Schizophrenia Research Study
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham want to learn more about the mechanisms underlying the lack of interest in pursuing social interactions that some individuals experience alongside psychosis.
Fast Facts
Diagnosed with Schizophrenia and Have Experienced First Episode of Psychosis in the Last 2 Years
Ages 18-35
Taking Second-Generation (Atypical) Antipsychotic Medication (e.g., Olanzapine, Clozapine, Ziprasidone)
Compensation Provided
Conducted in Birmingham, AL
Study Background
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham want to learn more about social anhedonia in psychosis.
Social anhedonia refers to an inability to feel pleasure in interpersonal relationships and/or a lack of interest in pursuing social interactions. Although social anhedonia is frequent in psychosis, researchers still do not understand the underlying mechanisms in the brain.
In this study, we aim to identify and validate behavioral tasks that can reliably engage brain regions related to social anhedonia in psychosis. Our hope is that by contributing new insight to the current understanding of social anhedonia, we can help support the development of future innovative psychiatric treatments.
Study Background
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham want to learn more about social anhedonia in psychosis.
Social anhedonia refers to an inability to feel pleasure in interpersonal relationships and/or a lack of interest in pursuing social interactions. Although social anhedonia is frequent in psychosis, researchers still do not understand the underlying mechanisms in the brain.
In this study, we aim to identify and validate behavioral tasks that can reliably engage brain regions related to social anhedonia in psychosis. Our hope is that by contributing new insight to the current understanding of social anhedonia, we can help support the development of future innovative psychiatric treatments.
Additional Information
Through this research, we hope to learn more about the mechanisms of social anhedonia in psychosis. In the long-term, this information could help researchers improve psychiatric care for social anhedonia.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ages 18-35
- Diagnosed with schizophrenia and have experienced first episode of psychosis in the last 2 years
- Taking antipsychotic medication (e.g., Olanzapine, Clozapine, Ziprasidone)
- No history of problematic drug or alcohol use in the past 6 months
- No medication changes in the last 3 weeks
- Was not intoxicated with alcohol during the first episode
- No other significant diseases or conditions
- If female, not pregnant
- Able to undergo MRI scan (no metal in the body, no claustrophobia)
- Taking atypical antipsychotic medication
- Willing to abstain from taking sedatives or anxiolytics during the study
First, participants will come in-person to complete a clinical interview followed by a series of behavioral tasks, rating interviews, and questionnaires. During a separate visit, they will undergo an MRI scan, which will last approximately 75 minutes and involve performing behavioral tasks while in the scanner. Following this visit, participants will take part in 3 structured training sessions over a 2-week period, followed by a final in-person visit at which they will complete additional questionnaires, rating interviews, a cognitive task, and another MRI session.
Participants will be compensated at a rate of $25/hour, for a total of up to $363 over the course of the study.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
