The European Psychiatric Association Research Prize for Tuomas Majuri
The 27-year-old Tuomas Majuri is receiving the award for his research article in which he investigated the long-term prognosis of individuals who experienced psychosis at a young age and how the onset age of the illness affects the prognosis. Schizophrenia and other psychoses are serious mental disorders, and there has been limited research on the long-term prognosis of these conditions.
Each year, the European Psychiatric Association (EPA) recognizes the authors of the best scientific publications in psychiatry in five different categories. Majuri's article, titled "Effect of onset age on the long-term outcome of early onset psychoses and other mental disorders: a register-based Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 study," was selected as the best research publication in the category of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 2023. The article was published in the esteemed European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry journal.
The awarded research is based on the Northern Finland Birth Cohorts of 1966 and 1986, where participants have been followed from pregnancy onwards. The study revealed that individuals who experienced psychosis between the ages of 18 and 22 had a worse long-term prognosis compared to those who developed the illness at a younger age. The manuscript of the article was part of Majuri's recently published doctoral thesis, where he examined the long-term vocational, socioeconomic, and clinical prognosis of individuals with psychosis.
"These research findings are truly interesting and novel. Previously, there was a perception that the younger the age of onset of psychosis, the poorer the prognosis. Tuomas's research sheds light on the significance of the age of onset of psychosis from an entirely new perspective, as he has analyzed the onset age in finer detail. The results emphasize that in the healthcare system and rehabilitation, special attention should be given to individuals who develop psychosis in early adulthood," says Dr. Erika Jääskeläinen, the supervisor of Majuri's doctoral thesis and one of the authors of the awarded article at the University of Oulu.
This achievement is significant in the field of psychiatry, as only three Finnish researchers have received this award in the past. It is the first time the award has been given to a researcher from the University of Oulu.
"Receiving such an honor at a young age and early stage of my research career is a great privilege. The award underscores the importance of research conducted in Oulu and motivates continued efforts in psychiatric research. Thanks to all those who have supported my research and contributed to making this possible," says Majuri.
In addition to his research work, Majuri, who works as a ward physician at the Oulu University Hospital Psychiatry Clinic, will receive a €2000 prize at the European Psychiatric Association meeting in Budapest in April.
Awarded Research Publication: Majuri, T., Haapea, M., Nordström, T. et al. Effect of onset age on the long-term outcome of early-onset psychoses and other mental disorders: a register-based Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 study. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02279-5
Winners of the EPA 2024 Research Prize
List of previously awarded individuals