B-SPRINT v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Bipolar, Schizophrenia and Psychosis Research Initiative (B-SPRINT) of the Brain and Genomics Hub
IRAS ID
349732
Contact name
James Walters
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
6 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Diagnosis in psychiatry relies on the presence of groups of experiences and symptoms and these can overlap substantially between conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar or schizoaffective disorder. At the same time people who have received the same diagnosis can have vastly different experiences and can respond differently to existing treatments. This study aims to recruit a diverse group of participants with these conditions from various sources including NHS services, third-sector organizations, and past research participants. We aim to go beyond diagnostic boundaries, to help identify ways to develop more targeted treatment approaches for these conditions, and to improve methods of diagnosis.
With participant consent, we will collect a range of information to better understand these conditions including:
• Self-reported information: Information shared by participants about themselves through questionnaires.
• Symptoms interview: Information shared by participants in an in-person interview about their experiences of psychosis, high mood, depression, and suicidal thoughts and acts.
• Cognitive tasks: Tasks that tell us about memory and concentration.
• Biological sample: Blood (up to 100ml) or saliva samples to identify biomarkers and study genetic factors.
• Physical measurements: Height, weight, waist circumference and waist to hip circumference.
• Brain scans: MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and MEG (Magnetoencephalography) scans give us information on how the brain functions.
• Data linkage: If participants consent, we will link their study data with anonymous health records held in the SAIL Databank and Akrivia Health data.
The study visit will take approximately 6 hours. Participants will be paid £100 for their time as well as having travel expenses and lunch on the day paid for. Participants are welcome to withdraw from the study at any point.If the participant consents, the data collected will be shared with other researchers to support future work. The study has been designed in collaboration with people with lived experience of these conditions, and there will be continuing involvement and engagement throughout the project.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
25/WA/0027
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion