Brain imaging to understand cognitive issues in schizophrenia and depression

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study uses Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to explore the cognitive deficits experienced by individuals with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or major depression. Participants will attend three visits at The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, where they will complete questionnaires and cognitive tasks before undergoing an fMRI scan. The aim is to identify the brain mechanisms associated with cognitive problems such as memory and emotional regulation, which significantly impact patients' daily functioning. The study seeks to enhance understanding of how these cognitive deficits persist even after other symptoms are managed.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* age 18-60 years
* current Intelligence Quotient (IQ) \> 70 as measured by the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI)
* the ability to read and speak fluent English
* a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective or major depression disorder
* stable medication for more than one month

Exclusion Criteria:

* significant neurological or other medical disorders that may produce cognitive impairment
* a recent history of substance abuse or dependence (within the past 3 months)
* any magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contraindications (e.g. metallic head implant, history of seizure, pacemaker)
* decisional incapacity requiring a guardian
* taking medications that are rated as Anticholinergic Burden (ACB) Score 3 (severe) or taking benzodiazepines on a daily basis
* Finally, participants could not be severely symptomatic at the time of study enrolment to ensure that they could understand and complete all study assessments. This criterion was defined as a score ≤34 on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS; Montgomery \& Åsberg, 1979) for the MDD group and a score ≤95 on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS; Kay et al., 1987) for the SZ group.

Where it's running

• Royal Ottawa Mental Health Center
  Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Synthia Guimond, PhD — Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
• Study coordinator: Synthia Guimond, PhD
• Email: Synthia.Guimond@theroyal.ca
• Phone: 6137226521

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Cognitive Tasks and Models in a Large Online Sample

  This study tests cognitive tasks and computational models in a large online group to see if these tools can help predict symptoms like hallucinations and delusions in the general population.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Washington University School of Medicine · Minneapolis, Minnesota and 1 other locations · NCT07900893

• Understanding how the orbitofrontal cortex guides approach vs. avoidance in depression

  This study tests how different parts of the orbitofrontal cortex influence whether people pursue rewards or risk loss, and whether this pattern is altered in Major Depressive Disorder.

  Recruiting University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, California · NCT07896343

• French Minds: a French, Multimodal Cohort Study of Severe Psychiatric Disorders and Healthy Controls

  This study tests whether people with mood, psychotic, or autism disorders can be grouped into more similar subtypes based on social withdrawal and anhedonia, across ages 15 to 60.

  Recruiting at 10 sites Fondation FondaMental · Besançon and 16 other locations · NCT07881016

• Health education program to help depression in older adults and caregivers in Ho Chi Minh City

  A community-based education program for people 60+ and their caregivers is being tested to see if it can lower depression and improve quality of life compared with standard care.

  Recruiting University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City · Ho Chi Minh City, Cho Lon · NCT07877571

• Prucalopride for low mood: testing a 5-HT4 receptor activator for cognition and sleep

  This study tests whether prucalopride, a 5-HT4 receptor drug, can improve thinking and sleep in adults with low mood or major depressive disorder compared to a placebo.

  Recruiting University of Oxford · Oxford, Oxfordshire · NCT07848477

• Pre-visit Companion Brief: a primary care AI-assisted check for depression and anxiety

  This pilot tests an AI-powered pre-visit assessment that creates a concise Companion Brief for clinicians to help identify depression and anxiety during routine primary care.

  Recruiting Singula Health, Inc. · Brentwood, New York and 1 other locations · NCT07834684

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.