Exploring social dysfunction in schizophrenia through brain activity

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 investigates the mechanisms of social dysfunction in individuals with schizophrenia by examining the relationship between disorganized communication and social interaction. Participants will engage in structured social interactions while undergoing dual-brain EEG hyperscanning to measure neural and behavioral synchrony. The study aims to identify measurable markers of disorganized communication and link them to clinical symptoms and social functioning, focusing on aspects such as motor imitation and verbal coherence.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. English or French-speaking participants (as dyads matched for language preference).
2. Ages 18-60 years.
3. Patients meeting the operational criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective illness as previously diagnosed by their treating psychiatrist, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) 5 criteria (Zipursky et al., 2020).
4. Patients with less than 5 years of illness onset, based on the time of starting treatment with antipsychotic medication.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participants should not have a primary diagnosis of Alcohol or Drug abuse or addiction (however, co-morbid substance abuse with a primary diagnosis of psychotic disorder is not an exclusion criterion).
2. Participants should not have a severe medical disorder that would explain psychotic symptoms.
3. Participants should not have a past or current history of a primary neurological disorder that can affect speech output
4. Participants with IQ below 70 or a concurrent pervasive developmental disorder (e.g., autism) will also be excluded.

Where it's running

• Douglas Mental Health University Institute
  Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Lena Palaniyappan, MD, PhD — Douglas Mental Health University Institute
• Study coordinator: Emmanuel Olarewaju, PhD Candidate
• Email: emmanuel.olarewaju@mail.mcgill.ca
• Phone: 5147616131

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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.