A PROFESSIONAL body has been formed to pool worldwide research into mental health problems such as anxiety, panic attacks and depression.

The International Society for Affective Disorders (AD) is the brainchild of Professor Chris Thompson, head of the University of Southampton Department of Mental Health.

It aims to bring together active researchers from genetics, neuroscience, pharmacology, psychology, public health and the social sciences who are working in the AD field.

Society members will be able to interact daily on the Internet and through publications, conferences and seminars. They will be able to post peer-reviewed publications and notices on the society website, find out about the latest research, and talk to other professionals online.

Professor Thompson, also director of the university's clinical sciences research division, said: "Depression alone is forecast to become the second biggest cause of disability in the world over the next decade. Yet, there has not been a multi-disciplinary research body focusing on affective disorders which has seriously held back progress."

The society has secured a £50,000 educational grant from a major pharmaceutical company and is hoping to attract more than 5,000 members worldwide over the next year.