Predicting outcomes in teens at high risk for psychosis (PRESCIENT)
Official title: Trajectories and Predictors in the Clinical High Risk for Psychosis Population: Prediction Scientific Global Consortium (PRESCIENT)
Funded at University of Melbourne · NIH-11528615 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project follows teens at high risk for psychosis to build better tools that predict who may develop psychosis or related outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Melbourne NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Melbourne, Australia) |
| Project start | September 8, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $189,465 |
| NIH project number | 3U01MH124631-06S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11528615 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adolescents or young adults (roughly 12–20 years old) who are identified as clinically high risk for psychosis and are willing to participate in longitudinal assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Participants who do not show progression to psychosis or related outcomes may still contribute valuable data, but direct benefits may be limited for those individuals.
What this research studies
PRESCIENT tracks adolescents and young adults identified as clinically high risk for psychosis over two years, collecting multiple types of data such as biology, brain imaging, and clinical assessments to refine prediction models. The study builds on a large international effort to find ways to intervene early and tailor care before a psychotic disorder fully develops. Participants have already been recruited, with ongoing follow-up visits and biomarker measurements to monitor progression and outcomes like symptom persistence, functioning, and recovery. The goal is to create reliable risk estimates that clinicians can use to personalize prevention strategies for youth at risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier and more precise prevention and treatment plans for teens at risk of psychosis, potentially reducing disability and improving long-term outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous international efforts have shown promise in multimodal prediction models, though refining accuracy and applicability remains an active area of research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nelson, Christopher Barnaby — University of Melbourne
- Study coordinator: Nelson, Christopher Barnaby
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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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.
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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.
-
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.