International Trials Day - PPiP2
Prevalence of Pathogenic Antibodies in Psychosis (PPiP2) – Antibody testing for the SINAPPS2 trial
The PPiP2 study aims to identify potential participants for the SINAPPS2 trial investigating the role of the immune system in psychosis. Anti neuronal membrane antibodies can cause neuroinflammation (encephalitis).
Psychosis symptoms are often seen in the early phase of encephalitis, but many patients with psychosis and with anti-neuronal antibodies found in their serum do not develop encephalitis or any other neurological disease.
This research aims to test more than 6,400 patients with psychosis to identify those with these antibodies. Previous studies found antibodies in 6-9% of patients with first episode of psychosis (Lennox et al., 2016).
Patients from over 40 mental health trusts in the UK who have acute psychosis symptoms are invited to take part and provide a small blood sample. A positive test result would indicate there may be neuro-immune link to their psychosis symptoms which would warrant further investigation.
Anyone who has a positive antibody test result can be seen at short notice by one of the trial neurologists to screen for encephalitis and potentially take part in the SINAPPS2 trial. Testing for these antibodies in people with acute psychosis is therefore good clinical practice, as there is the potential for the early detection of a life threatening encephalitis.
Local researchers and clinicians are recruiting to this study, if you know someone who may be eligible please contact your local research team or contact the central study team directly.
