have been awarded this Fellowship to explore and address a critical issue impacting many people.

“Antipsychotic prescriptions are rising every year, yet current healthcare systems do not adequately assess individual CVD risks linked to specific medications. This often results in patients receiving fragmented physical and mental health care, contributing to poor outcomes and early mortality.”

Dr Fu’s work will aim to develop recommendations and prediction tools to enhance care pathways and reduce CVD risks for people taking antipsychotics, in collaboration with Professor Iain Buchan and Professor Dan Joyce from University of Liverpool, Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham from Keele University and Professor Matthew Hotopf from King’s College London.

This project forms part of Liverpool Mental Health Research Centre (M-RIC)’s ongoing work. Based within the Civic Health Innovation Labs (CHIL), M-RIC is improving mental healthcare for all.