Predicting clinical response in people at ultra-high risk of psychosis: a systematic and quantitative review

People at ultra-high risk (UHR) of psychosis have ∼30% chance of developing the illness within two years. A range of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions are now available but there is great individual variation in clinical response. Here we examine the evidence for clinically applicable predictors of clinical response in people at UHR of psychosis. We report that currently there are no reliable predictive markers that can be used to optimise treatment. We argue that there is an urgent need for a better understanding of why some people at UHR of psychosis benefit from a certain treatment whereas others do not. This information will help clinicians make more-effective treatment decisions, and improve long-term clinical outcomes in this population.