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UNC School of Medicine | Department of Psychiatry

PRIME Research Program

The PRIME: Early Psychosis Research Program was established to better understand the causes, course and treatment of “Clinical High Risk Symptoms.” These symptoms include changes in thinking, mood and perception.

Reach out to PRIME (Prevention through Risk Identification Management & Education)

To find out if you might be eligible to participate in one of our studies, please complete this questionnaire:

Take a Simple Survey

People experiencing the following symptoms may be at increased risk for developing an illness like psychosis:

  • Confusion about what is real or imaginary.
  • Frequent déjà vu.
  • Wondering if people can read minds, hear thoughts.
  • Mystical/philosophical/religious ideas.
  • The familiar feels strange, confusing, threatening, or has special meaning.
  • It seems that the mind/eyes/ears are playing tricks or are misperceiving reality (for example mistaking a dog barking for someone calling out a name).
  • Changes in perceptual sensitivity–heightened or dulled.
  • Unexpected perceptual changes, noises, lights, shadows, geometrical designs, and whispers or hearing one’s name called.
  • Increased sensitivity to smells and tastes.
  • Notions of being watched, singled out, talked about, or plotted against, even if unsure whether it is true.
  • Confused or muddled thinking.
  • Using the wrong words, talking about things irrelevant to context of conversations, or going off track.
  • Difficulty paying attention or remembering simple things.
  • Notions of being especially important, talented, gifted, powerful, or superior to others.
  • Decreased interest in spending time or talking with friends or family.
  • Less interested in everyday activities or hobbies.
  • Prefer to be alone.

ProCAN: Psychosis Risk Outcome Network

A research study for young people with mental health concerns

Currently Recruiting

The ProCAN study is recruiting young people who are at Clinical High Risk (CHR) – meaning they’re experiencing some early signs or changes that suggest they might be at a higher risk of developing conditions like psychosis in the future.

What is the purpose of this study?

The primary purpose of this study is to:

  • Understand how the investigational medicine (MT1988) affects certain ‘clues’ in your body and brain. These ‘clues’ are like internal signals. We are looking for specific signals that might show us how MT1988 is affecting your body and brain. We call these ‘biomarkers’.
  • The study is also looking at ‘clues’ related to your thinking skills and clinical observations (how you’re feeling and functioning).
  • The goal is to see if the medicine, at two different dose levels, changes these clues.

Eligibility

Some individuals may be at higher risk of developing psychosis than others. This study is recruiting people who have experiences or circumstances that may put them at higher risk. You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Ages 17-30
  • Noticing a recent change in thinking, behavior, or experiences, such as:
  • Confusion about what is real or imaginary
  • Feeling not in control of your own thoughts of ideas
  • Feeling suspicious or paranoid
  • Having experiences that may not be real, such as hearing sounds or seeing things that may not be there
  • Having trouble communicating clearly

To determine if you are eligible, you would complete an interview and other tests such as a physical exam, blood tests and a review of your medical history. If eligible, you will then be enrolled into the study and randomly assigned to 1 of three treatments:

  • Low dose MT1988
  • High dose MT1988
  • Placebo

The study is blinded, so you will not know what treatment you are receiving.

What Would I Do in this Study if I am enrolled?

You will come back to the clinic for 8 visits over the next three months. The visits would entail:

  • Clinical Interviews
    • These focus on questions about your daily life and about different experiences and symptoms.
  • Biological Assessments
    • These include saliva tests, blood tests, and  Electroencephalography (EEG) brain scans.
  • Cognitive Tests
    • These focus on memory, attention, concentration and learning.
  • Investigational drug/placebo
    • Continue taking the assigned treatment throughout the study.

If you are not currently experiencing any of the above symptoms, but are still interested in volunteering for a research study, view our Volunteer for a Research Study page to learn more.