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On April 28th the 16th Annual Schizophrenia Conference was presented by the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and the New York State Psychiatric Institute at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in association with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. The conference was designed for mental health professionals involved in the treatment and management of schizophrenia and for families and consumers interested in increasing their knowledge of schizophrenia.

Morning plenary presentations covered a range of topics. Jack Gorman, MD discussed the latest understandings of the adverse effects of antipsychotic medications. David Silbersweig, MD discussed neuroimaging of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia, which he described, "like photographing a ghost." Ezra S. Susser, MD discussed the evidence for the fetal origins of schizophrenia, whether exposing the fetus to a viral infection or the rubella virus related to the risk of adult schizophrenia. Finally, Kevin Martone, LSW discussed housing for the mentally ill with a focus on his own Advance Housing, Inc., which houses the mentally ill in Bergen County, New Jersey.

In the afternoon were the workshops. In Paul J. Rosenfield, MD's workshop he discussed medications in terms that families and consumers could understand. Roberto Gil, MD's workshop discussed medications for psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. Ellen P. Lukens, MSW, PhD and Hella Thorning, MS, CSW held a workshop to help family members build on personal and family strengths to enhance coping in the face of chronic illness and stress. Martin S. Willick, MD had a workshop about the role of psychotherapy in the treatment plans for schizophrenics where he discussed what kind of individual psychotherapy he believed was most effective. Finally, Kevin Marton, LSW's workshop dealt with housing.

This year's Schizophrenia Conference brought a wealth of insightful information to all in attendance and we look forward to next year's conference.