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| Defining the prevalence of subjects at Ultra High Risk of psychosis | ||||||||||||
The first aim of this studentship is to identify all cases who are Ultra High Risk for psychosis within a defined catchment area population, including subjects who have not been in contact with clinical services. The second objective is to establish what proportion of this total population are help-seeking, and to compare help-seeking and non help-seeking subjects in terms of socio-demographic measures, psychopathology, cognitive function, genetic factors and clinical outcome. A recent study (the South East London Community Health Survey) led by Prof Matthew Hotopf screened people in 1,200 randomly-selected households in Southwark and Lambeth for psychotic symptoms. Approximately 200 of these individuals had psychotic symptoms. The present project involves a detailed assessment of this subgroup, along with a randomly-selected subgroup of subjects who screened negative for psychotic symptoms. Each subject will undergo clinical assessment of Ultra High Risk symptoms using the CAARMS, the SPIA, the personality component of the SCID, and the GAF. Socio-demographic data will also be collected, along with a venous blood sample for genetic analyses. There will also be a very brief cognitive assessment, focused on the current IQ. Following assessment, subjects will be followed up after 2 years and their clinical and functional status will be re-assessed. Individuals who are found to meet diagnostic criteria for Ultra High Risk of psychosis will be offered referral to the local clinical service for this group. Individuals who are found to have other psychiatric disorders will be offered referral to the appropriate local clinical team. Funding Notes Award Type Funded 50% by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and 50% by the Department of Psychosis Studies. The studentship will cover full time tuition fees (at the UK/EU rate only) and provide a tax-free stipend for three years. Eligibility is restricted to home/EU candidates only. Candidates must check their eligibility to apply by visiting the following MRC link: http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Fundingopportunities/Applicanthandbook/Studentships/Eligibility/index.htm#at Entry Requirements Students must have or expect to obtain, a first class or high upper second-class honours degree in a health science, psychology or related discipline. Further Information For further information or enquiries, please contact Candice Ebelthite (candice.ebelthite@kcl.ac.uk). To Apply Please send a covering letter and CV to candice.ebelthite@kcl.ac.uk Department of Psychosis Studies The Department of Psychosis Studies (Head of Department, Professor Philip McGuire) is one of the world’s largest research groups focused on psychosis, and is a leading centre for research in psychosis, particularly in its early stages. It comprises over 100 staff, including leading academics with an expertise in the application of genetics, epidemiology, psychopathology, neuroimaging, cognition, and psychopharmacology in this field. The Department has received the highest possible rating in the UK Research Assessment Exercise (5*and 4*) in the last 2 reviews 2001 and 2008, and attracts students and staff from all over the world. It currently holds approximately £15million of research grant income, and has collectively produced over 400 publications and 15 books in the last 5 years. The successful student will be based in the Department of Psychosis Studies, supervised by Prof. Philip McGuire, and will work closely with Prof. Hotopf’s group in the Department of Psychological Medicine. Please include details of 2 referees, including their email addresses. Your referees will be contacted prior to your interview. |
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