Using biomarkers to improve treatment for early schizophrenia
Official title: 2/5-Biomarkers to Enhance Early Schizophrenia Treatment (BEEST)
Funded at Feinstein Institute for Medical Research · NIH-10980193 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at young people who are having their first episode of psychosis to find out if brain scans and genetic tests can help doctors figure out who will do well on regular medications and who might need a different treatment sooner, with the goal of helping them get better faster.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Feinstein Institute for Medical Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manhasset, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $608,943 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH134883-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980193 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults experiencing their first episode of psychosis who may not be responding to first-line antipsychotic medications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already been treated with clozapine or those with psychosis not related to schizophrenia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis, particularly in late adolescence or early adulthood. It aims to identify biomarkers through brain scans and genetic tests that can help predict which patients will respond to standard antipsychotic medications and who may need to transition to clozapine sooner. By conducting a multi-center clinical trial, the researchers hope to develop a decision support tool that will guide clinicians in making more informed treatment choices, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more timely and effective treatment for patients with early schizophrenia, reducing the risk of lifelong disability.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using biomarkers to guide treatment decisions in psychiatric conditions, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
Manhasset, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Malhotra, Anil K — Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
- Study coordinator: Malhotra, Anil K
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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.