Approved Research

Predicting cognitive dysfunction and psychosocial disability in schizophrenia using genetic, neuroimaging and environmental data

Lay summary

Schizophrenia is a common mental illness and a major component is problems with cognition (memory, IQ, attention) that cause severe disability. These cognitive problems are not treated by current drugs but do respond to psychological therapies that focus on improving cognitive function to reduce disability. Our research aims to study how biological and environmental factors interact to influence indices of cognitive ability and social functioning in the general population. We will then test if we can use data to predict the level of cognitive and psychosocial disability being experienced by patients, to be able to prioritize patients for psychological therapies. If the model performs reliably and with health service providers, we would be able to detect, at an early stage, those at risk who might benefit from an earlier intervention.