This page is dedicated to the Early-Onset Psychosis research study, one of 57 studies supported by the Boston Children’s Rare Disease Collaborative (CRDC). For more information about the CRDC, please visit our home page. Established in 2018, the CRDC supports pediatric rare disease research and provides families with genetic diagnoses that enable personalized treatments, including precision medicine and targeted therapies.

The Early-Onset Psychosis research study, established at Boston Children’s in 2021 and led by Drs. David Glanh, Joseph Gonzalez-Heydrich, and Catherine Brownstein, has enrolled 134 patients and their families. The study aims to identify genetic causes of early-onset psychosis and provide personalized medicine.

Early-onset psychosis is a rare condition typically defined as symptom onset before the age 18. Very early psychosis typically describes cases with onset before age 13.

While the causes of early-onset psychosis are poorly understood, genetic contributions are thought to be an underlying cause. Learn more early onset psychosis research at Boston Children’s.

Participate in research

Physicians may refer their patients with diagnoses of early-onset psychosis to Drs. Gonzalez-Heydrich and Brownstein. Once study eligibility is confirmed, a research coordinator will reach out to the family to consent and enroll them. Learn more about their studies on the Glahn Lab webpage, Dr. Gonzalez-Heydrich's research profile, and Dr. Brownstein's research profile.

Patient care

Patients and their families with early-onset psychosis can be seen by expert multidisciplinary teams in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Boston Children’s.

Notable publications by investigators

Children with early onset psychosis have an increased burden of rare GRIN2A variants

Investigators

Divisions

Disease support organizations

Mental Health America

Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation's leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being, and illness prevention. MHA advances the mental health and well-being of all people living in the U.S. through public education, research, advocacy and public policy, and direct service.

NAMI

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI works to educate, support, advocate, listen, and lead to improve the lives of people with mental illness and their loved ones.

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is a global nonprofit organization focused on improving the understanding, prevention and treatment of psychiatric and mental illnesses.

Trusted sites

Disease InfoSearch