Brain imaging to understand cognitive issues in schizophrenia and depression
Brain Imaging of Cognition Inn Schizophrenia and Depression
This study is trying to see how brain imaging can help us understand the memory and thinking problems that people with schizophrenia or depression face in their daily lives.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ottawa, Ontario) |
| Trial ID | NCT04159662 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-65 with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or major depression who are stable on medication.
Not a fit: Patients with significant neurological disorders, recent substance abuse, or contraindications for MRI may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved interventions targeting cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia and depression.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies using fMRI to investigate cognitive deficits in psychiatric disorders have shown promising results, indicating that this approach is both relevant and potentially impactful.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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 this trial is running
Ottawa, Ontario
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.