Researchers from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and Nanyang Technological University's Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine identified proteomic blood biomarkers capable of predicting the development of psychosis in at-risk Asian youth in Singapore [1, 2]. The study reported a prediction model based on blood protein patterns that achieved 96% accuracy through tailored algorithms [1, 2].
Psychosis symptoms typically emerge from adolescence to early adulthood and include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking [1, 2]. In Singapore, about one in 43 individuals aged 18 and over has been diagnosed with psychosis or schizophrenia at some point in their life [1, 2].
Current diagnosis mainly relies on clinical assessments and behavioral observations, which can be challenging since early warning signs are vague and develop slowly [1, 2]. Associate Professor Jimmy Lee explained that certain subtle behaviors—like hearing voices that are "softer, milder, not so severe, not so frequent" or having unusual experiences—may signal higher psychosis risk before full symptoms appear [1].
The study used data from the Longitudinal Youth At Risk Study (LYRIKS), initiated in 2008 in Singapore, which has been following 173 youths aged 14 to 29 [1, 2]. Of these, 65 individuals were identified as ultra-high risk for psychosis, and 13 (about 20%) developed psychosis during a two-year follow-up period [1, 2].
The blood biomarkers revealed biological changes common across ethnic groups, including signs of immune system dysregulation [1, 2]. However, researchers emphasized that clinical application of blood tests will require larger global validation studies to confirm findings before widespread use [1, 2].
Future research aims to combine protein tracking with genetic data and artificial intelligence methods to improve mental health outcomes and enhance early prediction models [1, 2].
