METPSY: metabolic biomarkers in severe mental illness
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Metabolic biomarkers of clinical outcomes in severe mental illness
IRAS ID
348873
Contact name
Daniel Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study forms part of the Hub for Metabolic Psychiatry, a multidisciplinary programme of work within the UKRI Mental Health Platform that aims to explore the role of metabolic dysfunction in severe mental illness. People with severe mental illness have high rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Early evidence thus suggests that metabolic dysfunction may be linked to severe mental illness. However, more research is needed to identify reliable markers of metabolism which may have an impact on mental health outcomes, and to fully understand the mechanisms behind this impact. In this study, we will investigate the relationship between metabolic markers and clinical outcomes of severe mental illness in young adults. The main purpose of this study is to determine whether changes in metabolic markers are linked to clinical outcomes. We will recruit 120 young adults aged 16-25 with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or no severe mental illness for a prospective observational study. During this time, we will assess clinical symptoms using in-person and remote (digital) assessments, measure metabolic biomarkers in blood, and also explore the relationship of these outcomes with sleep quality. Using advanced statistical techniques and machine learning analysis, we will thus seek to better understand the mechanisms linking metabolic health with mental health.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
24/NS/0138
Date of REC Opinion
2 Dec 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion