The European First-Episode Schizophrenia Network.

delegates from 16 European countries; that, delegates from 16 European countries; that, and the previous two meetings, were sup-and the previous two meetings, were supported generously by an educational grant ported generously by an educational grant from AstraZeneca. This report is from a from AstraZeneca. This report is from a meeting of the EFESN held in Whistler meeting of the EFESN held in Whistler BC, Canada in April 2001. BC, Canada in April 2001. The EFESN is in principle an informal The EFESN is in principle an informal network of clinical scientists who are network of clinical scientists who are active researchers in the area of first-active researchers in the area of first-episode psychosis and schizophrenia. Its episode psychosis and schizophrenia. Its aims are to exchange information and en-aims are to exchange information and encourage European collaborations. Such courage European collaborations. Such collaborations are potentially important collaborations are potentially important for epidemiological studies as well as for for epidemiological studies as well as for the identification of comparatively uncom-the identification of comparatively uncommon cases within the first-episode frame-mon cases within the first-episode framework , work, such as multiplex families and such as multiplex families and very early-onset cases. The network also very early-onset cases. The network also exists to try to standardise some of the exists to try to standardise some of the assessment procedures used in first-assessment procedures used in first-episode schizophrenia, including clinical episode schizophrenia, including clinical assessments and imaging protocols. assessments and imaging protocols. It has long been realised that the collec-It has long been realised that the collection of first-episode cases in a comprehen-tion of first-episode cases in a comprehensive way is important not only for sive way is important not only for incidence studies but also for outcome incidence studies but also for outcome studies and studies of biological variables, studies and studies of biological variables, such as imaging parameters, which are such as imaging parameters, which are open to bias from the study of selected open to bias from the study of selected patient groups. By and large, European patient groups. By and large, European mental health care systems lend themselves mental health care systems lend themselves to this epidemiological approach. The study to this epidemiological approach. The study of risk factors for schizophrenia depends of risk factors for schizophrenia depends largely on epidemiological pre-psychotic largely on epidemiological pre-psychotic or incident cohorts, and the …