Maelstrom Research

Signature Biobank - Banks of biological, psychosocial and clinical data on people suffering from mental health problems

The objectives of the study are: * To advance mental health research. * To assess the physical and mental health of volunteers admitted to the Montreal Mental Health University Institute. * To enable clinicians to tailor treatment based on meaningful psychosocial and medical indicators. It aims to collect, on the one hand, medical and psychosocial data and, on the other hand, human biological material from users consenting to participate in the project and from the brief intervention programs (emergency), the psychotic disorders program and the mood disorders program of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute.

Overview

Acronym

SIGNATURE

Website

SIGNATURE

Investigators

Dr. Stéphane Guay

Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (CR-IUSMM)

Dr. Robert-Paul Juster

Universite de Montreal

Contacts

Dr. Cécile Le Page

Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (CR-IUSMM)

General Design

Study design

Cohort

Start - End Year

2012 - 2021

General Information on Follow Up (profile, frequency)

**Mental Health Patients** Participants are followed-up at 4 different points in their clinical journey, ie. when entering the emergency room, during treatment in an inpatient unit and during recovery in an outpatient clinic. **Controls** After first recruitment, a sub-group of participants are followed up for a second time within a month and at between 2016 and 2021.

Recruitment Target

Individuals

Number of Participants

2,322

Number of Participants with Biological Samples

2,135

Supplementary information about number of participants

* Mental health patients: 2173 participants * Mental health patients with biosamples: 1986 participants * Controls: 149 partipants * Controls with biosamples: 149 participants

Supplementary Information

Study designs: Cohort and case-control

Access

Availability of data and biosamples

Possible Access to Data
Possible Access to Biosamples
Other

Additional Information

Data can be accessed upon request to the biobank coordinator.

Availability of access information

On the study website : https://criusmm.ciusss-estmtl.gouv.qc.ca/fr/pro...
By contacting the study representative: Biobank Coordinator Cecile Le Page (Institution CR-IUSMM)

Sector of research

	Possible Access to Data	Possible Access to Biosamples
Investigators from the public sector
Investigators from the private sector
Investigators from not-for-profit organization

Supplementary information about sector of research

Researchers from the private sector needs to be a collaborator of one of the Signature consortium members.

Transfer

	Possible Access to Data	Possible Access to Biosamples
Can leave the study facility
Can leave the country

Cost

Possible Access to Data	Fixed Cost
Possible Access to Biosamples	Fixed Cost

Supplementary information about access fees

Biological sample prices range from $20 to $40 per sample.

Cost reduction for co-analyses

Possible Access to Data
Possible Access to Biosamples

Supplementary information about cost reduction for co-analyses

Members of the Alliance santé mentale au Québec benefit from a reduction.

To access the data, a duly completed request form, REB approval, a study protocol, and approval from the Signature Access Committee are required.

Yes

Not applicable

Don't know

Marker Papers

S.J. Lupien, M. Sasseville, N. Francois, et al. Lesage and Signature Consortium. Stress 20, 2-18 (2017)

PUBMED 28124571

E. Cipriani, P. Kerr, C. Le Page, et al. Biobanque Signature : origines et perspectives d’un projet longitudinal évaluant les signatures biologiques, psychologiques et sociales des patients visitant les urgences de l’Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal. Santé mentale au Québec Vol. 49, n 2, Fall 2024, p. 173–201

P. Kerr, C. Le Page, C.-É.Giguère, S. Lupien, et al. The Signature Biobank: A longitudinal biopsychosocial repository of psychiatric emergency patients. Psychiatry Research. Vol. 332, Feb 2024, 115718

Supplementary Information

**Papers of Interest** L. Dion-Albert, A. Cadoret, E. Doney, et al. Vascular and blood-brain barrier-related changes underlie stress responses and resilience in female mice and depression in human tissue. Nat. Com. 13, 64 (2022)

V. Laliberté, C.-É. Giguère, S. Potvin, A. Lesage. Berkson's bias in biobank sampling in a specialized mental health care setting: a comparative cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 10(7):35088 July 2020

S. Potvin, L. Mahrouche, R. Assaf, et al. Furtos, R.Godbout on behalf of the Signature Consortium. Peripheral Endogenous Cannabinoid Levels Are Increased in Schizophrenia Patients Evaluated in a Psychiatric Emergency Setting. Front. Psychiatry, 30 June 2020

T. Lecomte, C.-É. Giguère, B. Cloutier, S. et al.Comorbidity Profiles of Psychotic Patients in Emergency Psychiatry. Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 2020 Jan Vol.16 (issue2) 260:270

M.-F. Marin, S. Geoffrion, C.-É. Giguère, et al.The Moderating Role of Age in the Relationship Between Early Life Adversity and Hair Cortisol Concentrations in Adults Admitted to a Psychiatric Emergency Service. Biological Psychiatry, 2019 May 85(10): S146-S147

Timeline

Sociodemographic information including gender and sex identity, spiritual beliefs, social functioning, childhood experiences, and family background was collected. Information about family pedigree, chronic health problems and history of hospitalization was collected. Information concerning behaviour including clinical signs (ie. psychosis, depression, anxiety, impulsiveness, aggression, suicide), addiction (ie. tobacco, alcohol, drugs), and sleep were assessed. Psychotic symptoms were assessed using the PSQ and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS). Anthropometric and vital signs were measured. Blood, saliva and hair samples were collected. Medical data obtained from the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) included information on psychiatric diagnoses and prescribed medications.

Start Date

2012 (November)

End Date

2020 (March)

Data sources

Questionnaires
Physical measures
Biosamples
Administrative databases

Data sources - Biosamples

Blood
Saliva
Hair

Data sources - Administrative databases

Health databases

Sociodemographic information including gender and sex identity, spiritual beliefs, social functioning, childhood experiences, and family background was also collected. Information about family pedigree, chronic health problems and history of hospitalization was collected. Information concerning behaviour including clinical signs (ie.sychosis, depression, anxiety, impulsiveness, aggression, suicide), addiction (ie. tobacco, alcohol, drugs), and sleep were assessed. Psychotic symptoms were assessed using the PSQ and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS). Anthropometric and vital signs were measured. Blood, saliva and hair samples were collected. Medical data obtained from the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) included information on psychiatric diagnoses and prescribed medications.

Start Date

2013 (January)

End Date

2020 (March)

Data sources

Questionnaires
Cognitive measures
Physical measures
Biosamples
Administrative databases

Data sources - Biosamples

Blood
Saliva
Hair

Data sources - Administrative databases

Health databases

Start Date

2013 (January)

End Date

2020 (October)

Data sources

Questionnaires
Cognitive measures
Physical measures
Biosamples
Administrative databases

Data sources - Biosamples

Blood
Saliva
Hair

Data sources - Administrative databases

Health databases

Start Date

2014 (February)

End Date

2021 (March)

Data sources

Questionnaires
Cognitive measures
Physical measures
Biosamples
Administrative databases

Data sources - Biosamples

Blood
Saliva
Hair

Data sources - Administrative databases

Health databases

Sociodemographic information including gender and sex identity, spiritual beliefs, social functioning, childhood experiences, and family background was also collected. Information about family pedigree, chronic health problems and history of hospitalization was also collected. Information concerning behaviour including clinical signs (ie.sychosis, depression, anxiety, impulsiveness, aggression, suicide), addiction (ie. tobacco, alcohol, drugs), and sleep were assessed. Psychotic symptoms were assessed using the PSQ and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS). Anthropometric and vital signs were measured. Blood, saliva and hair samples were collected. Medical data obtained from the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) included information on psychiatric diagnoses and prescribed medications.

Start Date

2016 (September)

End Date

2020 (March)

Data sources

Questionnaires
Cognitive measures
Physical measures
Biosamples
Administrative databases

Data sources - Biosamples

Blood
Saliva
Hair

Data sources - Administrative databases

Health databases

Sociodemographic information including gender and sex identity, spiritual beliefs, social functioning, childhood experiences, and family background was also collected. Information about family pedigree, chronic health problems and history of hospitalization was also collected. Information concerning behaviour including clinical signs (ie.sychosis, depression, anxiety, impulsiveness, aggression, suicide), addiction (ie. tobacco, alcohol, drugs), and sleep were assessed. Psychotic symptoms were assessed using the PSQ and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS). Anthropometric and vital signs were measured. Blood, saliva and hair samples were collected. Medical data obtained from the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) included information on psychiatric diagnoses and prescribed medications.

Start Date

2016 (September)

End Date

2020 (March)

Data sources

Questionnaires
Cognitive measures
Physical measures
Biosamples
Administrative databases

Data sources - Biosamples

Blood
Saliva
Hair

Data sources - Administrative databases

Health databases

Sociodemographic information including gender and sex identity, spiritual beliefs, social functioning, childhood experiences, and family background was also collected. Information about family pedigree, chronic health problems and history of hospitalization was also collected. Information concerning behaviour including clinical signs (ie.sychosis, depression, anxiety, impulsiveness, aggression, suicide), addiction (ie. tobacco, alcohol, drugs), and sleep were assessed. Psychotic symptoms were assessed using the PSQ and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS). Anthropometric and vital signs were measured. Blood, saliva and hair samples were collected. Medical data obtained from the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) included information on psychiatric diagnoses and prescribed medications.

Start Date

2016 (February)

End Date

2021 (March)

Data sources

Questionnaires
Cognitive measures
Physical measures
Biosamples
Administrative databases

Data sources - Biosamples

Blood
Saliva
Hair

Data sources - Administrative databases

Health databases

SIGNATURE - Mental Health Patients

The population is composed of patients admitted to the emergency room of the Hôpital Louis Lafontaine (Montreal, Canada).

Selection Criteria

Minimum age

Maximum age

Countries

Canada

Canadian Provinces

Quebec

Territory

Montreal

Health Status

Participants are patients who had a mental crisis.

Other Criteria

Participants admitted to one of two programs targeted by the project: the anxiety and mood disorder (AMD) program or the first psychotic episode (FPE) program are elligibale for the second (T2), third (T3) and fourth (T4) follow up. Pregnant women are excluded.

Sources of Recruitment

Specific Population

Clinic patients

Supplementary Information

Patients were recruited from the psychiatric emergency of the Hôpital Louis Lafontaine emergency room.

Sample Size

Number of Participants: 2,173
Number of Participants with Biological Samples: 1,986
Supplementary information about number of participants: **Mental Health Patients T1** * 2,173 participants * 1,986 biological samples **Mental Health Patients T2** * 885 participants * 885 biological samples **Mental Health Patients T3** * 793 participants * 779 biological samples **Mental Health Patients T4** * 473 participants * 473 biological samples

Data Collection Events

#	Name	Data sources	Data sources - Biosamples	Start	End
0	SIGNATURE - Mental Health Patients - T1	Questionnaires Physical measures Biosamples Administrative databases	Blood Saliva Hair	2012 (November)	2020 (March)
1	SIGNATURE - Mental Health Patients - T2	Questionnaires Cognitive measures Physical measures Biosamples Administrative databases	Blood Saliva Hair	2013 (January)	2020 (March)
2	SIGNATURE - Mental Health Patients - T3	Questionnaires Cognitive measures Physical measures Biosamples Administrative databases	Blood Saliva Hair	2013 (January)	2020 (October)
3	SIGNATURE - Mental Health Patients - T4	Questionnaires Cognitive measures Physical measures Biosamples Administrative databases	Blood Saliva Hair	2014 (February)	2021 (March)

SIGNATURE - Controls

The population is composed of Canadian age-matched control participants recruited in the Montreal East area without any known mental disorder.

Selection Criteria

Minimum age

Maximum age

Countries

Canada

Canadian Provinces

Quebec

Territory

East part of the Montreal Island

Other Criteria

The control group was locally recruited to match age, sex and economic status of the patient cohort. Pregnant women are excluded.

Sources of Recruitment

General Population

Volunteer enrolment

Supplementary Information

Participants are voluntary patients recruited within the communities of the eastern part of the Montreal Island.

Sample Size

Number of Participants: 149
Number of Participants with Biological Samples: 149
Supplementary information about number of participants: A sub-group of 30 had a second follow-up T2 (within 1 month after first recruitment).

Data Collection Events

#	Name	Data sources	Data sources - Biosamples	Start	End
0	SIGNATURE - Controls - T1	Questionnaires Cognitive measures Physical measures Biosamples Administrative databases	Blood Saliva Hair	2016 (September)	2020 (March)
1	SIGNATURE - Controls - T2	Questionnaires Cognitive measures Physical measures Biosamples Administrative databases	Blood Saliva Hair	2016 (September)	2020 (March)
2	SIGNATURE - Controls - T4	Questionnaires Cognitive measures Physical measures Biosamples Administrative databases	Blood Saliva Hair	2016 (February)	2021 (March)

Participating Studies

Acronym	Name	Study design	Countries

Harmonization Initiatives Included

Acronym	Name

Datasets

Search Variables

Name	Data Collection Events	Variables

Variables Content Summary

Areas of Information Collected per per Population and Data Collection Event

Networks

Acronym	Name	Harmonization Initiatives	Individual Studies

Last Update: 2025-06-09T11:23:16.449

Signature Biobank - Banks of biological, psychosocial and clinical data on people suffering from mental health problems

Overview

General Design

Access

Marker Papers

Supplementary Information

Documents

Timeline

Populations

Selection Criteria

Sources of Recruitment

Sample Size

Documents

Data Collection Events

Selection Criteria

Sources of Recruitment

Sample Size

Documents

Data Collection Events

Participating Studies

Harmonization Initiatives Included

Datasets

Areas of Information Collected

Variables Content Summary

Areas of Information Collected

Areas of Information Collected per per Population and Data Collection Event

Networks

Signature Biobank - Banks of biological, psychosocial and clinical data on people suffering from mental health problems

Overview

Stéphane Guay

Robert-Paul Juster

Cécile Le Page

General Design

Access

Representative

Marker Papers

Supplementary Information

Documents

Timeline

Populations

SIGNATURE - Mental Health Patients - T1

SIGNATURE - Mental Health Patients - T2

SIGNATURE - Mental Health Patients - T3

SIGNATURE - Mental Health Patients - T4

SIGNATURE - Controls - T1

SIGNATURE - Controls - T2

SIGNATURE - Controls - T4

Selection Criteria

Sources of Recruitment

Sample Size

Documents

Data Collection Events

Selection Criteria

Sources of Recruitment

Sample Size

Documents

Data Collection Events

Participating Studies

Harmonization Initiatives Included

Datasets

Areas of Information Collected

Variables Content Summary

Areas of Information Collected

Areas of Information Collected per per Population and Data Collection Event

Networks