Objective Risk Assessment, Care & Liaison for Early Schizophrenia [ORACLES]
ORACLES is an integrated approach aimed at systematic assessment and follow up of persons with early psychosis. Apart from this, we also evaluate individuals at genetic risk for schizophrenia who are also considered as “high risk” subjects. It is well known that schizophrenia could run a chronic course and that longer duration of untreated illness could result in poorer outcome. Better and systematic treatment from the early stages of psychosis can potentially foster faster recovery enabling the person with schizophrenia to reintegrate with normal life in a more efficient way.
Studying the high risk subjects, who are relatives of persons suffering from psychosis offers many advantages. These individuals could be monitored closely for the emergence of symptoms of the illness. The subtle and early warning symptoms heralding the illness, also known as prodromal symptoms can be identified and prompt interventions can be initiated to prevent conversion to frank psychosis. We envisage implementing early rehabilitation efforts focusing on the various facets of the illness. Cognitive difficulties in persons with early psychosis and in the high risk subjects would be identified so that cognitive remediation can be introduced early in the course. An integrated approach in treatment is the guiding principle of ORACLES using medications, individual therapy, cognitive remediation and novel modalities such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
Studying the high risk subjects, who are relatives of persons suffering from psychosis offers many advantages. These individuals could be monitored closely for the emergence of symptoms of the illness. The subtle and early warning symptoms heralding the illness, also known as prodromal symptoms can be identified and prompt interventions can be initiated to prevent conversion to frank psychosis. We envisage implementing early rehabilitation efforts focusing on the various facets of the illness. Cognitive difficulties in persons with early psychosis and in the high risk subjects would be identified so that cognitive remediation can be introduced early in the course. An integrated approach in treatment is the guiding principle of ORACLES using medications, individual therapy, cognitive remediation and novel modalities such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
