The International Working Group on Basic Symptoms has been formed by academics from several European countries to promote research into basic symptoms, in particular in psychoses. First proposed in the 1960s by Gerd Huber, basic symptoms are subtle, self-experienced disturbances of affective, perceptual and cognitive processes. In particular, a subgroup of cognitive and perceptive basic symptoms has become an essential part in the early detection of psychosis. Yet, basic symptoms are not restricted to the early phases but an integral part of psychotic disorders.

One of the main goals of the International Working Group on Basic Symptoms is to promote further research and application of basic symptoms as a tool to understand the origin and causes of psychoses. In particular, the group-members share an interest in using basic symptoms for the early identification and diagnosis of young people with a clinical high-risk for the development of psychosis. For researchers and clinicians interested in the basic symptoms, we will provide an overview and update on publications, trainings in their assessment and a forum for using basic symptoms instruments for clinical and research questions.

Early stages of psychosis and possible applications of basic symptoms (acc. to doi:10.1155/2014/365283)