Hallucinations, Schizoaffective Disorder, Schizophrenia
Conditions
Keywords
psychotic disorders, auditory hallucinations, brain structure, psychiatric disorder with auditory hallucinations (at least one every 20 minutes), schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder without auditory hallucinations
Brief summary
The goal of the project is to characterize abnormalities in brain structure and function related to schizophrenia. The investigators will use advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to measure the degree and distribution of neuronal activity during specific cognitive tasks, alterations in neuronal connectivity, and how these are related to disease symptoms and treatment.
Detailed description
The goal of the project is to characterize abnormalities in brain structure and function related to schizophrenia. We will use advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to measure the degree and distribution of neuronal activity during specific cognitive tasks, alterations in neuronal connectivity, and how these are related to disease symptoms and treatment. We will focus on changes in brain structure and function associated with frequent auditory hallucinations, one of the most disabling manifestations of schizophrenia, and with neuroleptic treatment. In order to address these aims, we will study four groups of subjects: 1. patients who have frequent auditory hallucinations, 2. patients who are beginning a regimen of anti-psychotic medication, 3. patients who do not have frequent hallucinations and are not changing medication strategies, and 4. age-matched normal controls. Each group will contain 15 subjects for a total of 60.
Interventions
DEVICEfunctional magnetic resonance imaging
Sponsors
National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
Vanderbilt University
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Investigators will study subjects who: * Are between the ages of 18 and 65. * Meet diagnostic criteria for any psychiatric disorder with auditory hallucinations (at least one every 20 minutes) including schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder OR schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder without auditory hallucinations. * Have been treated with an antipsychotic drug for hallucinations at least three months or are unmedicated * Are willing to change their current antipsychotic medication if indicated * Are able to provide written consent Normal controls must : * Be between the ages of 18 and 65 * Not meet the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder or other psychiatric disorder involving hallucinations * Not currently be treated with an antipsychotic drug * Be able to provide written consent
Exclusion criteria
Subjects and normal controls will be excluded from participation if there is: * Evidence of non-psychiatric, chronic central nervous system (CNS) disease (such as brain injury or neurological disease) * Contraindication to MRI, including prior claustrophobic reaction and severe movement disorder * A recent change in menstrual status other than recent changes in oral or implanted contraceptive use (for females) * A positive pregnancy result (for females)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| characterize abnormalities in brain structure and function related to schizophrenia | two scans over a six month period |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed