NIH-funded research R37 grant

Neurodevelopment and Psychosis in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

Official title: Neurodevelopment and Psychosis in the 22q11.2 Copy Number Variants

Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11404798 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A long-term study follows people with 22q11.2 deletions to understand how genetic risk leads to brain and behavior changes over time, with the goal of identifying early clues for psychosis.

More Psychosis research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR37 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project startDecember 14, 2009
Project endApril 30, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$724,543
NIH project number5R37MH085953-14
Project IDNIH-11404798 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Individuals aged adolescence to early adulthood who have a diagnosed 22q11.2 deletion/duplication and are willing to participate in long-term follow-up.

Less likely to help

Individuals without a 22q11.2 CNV or not interested in long-term participation may not benefit.

What this research studies

This project enrolls individuals with the 22q11.2 deletion and tracks their development over several years to uncover early biomarkers and biological pathways linked to psychosis. By studying genetics first, researchers hope to see how brain development unfolds differently in this group and how related genes contribute to risk. The study uses longitudinal assessments, neuroimaging, and biological samples to map how early vulnerability evolves into neuropsychiatric outcomes. Findings could guide earlier interventions and inform families about prognosis and care needs.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to earlier detection and targeted strategies to reduce risk or improve outcomes for people with 22q11.2 deletions.

How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows promise in linking 22q11.2 CNVs with neuropsychiatric risk, with ongoing longitudinal insight expected from this study.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California Los Angeles
    Los Angeles, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Bearden, Carrie E — University of California Los Angeles
  • Study coordinator: Bearden, Carrie E

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.

    NIH research Suny Downstate Medical Center · Brooklyn, United States · NIH-11592428

  • 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.

    NIH research Suny Downstate Medical Center · Brooklyn, United States · NIH-11592427

  • 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.

    NIH research Northwestern University · Chicago, United States · NIH-11590585

  • 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.

    NIH research Boston Children's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11554752

  • 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.

    NIH research VA San Diego Healthcare System · San Diego, United States · NIH-11552825

  • 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.

    NIH research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · New York, United States · NIH-11539126

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.