We are looking at how inflammation may be related to certain symptoms of schizophrenia, motivational deficits, and brain reward circuitry. We will be administering a single infusion of the the anti-inflammatory drug Infliximab in order to investigate this relationship.

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages 18-55
• Diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
• No substance dependence (including alcohol or other drugs)
• Live in Atlanta and are able to attend in-person study visits at Emory University

Once enrolled, this study involves:

• Prescreening (2-3 hours): diagnostic eligibility, behavioral/psychiatric assessments, CRP blood draw, urine drug screen, serum pregnancy test (if applicable)
• Screening (2-3 hours): behavioral/psychiatric assessments, physical, medical history, blood draw for safety labs, urine toxicology screen
• Visit 1 (5 hours): fMRI scan, behavioral testing/assessments, EKG, research blood draw, safety lab blood draw, urine drug screen, pregnancy test (if applicable)
• Visit 2 (5 hours): COVID swab, safety lab blood draw, urine drug screen, pregnancy test (if applicable), infusion of study drug (Infliximab) or placebo, behavioral testing/assessments (if not completed at previous visits)
• 24-hour follow-up (1-2 hours): adverse event assessment, safety lab blood draw, research blood draw, behavioral/psychiatric assessments
• 3-day follow-up (1-2 hours): adverse event assessment, safety lab blood draw, research blood draw, behavioral/psychiatric assessments
• 7-day follow-up (2-3 hours): adverse event assessment, safety lab blood draw, research blood draw, behavioral/psychiatric assessments
• 14-day follow-up (5 hours): fMRI scan, behavioral testing/assessments, safety lab blood draw, research blood draw, urine drug screen, pregnancy test (if applicable)
• (Optional) Lumbar Puncture (2 hours): lumbar puncture to collect cerebrospinal fluid, behavioral/psychiatric assessments
• Post-lumbar puncture (phone call/Zoom): adverse event assessment, one psychiatric assessment
• 1-month follow-up (phone call/Zoom): adverse event assessment, one psychiatric assessment

Compensation is provided up to $660 for your participation.

There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.