Comparing Medicines for a First Episode of Psychosis
Official title: Comparative effectiveness of pharmacologic strategies to treat first episode psychosis
Funded at Mclean Hospital · NIH-11419764 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study looking at how different antipsychotic medicines work for teens and adults when they first develop psychosis, with a focus on sticking to the treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mclean Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Belmont, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $211,652 |
| NIH project number | 5P50MH115846-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419764 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Teens and adults with a first episode of psychosis who may be treated with oral or long-acting injectable antipsychotics.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients may not benefit if their treatment plans differ from standard practices or if data do not reflect their specific medical history.
What this research studies
This project uses real-world data to compare oral and long-acting injectable antipsychotics for people experiencing their first episode of psychosis. Researchers plan to emulate randomized trials using observational data to understand how different medicines perform in typical clinical settings. The study specifically aims to address adherence and its impact on relapse and hospitalization. Participants would be part of the data sources from the FEP-CAUSAL Collaboration, analyzing how initial treatments influence outcomes over time. The goal is to provide evidence that guides clinicians in choosing effective strategies for early intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with first-episode psychosis could receive more reliable guidance on which medicines help them stay adherent and reduce relapses.
How similar studies have gone: Past randomized trials (EUFEST, PRELAPSE) provide benchmarks; this work uses observational data to complement those findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Mclean Hospital
Belmont, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hernan, Miguel — Mclean Hospital
- Study coordinator: Hernan, Miguel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Psychosis in diverse settings across the world
This project studies how psychotic disorders show up and respond to treatment in adults with diverse backgrounds, including populations in Africa, the Caribbean, and other Global South settings.
-
Psychosis in Diverse Settings: Understanding Symptoms and Treatment Across Global South
A human-facing study will look at how psychotic disorders present and respond to treatment in adults from Africa, the Caribbean, and other Global South settings, using genetic and clinical data.
-
A new online brain-scan-style tool to spot early psychosis risk
A new online-based set of tasks and a computer model aims to identify people at high risk for developing psychosis earlier and more accurately.
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Genetic clues for early-onset psychosis in Latino youth
This project looks at the genes of young people with early-onset psychosis and compares them with similar youths without psychosis to find genetic factors that contribute to the illness.
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Biomarkers to tailor rehab for Veterans with schizophrenia
A clinician-scientist is developing a brain-based biomarker to guide personalized rehabilitation for Veterans with schizophrenia.
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Computational analysis of facial expression in early psychosis
Aims to develop computer-based measures of facial expression in people at risk for or with schizophrenia to help track symptoms and guide future trials.
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.