Predictors of Transition to Psychosis in Individuals at Clinical High Risk

Current research is examining predictors of the transition to psychosis in youth who are at clinical high risk based on attenuated psychotic symptoms (APS). Determining predictors of the development of psychosis is important for an improved understanding of mechanisms as well as the development of preventative strategies. The purpose is to review the most recent literature identifying predictors of the transition to psychosis in those who are already assessed as being at risk.

Multidomain models, in particular, integrated models of symptoms, social functioning, and cognition variables, achieve better predictive performance than individual factors. There are many methodological issues; however, several solutions have now been described in the literature. For youth who already have APS, predicting who may go on to later develop psychosis is possible. Several studies are underway in large consortiums that may overcome some of the methodological concerns and develop improved means of prediction.