Overview of the First Annual Workshop on the Schizophrenia Prodrome

Abstract

The First Annual Workshop of the Schizophrenia Prodrome was held in New York City in April 2002. This workshop was organized to address many of the unique methodological issues and controversies facing researchers interested in early intervention and prevention. It brought together representatives of most of the prodromal research groups active at that time as well as a number of consultants. This report summarizes the five major topics discussed throughout the workshop: (1) vulnerability and risk factors, (2) developmental issues, (3) neuroimaging and cognition, (4) alternative prevention strategies, and (5) clinical trials. The outcome of this workshop included consensus on several research issues, recognition that continued discussion and research was needed on many others, the emergence of a spirit of collaboration and collegiality among participants, and the very enthusiastic generation of the articles that make up this special issue of the Schizophrenia Bulletin. Two additional results were the decision to hold similar workshops in the future and the formation of the International Prodromal Research Network to foster international multisite collaborations.