Ofer Agid, MD
Associate Professor
ofer.agid@camh.ca
Dr. Ofer Agid is staff psychiatrist and a clinician scientist in the Schizophrenia Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. Dr. Agid is the Medical Head, Ambulatory Services and the Lead Psychiatrist, Partial Hospital Program at the Schizophrenia Program. He is also Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto and Associate Member, Institute of Medical Science (IMS), University of Toronto.
Areas of Research
Dr. Agid’s research focus is psychopharmacology in schizophrenia, specifically early response to antipsychotic medications, early predictors of response and treatment resistant schizophrenia. His work has uncovered a new “early onset of action” hypothesis of antipsychotics, which has impacted current practice guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia.
As the medical leader in the First-Episode Schizophrenia program, Dr. Agid initiated an algorithm-based treatment approach for first-episode schizophrenia while collecting extensive clinical data regarding treatment response. This algorithm was implemented in order to optimize antipsychotic treatment during the earliest stages of the illness, a critical time period in terms of longer-term outcomes. This systematic and standardized approach has resulted in a large and comprehensive database; the published data to date have provided clear, empiric evidence that clinicians can use in approaching the pharmacological management of first-episode schizophrenia. It has also challenged current practice patterns and proven valuable in examining trajectories of response.
In addition, Dr. Agid is involved in investigating patterns of non-adherence and placebo response, treatment resistant schizophrenia, psychopharmacological mechanism of action of antipsychotics using brain imaging techniques and examining value systems and happiness in schizophrenia with an emphasis on the relationship to, and influence on, motivation and functional outcomes.
Dr. Agid is a recipient of numerous grants. He presented his research at major meetings and conferences and has published in major psychiatry journals.