Psychosis in African and Caribbean communities
Psychosis in Ancestrally Diverse Settings (PADS)
This project compares clinical care and whole-genome DNA information to learn why psychosis looks and responds differently in people from African and Caribbean backgrounds and related groups in the US.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Suny Downstate Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brooklyn, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11163380 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers at SUNY Downstate, the University of Ibadan, and the University of the West Indies will collect clinical information, treatment histories, and symptom measures from people with psychosis in Brooklyn, Nigeria, and Trinidad. The study includes people identified with untreated psychosis as well as matched inpatient patients, and it will collect blood samples for whole-genome sequencing. Investigators will compare symptoms, outcomes, and genetic findings to large U.S. datasets to see which genetic risk tools and findings apply across these populations. The goal is to create better, more relevant genetic and clinical knowledge to help guide care for people of African and Caribbean ancestry.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with recent or ongoing psychotic disorders, especially those of African or Caribbean ancestry who can be seen at participating sites in Brooklyn, Ibadan (Nigeria), or St. Augustine (Trinidad and Tobago) are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without psychotic disorders, those living far from the participating sites, or those unwilling to provide a blood sample are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors better predict and tailor treatments for psychosis in people of African and Caribbean ancestry.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier pilot projects (INTREPID I & II) and large U.S. genomic cohorts have provided useful groundwork, but applying whole-genome sequencing and polygenic score comparisons in Global South populations is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Brooklyn, United States
- Suny Downstate Medical Center — Brooklyn, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bigdeli, Tim Bernard — Suny Downstate Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bigdeli, Tim Bernard
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 below.