Circadian neurobiology in psychiatric disorders
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of sleep and circadian timekeeping during the prodromal phase of psychosis Note that this is not the same title for the participant information sheet so as not to unblind the experiment or cause undue harm or distress to the participants should they be selected for the study. This is a high risk cohort and therefore not individuals who has a psychiatric disorder.
IRAS ID
145757
Contact name
Katharina Wulff
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Clinical Trials and Research Governance (CTRG)
Research summary
Psychosis is a relatively broad term and can be used to describe a loss of contact with reality, usually characterised by false beliefs about what is taking place or who one is (delusions) and seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations). The experience can be brief but can also characterise the onset of serious psychiatric illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. In both cases it can be incredibly debilitating and distressing for the individual. Disturbed sleep is found to feature in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, often exacerbating symptoms of the disorder. However, little is known about sleep in the build up to developing the disorder (the prodromal phase).
The aim of this study is to profile the population of those at high risk of developing psychosis, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and thus to identify factors which make young adults more vulnerable to these disorders. A clear characterisation of high risk individuals could lead to improved diagnosis, treatment and the early intervention of psychosis.
In order to better understand the relationship between sleep and psychosis, and the nature of the clinical high risk state of psychosis, we propose to evaluate high risk individuals on a diverse array of psychometric batteries. These include: cognitive testing, a range of mood and sleep questionnaires, activity levels, hormone profiles and polysomnography (PSG).
All of the above measures are non-invasive and will be assessed over a period of 3 weeks, primarily in their home environment but also on occasion in our research facilities. This should help give a better understanding of the prodromal phase of psychosis and the importance of sleep during it.
This work was funded by a Wellcome Trust Strategic Award (098461/Z/12/Z) to the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi)
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1142
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion