Project details

Summary

What is the study about?

First-episode psychosis (FEP) is when a patient experiences psychotic symptoms (for example hallucinations and delusions) for the first time. Standard NHS care helps to treat psychotic symptoms, but young people may still struggle to return to previous social and work roles. We think this may be related to depression experienced after FEP.

You can read more and a watch a video about the study here. 

What are you trying to find out?

This study is no longer looking for new participants but is still ongoing.

This study aims to find out whether an antidepressant medication (sertraline) can reduce the risk of depression happening at all after FEP, and  if preventing depression can improve recovery.

It is important that any new way of managing FEP is effective and evaluated. Prescribing sertraline to patients with FEP is not common in the NHS. This is a trial to see if taking sertraline for the first 6 months as a preventative measure can reduce the chances of depression. This can only be tested as part of a trial where some people get sertraline and some do not, and results are compared.

This study will recruit 508 patients from Early Intervention in Psychosis Services (EIP) in England and Wales.

Why is it important? 

This study will help us to find out if sertraline helps patients by preventing depression. Whilst there may be no immediate benefits to you, the aim is to improve the longer-term care for people with psychosis.

How can I find out more?

This study is no longer looking for new participants but is still ongoing.

If you want to find out more about this study, you can also visit the project website here. This study is no longer looking for new participants, but if you have questions about the project, click the button below to email the research team:

Email the research team