Working closely with individuals living with serious mental illness through my role on an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team has given me a profound appreciation for both the challenges and possibilities that exist in psychiatric care. Every advancement — no matter how small — has the potential to significantly change the trajectory of someone’s life. That’s why I’m particularly excited about what appears to be the upcoming presentation of CT-155, Boehringer Ingelheim’s investigational prescription digital therapeutic (PDT), at this year's NEI Spring Congress.
Schizophrenia remains one of the most complex illnesses we treat. Traditional antipsychotic medications have greatly improved the management of positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. However, for many clients, significant cognitive impairments — including difficulties with memory, attention, executive functioning, and problem-solving — as well as negative symptoms like social withdrawal and diminished motivation, often persist even after stabilization. These symptoms are not merely "leftover" issues; they are often the greatest barriers to meaningful recovery, impacting clients' ability to work, build relationships, and maintain independence.
This is where CT-155 could be a game-changer.
Rather than focusing on controlling positive symptoms, CT-155 is designed to enhance cognitive and functional abilities through an evidence-based, software-driven platform. As an adjunctive treatment —prescribed alongside traditional medications — it represents a new frontier in treating the "invisible" but deeply disabling aspects of schizophrenia that historically have been much harder to address.
Although full trial results have not yet been published, Boehringer Ingelheim has shared preliminary information suggesting that early studies have demonstrated promising feasibility and engagement outcomes. Initial pilot data reportedly show that individuals with schizophrenia were able to consistently engage with the digital therapeutic, completing cognitive exercises and behavioral tasks designed to strengthen core mental skills.
Early feedback has indicated potential improvements in areas such as working memory, processing speed, and executive function — cognitive domains that are strongly linked to real-world outcomes like employment, social functioning, and independent living. Importantly, participants have tolerated the intervention well, suggesting that CT-155 could be integrated into care plans without adding significant burden — a critical consideration for our ACT population, where treatment fatigue is always a concern.
Boehringer’s development of CT-155 reflects a growing recognition within psychiatry that treating symptoms is not enough; we must aim to improve cognition, functioning, and overall quality of life if we are truly committed to recovery-oriented care.
Why This Matters to Me — and to Our Clients
In my daily work with the ACT team, I see firsthand how cognitive impairments and negative symptoms continue to limit opportunities for individuals living with schizophrenia. Medication alone, while essential, often leaves these deeper layers untouched. Clients may be psychiatrically “stable” but still struggle to plan a grocery trip, remember appointments, or engage meaningfully with their communities.
If CT-155 or similar tools can help even a portion of our clients regain cognitive confidence and functional abilities, the ripple effect could be enormous:
It’s about more than symptom management — it’s about giving people their lives back.
Having a prescription digital therapeutic integrated into psychiatric care also aligns perfectly with the ACT team philosophy: delivering personalized, wrap-around care that meets clients where they are and supports them in all areas of functioning.
Beyond CT-155 itself, it’s inspiring to see the broader momentum in psychiatric innovation. We're witnessing an unprecedented convergence of pharmacologic breakthroughs, digital therapeutics, and psychosocial models. The field is moving toward comprehensive care solutions that recognize the full complexity of mental illness — and the full humanity of the people we serve.
While more clinical data is needed before CT-155 can become a widespread treatment option, its development marks a crucial shift: one that acknowledges that recovery is multifaceted, and that cognition and function must be at the center of that conversation.
As someone deeply invested in helping individuals with schizophrenia achieve their fullest potential, I am truly excited about the possibilities. I'll be following the NEI Spring Congress closely to learn more about the upcoming research, clinical trial data, and real-world applications of CT-155.
Psychiatry is evolving — and with it, the hopes and futures of countless individuals who deserve every opportunity to thrive.
Schedule an appointment today to get diagnosed, receive a prescription, and continue your journey towards mental peace.
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