de Haan Group - Early Psychosis
Clinical relevant variation in Early Psychosis
Patients with early psychosis differ substantially in therapeutic and subjective response on antipsychotic treatment, co-morbidity (for example obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder or substance use disorders) and cognitive and social functioning.
These differences are clinically relevant and understudied. These variations are thought to be partly related to differences in dopaminergic neurotransmission. Modulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission by antipsychotic medication and illicit drugs affects symptoms and wellbeing.
The research projects of the Early Psychosis Department of the Department of Psychiatry (AMC) can be categorized in three main objectives:
1. Finding brain and behavioural characteristics of specific disturbances in early psychotic disorders.
2. Define the developmental trajectories around onset of psychotic disorders to determine when and how to intervene.
3. Develop better interventions directed at the diverse needs, circumstances and characteristics of people with early psychotic disorders. It is necessary that clinical research identifies individual patterns of intervention response. The goal is a personalized approach to treatment