Social isolation and aging in people with schizophrenia

The Impact of Social Isolation on Aging Health in Schizophrenia

This project will test whether long-term social isolation helps explain faster physical aging in people aged 40–70 with schizophrenia who took part in earlier research.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 650 (estimated)
• Ages: 40 Years to 70 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Academic / other)
• Locations: 4 sites (Hartford, Connecticut and 3 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07419321 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational project uses an accelerated longitudinal design that combines data collected when participants were 20–55 with new follow-up assessments now that they are 40–70. Participants must have a DSM-IV or DSM-5 schizophrenia-spectrum diagnosis, be clinically stable, and have enrolled in a prior study at least five years earlier. Researchers will measure social contact, clinical features, and physical-health markers linked to accelerated aging to examine their long-term relationships. No treatments are given; data collection occurs at participating sites in the US and Europe.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are clinically stable adults aged 40–70 with a DSM-IV or DSM-5 schizophrenia-spectrum diagnosis who participated in a related research study at least five years earlier and can complete assessments in the site's language.

Not a fit: People with purely substance-induced psychosis, a history of serious head injury, a developmental disability or IQ below 70, or those unable to attend follow-up visits are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify social isolation as a modifiable contributor to premature physical illness, pointing to targets for interventions to improve health and lifespan in people with schizophrenia.

How similar studies have performed: Population studies have linked social isolation to worse physical health and shorter lifespan, but long-term accelerated-aging analyses focused specifically on schizophrenia remain relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion and exclusion criteria for participants with SZ:

* DSM-IV or V diagnosis of a SZ related disorder (295.x, 297.1, 298.8, or 298.9; e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, but not psychotic disorder that is solely substance induced) based on clinical interview;
* Between 40 and 70 years of age at time of study recruitment;
* Participant was enrolled in a previous research study between the ages of 20-55, and this study took place at least 5 years ago;
* Able to understand the spoken language of the participating country sufficiently to comprehend testing procedures;
* No history of serious head injury (i.e., loss of consciousness longer than 1 hour, no neuropsychological sequelae, no cognitive rehabilitation treatment post head injury);
* No history of IQ \< 70, or developmental disability based on chart review;
* Clinically stable (i.e., no inpatient hospitalizations for three months prior to enrollment, no changes in medication in the four weeks prior to enrollment;

The inclusion and exclusion criteria for sibling participants in this study will be:

* No history of any DSM IV/V Axis I or axis II diagnosis that is known to be associated with social functioning (e.g. severe mood disorder, schizoaffective personality disorder, autism spectrum disorder);
* Between 40 and 70 years of age at time of study recruitment;;
* Participant was enrolled in a previous research study between the ages of 20-55, and this study took place at least 5 years ago;
* Able to understand the spoken language of the participating country sufficiently to comprehend testing procedures;
* No history of serious head injury (i.e., loss of consciousness longer than 1 hour, no neuropsychological sequelae, no cognitive rehabilitation treatment post head injury);
* No history of IQ \< 70, or developmental disability based on chart review;
* Clinically stable (i.e., no inpatient hospitalizations for three months prior to enrollment, no changes in medication in the four weeks prior to enrollment

Where this trial is running

Hartford, Connecticut and 3 other locations

• Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, Hartfort — Hartford, Connecticut, United States (Recruiting)
• AUMC, University Hospital — Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands (Recruiting)
• Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon — Madrid, Spain (Recruiting)
• King's College London — London, United Kingdom (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Abraham Reichenberg — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Study coordinator: Eva Velthorst, PhD

Conditions Schizophrenia and Related Disorders; schizophrenia; psychosis; social isolation; physical health; longitudinal trajectory; siblings