Glossary

Everyday terms

CHR-P / UHR

Clinical high-risk / ultra-high-risk — research constructs identifying people with elevated risk of transitioning to psychosis relative to the general population. Not a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Attenuated psychotic symptoms

Subthreshold psychotic-like experiences that may occur in CHR-P states; presence does not mean psychosis is inevitable.

Transition to psychosis

Conversion from a high-risk state to a frank psychotic disorder under study definitions. Rates vary by enrichment and setting.

NWPT-SM32300

NWPharmaTech’s investigational 300 mg CBD micellar-emulsion softgel. The proposed CHR-P programme would evaluate its effects on symptoms and functioning. Investigational — not an approved CHR-P medicine; effectiveness in this population has not been established.

Pharmaceutical sponsor

The organisation accountable for clinical development, safety and regulatory strategy for a study programme. Here: NWPharmaTech.

DeSci (as used here)

Exploring decentralised-science tools and new capital communities to support research financing — without giving community votes over clinical decisions.

Trial-design terms

Proof of concept (PoC)

An early clinical study designed to test whether a candidate shows a meaningful signal on pre-specified endpoints — not automatically a prevention trial.

Bioavailability (BA)

How much and how quickly a substance reaches the bloodstream. BA comparisons are not efficacy proof in CHR-P.

Estimand

A precise description of the treatment effect a trial aims to estimate (who, what outcome, under what conditions).

Separately powered

Designed with enough participants and follow-up to answer a specific primary question (for example prevention/delay of transition) on its own — not assumed from a shorter symptom study.

Cannabinoid terms

Used on the Understanding cannabinoids pages.

Cannabis

The plant and, in everyday usage, preparations made from it. Preparations vary widely in composition.

Cannabinoid

A compound in this area of pharmacology, such as CBD or THC. Cannabinoids do not all have the same effects.

CBD (cannabidiol)

A cannabinoid that does not produce the THC-like high. Non-intoxicating does not mean inactive or risk-free.

THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)

A cannabinoid that activates the cannabinoid receptor CB1 in cell experiments and, in experiments in people, impaired memory and produced temporary psychotic symptoms.

Endocannabinoid system

Signalling molecules made by the body (endocannabinoids, such as anandamide and 2-AG), receptors such as CB1 and CB2, and enzymes involved in making and breaking down the signals.

CB1 receptor

A cannabinoid receptor. In cell experiments, THC and 2-AG activated CB1 signalling, and CBD reduced that signalling. These are laboratory findings, not clinical effects.

Negative allosteric modulation

A laboratory term: a compound binds a receptor at a different site and reduces the receptor’s response to other signals. A laboratory finding is not a clinical effect.

Formulation

The way ingredients are prepared and delivered, such as an oral solution, spray or capsule. Formulation, route and food can change exposure.

Licensed medicine

A particular product with an authorisation covering specified uses and conditions. The authorisation does not extend to other products containing the same compound.

Unlicensed medicinal product

A product supplied for medicinal use through a specific framework without a marketing authorisation for that use.

Investigational medicine

A product being studied in trials. Trial activity does not itself establish benefit.