Prevalence of pathogenetic antibodies in psychosis (PPiP2)
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Participant type
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Key Documents
Overview
There is some evidence that some cases of psychosis may be caused by a specific problem with the immune system. The immune system normally controls our ability to fight infection. If the immune system goes wrong it may cause condition called ‘autoimmune’ diseases. We can diagnose some of these diseases using blood tests.
This study aims to see how many people with psychosis may have this specific problem with their immune system. We can find out that by testing your blood sample for specific antibodies.
Summary
What is the study about?
There is some evidence that some cases of psychosis may be caused by a specific problem with the immune system. The immune system normally controls our ability to fight infection. If the immune system goes wrong it may cause condition called ‘autoimmune’ diseases. We can diagnose some of these diseases using blood tests.
What are you trying to find out?
This study aims to see how many people with psychosis may have this specific problem with their immune system. We can find out that by testing your blood sample for specific antibodies. If a problem with immune system is found, then you may be eligible to take part in a study called SINAPPS2.
PPiP2 is a cross-sectional study conducted in over 40 NHS mental health trusts, across England and Scotland. It tests serum of study participants with psychosis for NMDAR, LGI1, GABA-A and CASPR2. PPiP2 will continue to recruit study participants until the end of November 2027.
What does taking part involve?
We will collect a small sample of blood from you and other people with psychosis symptoms from across the country. If you agree, we will study these samples and store them for use in future ethically approved research studies. We will also collect some information about your symptoms and background. This will take about fifteen minutes. We will offer you £10 to thank you for your time if you decide to take part in the study.
Who is it for?
- Aged 16 - 70
- You have been referred to a mental health service as possibly having psychosis or experiencing symptoms of psychosis
Why is it important?
There is some evidence that points to the body’s immune system being one of the causes of psychosis. The immune system is meant to keep us safe from infections and disease.
Sometimes the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy parts of the body. If the immune system attacks the brain it can become ‘inflamed’, leading to psychosis. A blood test can often tell us if this might be happening.
If your immune system is not working properly there are treatments that may help. To offer these treatments we need to be able to routinely identify the people whose immune systems might be contributing to their psychosis. This is what the PPiP2 study is all about.
How can I find out more?
You can find out more information about taking part in this study by downloading the key documents at the top of this page. You can also visit the University of Oxford's website here.
If you are interested in taking part in this study, or have questions for the research team, click the button below to email us:
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