Exploring how social reward learning affects social pleasure in first-episode psychosis

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 clinical trial evaluates the connection between reduced sensitivity to social rewards and social anhedonia in individuals who have recently experienced their first episode of psychosis. Participants aged 18-35 will be randomized to receive either motivational interviewing or a control intervention, with their responses measured through social reward learning tasks performed in an fMRI scanner. The study aims to assess both behavioral and neural correlates of social reward sensitivity and subjective social pleasure. By understanding these relationships, the trial seeks to inform potential therapeutic approaches for enhancing social functioning in this population.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18-35 years
* A first episode of a psychotic illness that began within the past three years
* Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizophreniform, or schizoaffective disorder
* Taking 2nd generation antipsychotic medications
* Estimated premorbid IQ not less than 70 as assessed with the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading
* Appropriate for scanning (i.e., no pacemaker or metal implants) and expressed willingness to participate in scanning
* Sufficient fluency in English to comprehend testing procedures
* Corrected vision of at least 20/30

Exclusion Criteria:

* No evidence that substance use makes the diagnosis ambiguous (rule out substance-induced psychosis)
* No evidence of moderate or severe alcohol or substance use disorder in the past 3 months
* No clinically significant disease based on medical history (e.g., epilepsy) or significant head injury
* For females: no current pregnancy
* No sedatives or anxiolytics on the day of assessment
* No medication change 3 weeks prior to enrollment

Where it's running

• University of Alabama at Birmingham
  Birmingham, Alabama, United States Recruiting
• University of California Los Angeles
  Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Junghee Lee, PhD
• Email: jungheelee@uabmc.edu
• Phone: 205-934-8205

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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.