An Orygen-led study designed to improve outcomes for people experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP) has received a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant of almost $2.3 million.
CogScreen is a three-year collaboration between seven Australian centres and one international partner, focused on establishing the most accurate cognitive screening tool for Australian early psychosis service patients.
The study will provide clinicians with a rapid and cost-effective way of identifying cognitive impairment in FEP patients so they can refine diagnosis and deliver more effective treatments and services.
Orygen senior research fellow Associate Professor Kelly Allott, who is leading the study, said the ultimate aim of the study was to improve the lives of FEP patients.
“As cognitive impairment is common in FEP and predicts poorer patient outcomes, cognitive screening is important to ensure treatment is in line with patients’ cognitive needs,” Associate Professor Allot said.
“As it stands, there are no well-validated cognitive screening tools for clinical use in FEP, so we’re hoping to address that gap through CogScreen.”