Biomarkers to Guide Early Treatment in First-Episode Psychosis (BEEST)
Official title: 1/5 Biomarkers to Enhance Early Schizophrenia Treatment (BEEST)
Funded at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · NIH-11405513 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-center study aims to use brain scans and genetic information to help teens and young adults with a first episode of psychosis choose the best antipsychotic sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Centre for Addiction and Mental Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toronto, Canada) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $289,948 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH134889-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11405513 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adolescents and young adults experiencing a first episode of psychosis who may require antipsychotic therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to first-episode psychosis or those not expected to need clozapine-based decision making may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on teens and young adults experiencing their first episode of psychosis. It will use brain imaging and genetic tests to predict who might not respond to typical first-line antipsychotic drugs and who might be at higher risk of weight gain or agranulocytosis. Based on these biomarker results, researchers will work toward a decision-support tool to guide clozapine use when appropriate, with the goal of improving outcomes. The study plans to enroll about 410 participants across multiple centers and collect standardized biomarker data to harmonize findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more effective, personalized treatment earlier, potentially reducing disability and side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests biomarkers can help predict response to antipsychotics and guide treatment, but this approach is still being tested for broader clinical use.
Where this research is happening
-
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Canada Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Voineskos, Aristotle Nicholas — Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
- Study coordinator: Voineskos, Aristotle Nicholas
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.