EVIDENTIAL · rEVealIng Drug Effects when applyiNg psychomeTrics In schizophreniA triaLs (EVIDENTIAL)

The EVIDENTIAL project (rEVealIng Drug Effects when applyiNg psychomeTrics In schizophreniA triaLs) seeks to enhance the accuracy of treatment outcome measurements in schizophrenia clinical trials by refining existing gold standard assessment tools such as the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). These tools have limitations in accurately measuring treatment efficacy. The project aims to address this by applying advanced psychometric methods, including Factor Analysis (FA), Item Response Theory (IRT), and Network Analysis (NA), to reduce measurement errors and improve the detection of treatment effects, potentially resulting in larger effect sizes.Objectives include analyzing the psychometric properties of PANSS and BPRS using FA, IRT, and NA to reduce error and improve symptom assessment accuracy, and investigating whether these improved models yield larger effect sizes in clinical trials. These efforts align with the EU’s focus on better mental health outcomes through enhanced treatment strategies.The project is structured into two key work packages:WP1: Focuses on psychometric evaluation of PANSS and BPRS using data from multiple randomized clinical trials, aiming to refine these tools and explore symptom differences across gender and ethnicity.WP2: Applies the refined models to existing trial data, comparing traditional and psychometrically-informed effect sizes to assess improvements.The skills gained through this fellowship will equip me to become a leading expert in psychometric applications for psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia. The combination of research and training will prepare me for a future role as a principal investigator/research director, allowing me to lead innovative projects that advance the field of mental health research.Ultimately, EVIDENTIAL could significantly improve clinical decision-making and the effectiveness of schizophrenia treatments.