PRESCIENT: Predicting Psychosis Risk in Adolescents
Official title: Trajectories and Predictors in the Clinical High Risk for Psychosis Population: Prediction Scientific Global Consortium (PRESCIENT)
Funded at University of Melbourne · NIH-11528609 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study in teens at risk for psychosis uses biomarkers and clinical data to 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) | $86,975 |
| NIH project number | 3U01MH124631-06S3 |
| Project ID | NIH-11528609 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Teens and young adults aged 12–20 who are at clinical high risk for psychosis and are willing to participate in long-term follow-up.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not at high risk or unwilling to participate in follow-up assessments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project follows teens aged 12–20 who are at clinical high risk for psychosis, gathering multiple biomarkers and clinical information over two years to build reliable risk predictions. Researchers use brain, biological, and clinical data to create models that estimate individual chances of developing psychosis or experiencing changes in symptoms and functioning. The study has already enrolled participants and completed baseline and early follow-up measurements, with ongoing monitoring and data analysis in a global collaboration. The aim is to enable earlier, more personalized prevention and care for youth at risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier identification and personalized prevention strategies for teens at risk of psychosis, potentially reducing disability and improving outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous large-scale efforts have shown promise in combining biomarkers and clinical data to predict psychosis risk, with ongoing refinement in PRESCIENT.
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.