Protocol Number: 84-M-0050

Title:

Biochemical, Physiological, and Psychological Measures in Normal Controls and Relatives of Psychiatric Patients

Number:

84-M-0050

Summary:

A study of children and adolescents (current N=48) with very early onset by age 12 (COS) of DSM-III-R defined schizophrenia with (97-M-0126) is examining the clinical, neurobiological, early neurodevelopmental, genetic, and clinical drug response characteristics of these cases. Earlier studies have documented the continuity between COS and adult onset cases (See Jacobsen and Rapoport, 1998 for review). The focus has now shifted to increasing the sample size and evaluation of familial risk factors including: psychiatric diagnoses of family members; smooth pursuit eye movements; neuropsychological tests deficits, and obtaining blood for cell lines for genetic studies (family members only, this is also covered under 96-M-0060, Dr. Ellen Sidransky).

A study of obstetrical records of COS probands indicated no increase in adverse pre or perinatal events for these cases compared with obstetrical records of their siblings (Nicolson et al submitted). In contrast, several findings point to increased risk for these probands. To date, a total of 5 (10.4%) COS subjects were found to have previously unknown cytogenetic abnormalities (Microdeletion of 22q11 (3 cases), (Usiskin et al, submitted), Mosaic 45X0 (one case) (Kumra et al, 1998) and balanced 1:7 translocation (Gordon et al 1994).

The study of first degree relatives of these very rare cases addresses the hypothesis that risk factors, most probably genetic, are increased in immediate family members relative both to community controls and to the relatives of patients with chronic, treatment resistant, adult-onset schizophrenia (AOS). A second hypothesis is that COS familial risk factors show significant relationship to the developmental delays/abnormalities being observed in the COS probands. As a total of 50 additional COS subjects will be studied over the next 5 years, the pediatric control sample for the probands will also be increased, determined by the need to have concurrent measures for patients and controls to maintain measurement validity. Thus a total of 600 additional subjects are to be studied including 50 controls for COS probands, 150 COS relatives, 150 controls for COS relatives, and 250 relatives of adult onset schizophrenics (AOS).

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Participants currently recruited/enrolled

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: No

Population Exclusion(s): None

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Inclusion criteria for healthy controls will continue to be:

Ages 6-70.

Evidence of normal developmental history and normal functioning.

Inclusion criteria for relatives of probands will continue to be:

Ages 6-65.

Evidence of blood relationship to proband with a disorder under study, with usual selection of first-degree relatives.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Exclusion criteria for community controls are:

Evidence of medical or neurological disease.

Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder ?--? or in first degree relatives by history, clinical interview, or by structured, diagnostic psychiatric interview (Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents-IV).

Exclusion criteria for relatives of probands:

Absence of consent on the part of the proband or parent(s) of proband to contact relatives.

Absence of signed consent or assent by relative(s) to participate.

Special Instructions:

This is not a treatment protocol.

Keywords:

Normal Controls

Psychophysiological

Neuropsychological

Biochemical

Psychological Measures

Immunological

Physiology

Eye Movements

Family Studies

Schizophrenia

Recruitment Keyword(s):

None

Condition(s):

Healthy

Schizophrenia

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Intervention(s):

None

Supporting Site:

National Institute of Mental Health

Contact(s):

Maureen Tobin
National Institutes of Health
Building 10
Room 4C110
10 Center Drive
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Phone: (301) 435-4518
Fax: (301) 480-8898
Electronic Address: adair@box-a.nih.gov

Citation(s):

Implication of right frontostriatal circuitry in response inhibition and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Pubertal development and onset of psychosis in childhood onset schizophrenia

Autonomic nervous system markers of psychopathology inchildhood-onset schizophrenia

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