# Energy Metabolism Markers of Cognitive Function in Early Psychosis and Risk

> **NIH NIH K23** · MCLEAN HOSPITAL · 2021 · $193,139

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
Background: Evidence points to the importance of early intervention in psychotic disorders to alter illness
trajectory and disability. As cognitive deficits and poor functioning are not adequately targeted with current
treatment, there is an urgent need to investigate underlying mechanisms of these deficits in early psychosis
and risk for psychosis. This K23 application proposes a career development program that incorporates
rigorous training with an innovative research agenda aimed at identifying early intervention targets for cognitive
deficits in early psychotic illness. Candidate: I am an Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a
psychiatrist specialized in the care of patients with first episode psychosis in the OnTrack Program at McLean
Hospital. I am a graduate of the Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Psychiatry Residency and
completed the NIMH T32 Clinical Research Training Program at Harvard Medical School. I have a clinical
research background in first episode psychosis and high risk for psychosis. This K23 award will provide me
with the support necessary to become an expert in patient-oriented research in psychotic disorders and
develop an independent clinical research career. Research: Preliminary evidence shows that energy
metabolism is dysfunctional in individuals with first episode psychosis and those at high risk for psychosis. As
the human brain is highly metabolically active, metabolic abnormalities may play a key role in the emergence
of neuronal dysfunction in psychotic disorders. The proposed research will use 31P magnetic resonance
spectroscopy (MRS), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and metabolic measures to determine the
impact of bioenergetic and insulin abnormalities on cognitive function in patients with first episode psychosis
and their unaffected siblings over the course of one-year follow-up. Career development and future program
of research: I am proposing to acquire training in the areas of: 1) Cognitive neuroscience, including fMRI;
2) Metabolic signaling in the brain; and 3) Statistical methods for longitudinal data analysis. These goals will be
accomplished by formal coursework and mentorship by an exceptionally-qualified team of scientists who are
internationally-recognized leaders in research directly relevant to the proposal. Completion of the proposed
research and training aims will enable the design of a large-scale longitudinal R01 study aimed at modulating
energy metabolism to improve cognition and functioning in early psychosis, while mapping casual pathways
using multimodal imaging and metabolic methodology. This K23 proposal will provide the training needed for
my development as an independent investigator focused on identifying early intervention targets for cognitive
deficits across trajectories of risk and early psychosis. It will provide the foundation for a program of research
facilitating the development of personalized clinical interventions to alt...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10242716
- **Project number:** 5K23MH121781-03
- **Recipient organization:** MCLEAN HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Virginie-Anne Chouinard
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $193,139
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-10 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10242716

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10242716, Energy Metabolism Markers of Cognitive Function in Early Psychosis and Risk (5K23MH121781-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10242716. Licensed CC0.

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