title: Early intervention in psychosis: Insights from Korea.
abstract: Subjects at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis have been the focus of clinical attention in psychiatry for the last 15 years, leading to the development of valid and reliable diagnostic instruments to detect these individuals early in the course of their illness. These efforts have resulted in research into optimal preventive measures. Our experiences at and data from the Seoul Youth Clinic support the validity of the CHR concept and its underlying neurobiological basis and provide valuable information related to the determination of appropriate clinical interventions. The limitations of the current criteria for CHR, such as the relatively low transition rates to psychosis and the "false-positive" problem, are also common critical issues in Korea. Additionally, concerns about social stigmatization and the potential side effects of pharmacotherapy render individuals at CHR reluctant to visit clinical settings. Therefore, further investigations using a combination of predictive markers based on clinical and neurobiological studies of those at CHR are needed to refine the diagnostic criteria, overcome their current limitations including ethical issues, and develop phase-specific and individualized therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences-WCU Program, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jun Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Byun
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Young
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Suk Kyoon
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: An
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062706:Prodromal Symptoms; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012306:Risk; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents