Dr Mirim Shin is a research fellow with the Youth Mental Health & Technology Team at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Australia. Her research focuses on exploring individual illness trajectories for three common subtypes of depressive disorders—psychosis, anxious depression, and bipolar spectrum—based on three pathophysiological mechanisms: neurodevelopmental, hyperarousal, and circadian rhythm. Mirim was awarded a Circadian Mental Health Network ECR award to support her presentation and networking at the International Society for Bipolar Disorder conference in Iceland, as well as launch a global survey on young people's awareness of circadian rhythms. You can read all about her experiences below.
Earlier in 2024, I was honoured to receive the ECR award from the Circadian Mental Health Network. This supported my attendance at the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) conference in Reykjavik, Iceland, in September 2024, and enabled me to initiate a global online survey on youth awareness of circadian rhythms.
The journey from Australia to Iceland was long, but every moment was worth it. Iceland's natural beauty, combined with the dynamic atmosphere of the ISBD conference, made the trip unforgettable. With ~600 registrants, the conference offered excellent networking opportunities with fellow ECRs and leading experts in the field.
At the conference, I presented three posters based on my recent research:
I shared our study examining how sleep patterns in people with depression were affected during the pandemic. Optimal sleep patterns decreased significantly, from 70% pre-pandemic to 49% during the pandemic. We identified mental health conditions, stressful life events, and genetic predisposition as factors driving these shifts.
I also presented findings on the longitudinal trajectories of metabolic and inflammatory markers in youth with emerging mood disorders. We found that insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation increased over time, and higher baseline insulin resistance was associated with circadian-, bipolar-related subtypes. It was exciting to see many researchers presenting work on metabolic and inflammatory pathways, including a notable metformin study led by Dr Calkin!
3. Global Online Survey on Youth and Circadian Rhythms
My third poster introduced a new online survey supported by the Circadian Mental Health Network. While circadian rhythms are crucial for mental and physical health, clinicians often lack sufficient knowledge about their importance, as highlighted in a Delphi study by my colleague Jacob Crouse. This inspired me to explore global youth awareness of circadian rhythms and how cultural and societal factors influence sleep/wake patterns and daily routines. The English version of the survey is now live, with additional language versions expected next year. Please stay tuned for the survey!
Beyond the presentations, I also took part in a speed networking event, human bingo, organised by the ISBD Early and Mid-Career Committee. This was a fantastic way to connect with others in a fun and informal setting. One of the conference highlights was a session on a groundbreaking GWAS that identified 298 loci associated with bipolar disorder, representing a significant leap forward compared to previous findings.
Finally, I rounded off the trip with some sightseeing with my colleagues. We visited magnificent waterfalls, and I was fortunate enough to catch the Northern Lights on my last evening. The journey back to Sydney, though took ~35 hours, was filled with reflection on an incredibly rewarding experience.
A heartfelt thank you to the Circadian Mental Health Network for their invaluable support, which made it possible for me to attend ISBD and launch this exciting global survey.
Blog by Mirim Shin
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