Protocol Number: 95-M-0150

Title:

A Neurobiological Investigation of Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Their Siblings

Number:

95-M-0150

Summary:

This large ongoing study at NIMH investigates the neurobiology of schizophrenia by identifying susceptibility genes, evaluating their impact on brain function to better understand how to treat and prevent this illness.

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

Patients with schizophrenia, their biological siblings and their parents will be recruited through families of current or former patients at NIMH and physician and community organization referrals, The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), and other sources both locally and nationally.

To be eligible for this research study, patients must be between the ages of 18 and 55 and have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, psychosis N.O.S., or schizophreniform disorder.

To be eligible for this research study, siblings should be between 18 and 55, and have no major medical problems that may affect their brain including mental retardation or suffering from organic brain damage or neurological disease and have no significant history of alcoholism or substance abuse. Siblings that do not qualify for the 2-day or 1-day study, they may participate in the limited phenotyping arm or be included in as part of a trio (one parent, one sibling, one patient). All parents are eligible for the study.

To be eligible for this research study, healthy volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 55. They will not be eligible if they have history of major medical problems that may affect their brain or if they have abused illicit drugs or alcohol for a significant amount of time. They may not be eligible for the extended part of the study if they have a first-degree relative with history of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. However, they may be included in the case control analyses and the limited phenotyping arm.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Persons who are mentally retarded, who suffer from organic brain damage, neurological disease, or have a significant history of alcoholism or substance abuse will not be included in the 2-day or 1-day study

Special Instructions:

CALL: Any interested family members can call 1-888-674-6464 and discuss their family situation and learn more about the study during a confidential phone call with the Sibling Study Social Worker.

APPLY: If the study seems suitable for interested siblings, the social worker will mail applications to the family.

FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH FAMILY: There is usually a number of questions that arise and family members are encouraged to call to resolve any questions or concerns that arise.

ACCEPTANCE ESTABLISHED: Once the application material are received and reviewed by the research team, the intake social worker will let the family know whether or not they are accepted.

FAMILY SCHEDULE: The assigned social worker will work with the family to select the week during the year that is most convenient for their participation.

PRE-PAID TRANSPORTATION & LODGING ARRANGED: Once a participation date is set, then transportation and lodging accommodations are arranged. They are pre-paid by NIMH.

GREETED BY NIMH ASSISTANT: NIMH coordinates the transportation to the NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD., where they will be greeted by an assigned staff member. The staff will review the research again with the siblings and answer any remaining questions they might have before they sign the consent form.

TWO DAYS OF PARTICIPATION: The research assistant will introduce the participants to each researcher who will engage them in the research activities that take place in the outpatient clinic.

TRANSPORTATION HOME: Participants complete testing at approximately 3:00 the second day and return home.

PAYMENT: Once the testing is completed, a payment voucher is filled out. The participants will receive their check in the mail.

Keywords:

Paranoia

Schizophrenic Research

Hallucinations

Delusions

Brain Scans

Negative Symptoms

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Causes of Schizophrenia

Psychosis and Schizophrenia

Compensation

Recruitment Keyword(s):

Schizophrenia

Schizoaffective Disorder

Psychosis

Manic-Depression

Condition(s):

Psychotic Disorder

Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizophrenia

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Intervention(s):

None

Supporting Site:

National Institute of Mental Health

Contact(s):

CBDB
National Institutes of Health
Building 10
Room 1377
10 Center Drive
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Phone: (301) 435-8970
Fax: (301) 402-5503
Electronic Address: schizophrenia@intra.nimh.nih.gov

Citation(s):

Genetic principles and methods in high-risk studies of schizophrenia

Impaired attention, genetics, and the pathology of schizophrenia

Deviant eye tracking in twins discodant for psychosis

• Questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
• Technical questions regarding the Clinical Center web site, please contact the Department of Clinical Research Informatics, CC.

Search The Studies | Help | Questions |
Clinical Center Home | NIH Home

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 01/30/2009