The Early Psychosis: Investigating Cognition (EPIC) study makes use of functional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (fMRS) to examine real time changes in brain metabolites to study cognitive dysfunction in psychosis.

Summary of the project and objectives

The EPIC project makes use of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) to study real-time changes in key neurometabolites – Glutamate and Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) in order to explore the correlation of these neurometabolites with cognitive functioning in individuals with First Episode Psychosis. It also investigates how these changes may predict response to a single 'accelerated’ session of non-invasive brain stimulation using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Lastly, the project aims to explore the subjective experience of cognitive dysfunction in individuals with lived experience of psychosis.

Why the project is important

More than 80% of individuals with psychosis experience significant cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive dysfunction is one of the key determinants of long-term outcomes and functioning in psychosis. However, cognitive dysfunction is significantly under recognised in clinical practise. Moreover, our understanding of the why and how cognitive dysfunction occurs in psychosis is rudimentary which hampers efforts to develop treatments for the same.

How we plan to achieve this

We use functional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (fMRS) to investigate the real-time changes in neurometabolites to assess their relationship with cognitive function and explore their potential as a neurochemical marker for cognitive function in psychosis. We also use qualitative methods to explore the lived experience of cognitive dysfunction in psychosis.

Funding source

Funded by the Wellcome Trust

Who is supporting the project

The core team consists of faculty from the School of Medicine (Psychiatry), School of Science (Psychology) and the School of Physics and Astronomy, supported by the Research Delivery Team (Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust) and NIHR East Midlands RRDN.

EPIC Website

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