Schizophrenia Family Study: Collaborative Biological Research in Schizophrenia

Contact name: Anne Gibbs, MSN

Phone: (617)-855-3586

Fax: (617)-855-2778

Email: atgibbs@mclean.harvard.edu

Disorder: Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar I disorder with psychotic features

Geographic location: Belmont, Massachusetts

Other keywords:

Participant compensation: $100.00

Time commitment required: 8 hours divided into several conveniently scheduled appointments.

Drug trial: No

Recruitment end date (approximate): August 26, 2006

Study criteria (i.e., age or gender requirements):
Diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizo-affective illness or bipolar I disorder with psychotic features; age 18-55 years, male or female, English must be the first language. Family members of individuals with schizophrenia, schizo-affective illness or bipolar I disorder with psychotic features.

Exclusion criteria:
Neurologic disorder (seizure, stroke, brain surgery, Parkinson's disease); serious head injury, loss of consciousness; alcohol or drug abuse/dependence within two years of participation in the study.

Brief description of study:
This is a family study that examines the genetic contributions to schizophrenia by examining traits that are found in both schizophrenics and their healthy relatives. In the study, participants (patients, and their relatives) perform a variety of tasks such as watching a dot go back and forth across a computer screen; having an interview about health, psychiatric symptoms, substance use and family history; looking at ink blots and describing what you see; having aspects of your face measured and photographed; filling out a true and false questionnaire; giving information about date and place of birth, education, marital status, medications and handedness. A small sample of blood is obtained for DNA analysis. This study does not involve pain or risk. No medications are given and there are no changes in ongoing treatment. All information is kept strictly confidential.

Additional information:
We are especially interested in recruiting patients whose first degree relatives may also be willing to participate. Relatives undergo all the same procedures as the patients and are also paid $100.00 to participate.