Project Summary

Paola Salvatore, M.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of McLean Hospital/Harvard University, proposes studying the relationship between early psychopathological events, initial symptoms and then full onset of the first episodes of psychotic illness. Dr. Salvatore also will assess the timing of psychiatric assessments and treatment interventions, and their relationship to diagnosis, subsequent episodic and inter-episode morbidity, course and long-term outcome. The two-year study will include nearly 400 subjects: 300 with major affective disorder (bipolar disorder or major depression) and 100 with either schizophrenia or other non-affective psychotic disorders. Preliminary assessments indicate that psychopathological precursors of psychotic illness can include temperamental traits and cognitive, affective, somatic, and behavioral symptoms, and 'soft' psychotic manifestations, impaired sociability and functioning. "Age-at-onset of first lifetime psychotic syndrome" varied greatly among individuals, even within homogeneous diagnostic subgroups. This population invites analysis of the association of "age-at-onset" to precursor clinical features, specific psychotic presentations and long-term course and functional outcomes. The study also will investigate the possible association of duration of untreated psychosis to course and outcome of psychotic and major affective illnesses.

Program Area: MULTIPLE FOCUS AREAS\Mood Disorders/Schizophrenia

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