Research Areas

Overview

Ultra-high risk focuses on young people who may be at increased risk of going on to develop schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Why is this research area important?

Ultra-high risk research provides greater insight into risk and protective factors for psychotic disorders, mechanisms that drive the onset of these disorders, and the most effective treatments for delaying or preventing the onset of psychotic disorders and other adverse outcomes in young people at high risk.

Key questions

- Amongst young people at high risk for psychosis, how can we accurately identify individuals at greatest risk of progressing to schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, as well as other adverse outcomes such as poor functioning, non-psychotic disorders and persistent attenuated psychotic symptoms?
- What are the psychosocial and neurobiological mechanisms driving the onset of psychotic disorders?
- In the high risk for psychosis group which treatments are most effective (and in what sequence) for reducing existing symptoms, delaying or preventing onset of psychotic disorders, and improving functional outcomes?