Researchers from Kings College London are looking to involve people with lived experience to join a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) group to steer the design and delivery of their new research study. The study is looking to better understand what might lead to difficulties in attention, thinking and memory in young people who are at risk of developing psychosis.
What is the study?
People at higher risk of developing psychosis have shown differences in a part of the brain called the hippocampus, including increased activity. This increased activity may be associated with difficulties in attention, thinking and memory (cognition). They will use brain imaging, using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), to test if a single dose of a medication called levetiracetam (which is commonly used for epilepsy) can help reduce the increased activity in the hippocampus and improve cognition in young people who are at risk of developing psychosis. The study is funded by Wellcome Trust.
They are looking for:
- They are looking for people who have lived experience of mental health issues, including: psychosis, being identified as at risk of developing psychosis, having unusual experiences such as hearing voices or paranoia, or having a family member with these experiences.
- You must be located in the UK (ideally able to come to in person meetings in London, but this is not compulsory).
- Able to access the internet if not able to attend in person.
- Aged 16 or over.
Expected commitment from participants:
The lived-experience group will aim to be an open, inclusive and reflective space that will allow members to share their knowledge and expertise. This will directly inform the research they will be conducting and the sharing of results following this.
The role will involve:
- Attending group meetings up to 2-3 times per year (these will be flexible to your commitments and can be online or in person at a King’s College London campus)
- Reading information and receiving updates about the study.
- Share you views on the study.
- Optional written feedback online and 1:1 drop-in sessions.
- You will never be asked to talk about or disclose anything you do not feel comfortable with.
- They are aiming for the PPIE group meetings to begin in February-March 2024 and continue until September 2026 at frequency of 2-3 meetings per year. You can still be involved if you cannot commit to all of these meetings.
Commitment to inclusion:
- The timing and location of the meetings will be flexible to fit in with your commitments
- Able to access online if unable to attend in person meetings
- At the end of each meeting, everyone will have a 10 minute debrief with each other to reflect upon the meeting. Optional 1:1 conversations to discuss any concerns will also be offered.
- We will offer accessible formats for any documents you are asked to review.
Closing date to apply:
February 29th 2024 at 17:00
If you have any questions or if you need any help completing your expression of interest please get in touch with Abbie on abigail.gee@kcl.ac.uk.
We are happy to receive other forms of expression of interest such as video recording, audio recording or an online meeting.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email abigail.gee@kcl.ac.uk with brief answers to the following questions:
- What is your name?
- What is your age?
- Are you based in the UK?
- Why are you interested in this specific opportunity?
- Please give details of any relevant experience
- Sometimes after talking about topics like mental health, people feel they need a little extra support or someone to chat to. What support do you currently have in place (e.g. supportive friends, family, health professionals or mental health charities)?
- Is there anything that King’s College London (KCL) could do to support you or make your involvement experience better?
- How did you hear about this opportunity?
The post Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) group member for a new study looking at what might lead to difficulties in attention and memory in people in the early stages of psychosis (LEVHIPPRO). appeared first on Shaping Our Lives.