Associate Professor Yoram Barak, Our People, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, New Zealand

Associate Professor Yoram Barak’s research interests include multiple sclerosis, cancer, a wide range of psychiatric conditions (such as depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive–compulsive disorder), old-age psychiatry, and suicide.

He is also interested in Alzheimer's Disease and has published a popular book called "Preventing Alzheimer's: A Personal Responsibility".

Find out more about Associate Professor Barak's research here.

^ Top of page

Publications

Taube, C., Mentzel, C., Glue, P., & Barak, Y. (2023). Aging of persons with schizophrenia: Analysis of a national dataset. International Psychogeriatrics. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1017/S1041610223000145

Mentzel, C., Taube, C., Glue, P., & Barak, Y. (2023). Older adults with schizophrenia and dementia: Analysis of a national dataset [Brief report]. Australasian Journal on Ageing. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/ajag.13187

Barak, Y. (2023). Nutrition and mental health in the aging population. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1104762. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1104762

Mentzel, C., Glue, P., Greco, P., & Barak, Y. (2023). Analysing realistic effects of modifiable risk factors for dementia in a large national dataset. Archives of Gerontology & Geriatrics, 105, 104852. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2022.104852

Barak, Y. (2022). Stress, distress, tensity, neuroticism, and risk of dementia [Invited]. JAMA Network Open, 5(12), e2247124. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.47124

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y. (2022). A Sisyphean task: Assessing suicide ideation. International Psychogeriatrics. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1017/S1041610222000114

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., Greco, P., & Glue, P. (2022). Aging among persons with serious mental illness: Policy implications for earlier onset of frailty. GeroPsyc. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1024/1662-9647/a000302

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., Rapsey, C., & Scott, K. M. (2022). Clusters of dementia literacy: Implications from a survey of older adults. Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 1(9), 172-177. doi: 10.14283/jpad.2021.66

Journal - Research Article

Hall, Y., Smith, J., Turner, R. M., Greco, P., Hau, K., & Barak, Y. (2022). Creating opportunities to improve detection of older adult abuse: A national interRAI study. BMC Geriatrics, 22, 220. doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-02938-3

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., Barson, D., Davie, G., Glue, P., & Paleacu, D. (2021). Internalize at your peril: Internalizing disorders as risk factors for dementia: Cohort study. GeroScience, 43, 253-261. doi: 10.1007/s11357-020-00285-y

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., Fortune, S., Hobbs, L., Cheung, G., & Zalsman, G. (2021). Strategies to prevent elderly suicide: A Delphi consensus study. Australasian Psychiatry. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/10398562211064256

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., Leitch, S., & Glue, P. (2021). The Great Escape: Centenarians' exceptional health. Aging Clinical & Experimental Research, 33(3), 513-520. doi: 10.1007/s40520-020-01552-w

Journal - Research Article

Cheung, G., Maher, T. M., Barak, Y., & Hirdes, J. P. (2021). Determinants of non-emergency use of control interventions in older Canadian psychiatric inpatients: Analysizing the interRAI mental health electronic health records. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 744341. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.744341

Journal - Research Article

Speciani, M., Barak, Y., Damanhuri, H., De Ronchi, D., Panariello, F., & Atti, A. R. (2021). A perspective on chronic and long-lasting anorexia nervosa. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 756669. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.756669

Journal - Research Article

Thomson, W. M., & Barak, Y. (2021). Tooth loss and dementia: A critical examination. Journal of Dental Research, 100(3), 226-231. doi: 10.1177/0022034520957233

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., Cheung, G., Fortune, S., & Glue, P. (2020). No country for older men: Ageing male suicide in New Zealand. Australasian Psychiatry, 28(4), 383-385. doi: 10.1177/1039856220905304

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., Gray, A. R., Rapsey, C., & Scott, K. (2020). The Dunedin Dementia Risk Awareness Project: Pilot study in older adults. International Psychogeriatrics, 32(2), 241-254. doi: 10.1017/s1041610219000772

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., Neehoff, S., & Glue, P. (2020). Ageing badly: Indicators of old-age structure in Australia and New Zealand. Journal of Primary Health Care, 12(3), 272-276. doi: 10.1071/hc19095

Journal - Research Article

Gale, C., & Barak, Y. (2020). Euthanasia, medically assisted dying or assisted suicide: Time for psychiatrists to say no. Australasian Psychiatry, 28(2), 160-163. doi: 10.1177/1039856219878645

Journal - Research Article

Moebs, I., Abeln, E., Siefert, A., & Barak, Y. (2020). Potentially inappropriate medications in a psychogeriatric inpatient ward: An audit based on Beers Criteria. Neurology & Therapy, 9, 151-157. doi: 10.1007/s40120-020-00188-2

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., Leitch, S., & Greco, P. (2019). Identifying hoarding disorder in the elderly using the interRAI. Archives of Gerontology & Geriatrics, 80, 95-97. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2018.10.014

Journal - Research Article

Cheung, G., Wright-St Clair, V., Chacko, E., & Barak, Y. (2019). Financial difficulty and biopsychosocial predictors of loneliness: A cross-sectional study of community dwelling older adults. Archives of Gerontology & Geriatrics, 85, 103935. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2019.103935

Journal - Research Article

Choo, T., Barak, Y., & East, A. (2019). The effects of intuitive movement reembodiment on the quality of life of older adults with dementia: A pilot study. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias, 35, 1-7. doi: 10.1177/1533317519860331

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., Rapsey, C., Fridman, D., & Scott, K. (2018). The Dunedin Dementia Risk Awareness Project: A convenience sample of general practitioners. New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1474), 27-34. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Leitch, S., Glue, P., Gray, A. R., Greco, P., & Barak, Y. (2018). Comparison of psychosocial variables associated with loneliness in centenarian vs elderly populations in New Zealand. JAMA Network Open, 1(6), e183880. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3880

Journal - Research Article

Ohana, I., Golander, H., & Barak, Y. (2018). Aging of Holocaust survivors: Discrepancies between subjective and general health in the greater Tel Aviv area. Israel Medical Association Journal, 20, 207-210.

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., & Fridman, D. (2017). Impact of Mediterranean diet on cancer: Focused literature review. Cancer Geonomics & Proteomics, 14(6), 403-408. doi: 10.21873/cgp.20050

Journal - Research Article

Briskman, I., Shelef, A., Berger, U., Baruch, Y., Bar, G., Asherov, J., … Barak, Y. (2017). Deliberate self-harm in older adults: A general hospital emergency department survey. Israel Medical Association Journal, 19(3), 160-163.

Journal - Research Article

Rothschild, S., Kaplan, G., Golan, T., & Barak, Y. (2017). Mindfulness meditation in the Israel Defense Forces: Effect on cognition and satisfaction with life: A randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 10, 71-74. doi: 10.1016/j.eujim.2017.01.010

Journal - Research Article

Tzvieli, A., Zaig, T., Ayal, I., Thieberger, G., Rothschild, S., & Barak, Y. (2017). The impact of self-directed Voice of Love messages on anger: A pilot study. Advances in Mind-Body Medicine, 31(2), 12-15.

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., Finkelstein, I., & Pridan, S. (2016). The geriatric mania asenapine study (GeMS). Archives of Gerontology & Geriatrics, 64, 111-114. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2016.01.012

Journal - Research Article

Achiron, A., Givon, U., Magalashvili, D., Dolev, M., Zaltzman, S. L., Kalron, A., … Barak, Y. (2015). Effect of Alfacalcidol on multiple sclerosis-related fatigue: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 21(6), 767-775. doi: 10.1177/1352458514554053

Journal - Research Article

Kertesz, D. P., Swartz, M. V., Tadger, S., Plopski, I., & Barak, Y. (2015). Tetrabenazine for tardive tremor in elderly adults: A prospective follow-up study. Clinical Neuropharmacology, 38(1), 23-25. doi: 10.1097/wnf.0000000000000061

Journal - Research Article

Klang, S. H., Ben-Amnon, Y., Cohen, Y., & Barak, Y. (2015). Community pharmacists' support improves antidepressant adherence in the community. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 30(6), 316-319. doi: 10.1097/yic.0000000000000090

Journal - Research Article

Pridan, S., Swartz, M., Baruch, Y., Tadger, S., Plopski, I., & Barak, Y. (2015). Effectiveness and safety of clozapine in elderly patients with chronic resistant schizophrenia. International Psychogeriatrics, 27(1), 131-134. doi: 10.1017/s1041610214001756

Journal - Research Article

Shelef, A., Mazeh, D., Berger, U., Baruch, Y., & Barak, Y. (2015). Acute electroconvulsive therapy followed by maintenance electroconvulsive therapy decreases hospital re-admission rates of older patients with severe mental illness. Journal of ECT, 31(2), 125-128. doi: 10.1097/yct.0000000000000197

Journal - Research Article

Shelef, A., Zdaka, C., & Barak, Y. (2015). Happiness amongst Israel Defense Force (IDF) Mental Health Officers (MHO’s). Disaster & Military Medicine, 1(7). doi: 10.1186/2054-314X-1-7

Journal - Research Article

Valencia, M., Fresán, A., Barak, Y., Juárez, F., Escamilla, R., & Saracco, R. (2015). Predicting functional remission in patients with schizophrenia: A cross-sectional study of symptomatic remission, psychosocial remission, functioning, and clinical outcome. Neuropsychiatric Disease & Treatment, 11, 2339-2348. doi: 10.2147/ndt.s87335

Journal - Research Article

Nehama, Y., Rabinowitz, I., Baruch, Y., Mandel, A., Lurie, I., & Barak, Y. (2014). Debunking the placebo effect in depression: The effect of patient and investigator expectation on escitalopram efficacy. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 29(2), 106-110. doi: 10.1097/yic.0000000000000013

Journal - Research Article

Ohana, I., Golander, H., & Barak, Y. (2014). Balancing psychache and resilience in aging Holocaust survivors. International Psychogeriatrics, 26(6), 929-934. doi: 10.1017/s104161021400012x

Journal - Research Article

Or, A., Baruch, Y., Tadger, S., & Barak, Y. (2014). Real-life decision making of Serious Mental Illness patients: Opt-in and opt-out research participation. Israel Journal of Psychiatry & Related Sciences, 51(3), 199-203.

Journal - Research Article

Raviv, G., Laufer, M., Baruch, Y., & Barak, Y. (2014). Risk of prostate cancer in patients with schizophrenia. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 55(7), 1639-1642. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.05.007

Journal - Research Article

Shelef, A., Hiss, J., Cherkashin, G., Berger, U., Aizenberg, D., Baruch, Y., & Barak, Y. (2014). Psychosocial and medical aspects of older suicide completers in Israel: A 10-year survey. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 29(8), 846-851. doi: 10.1002/gps.4070

Journal - Research Article

Achiron, A., Chapman, J., Magalashvili, D., Dolev, M., Lavie, M., Bercovich, E., … Barak, Y. (2013). Modeling of cognitive impairment by disease duration in multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE, 8(8), e71058. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071058

Journal - Research Article

Bergman, Y., & Barak, Y. (2013). Escitalopram for antipsychotic nonresponsive visual hallucinosis: Eight patients suffering from Charles Bonnet syndrome. International Psychogeriatrics, 25(9), 1433-1436. doi: 10.1017/s1041610213000719

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., & Aizenberg, D. (2012). Clinical and psychosocial remission in schizophrenia: correlations with antipsychotic treatment. BMC Psychiatry, 12, 108. doi: 10.1186/1471-244x-12-108

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., & Aizenberg, D. (2011). Switching to aripiprazole as a strategy for weight reduction: A meta-analysis in patients suffering from schizophrenia. Journal of Obesity, 2011, 898013. doi: 10.1155/2011/898013

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., Levy, D., Szor, H., & Aizenberg, D. (2011). First-onset functional brief psychoses in the elderly. Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 14(2), 30-33.

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., Plopski, I., Tadger, S., & Paleacu, D. (2011). Escitalopram versus risperidone for the treatment of behavioral and psychotic symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease: A randomized double-blind pilot study. International Psychogeriatrics, 23(9), 1515-1519. doi: 10.1017/s1041610211000743

Journal - Research Article

Barak, Y., Swartz, M., & Baruch, Y. (2011). Venlafaxine or a second SSRI: Switching after treatment failure with an SSRI among depressed inpatients: A retrospective analysis. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 35(7), 1744-1747. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2011.06.007

Journal - Research Article

Levy, T. B., Barak, Y., Sigler, M., & Aizenberg, D. (2011). Suicide attempts and burden of physical illness among depressed elderly inpatients. Archives of Gerontology & Geriatrics, 52(1), 115-117. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2010.02.012

Journal - Research Article

Ohanna, I., Golander, H., & Barak, Y. (2011). Does late onset depression predispose to dementia? A retrospective, case-controlled study. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 52(6), 659-661. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2010.10.016

Journal - Research Article

Tadger, S., Paleacu, D., & Barak, Y. (2011). Quetiapine augmentation of antidepressant treatment in elderly patients suffering from depressive symptoms: A retrospective chart review. Archives of Gerontology & Geriatrics, 53(1), 104-105. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2010.06.012

Journal - Research Article

More publications...