Understanding empathy in schizophrenia through brain activity markers
Study of Electrophysiological Markers Related to the Cognitive and Affective Processes Behind Empathic Behaviour in Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorder
NA · Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice · NCT04278339
This study is trying to see how brain activity relates to empathy in people with schizophrenia to help improve understanding and treatment of the condition.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Nice) |
| Trial ID | NCT04278339 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the cognitive and emotional processes underlying empathic behavior in individuals with schizophrenia. By utilizing electroencephalography to identify electrophysiological markers, the research aims to enhance understanding of social cognition disorders associated with schizophrenia. The study also explores the relationship between empathic disorders and the risk of developing schizophrenia, focusing on individuals with varying levels of schizotypic traits. The ultimate goal is to improve diagnosis and management of schizophrenia by identifying objective markers of vulnerability.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are right-handed individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who have a stabilized clinical state.
Not a fit: Patients currently hospitalized or those with significant recent changes in treatment may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools and management strategies for individuals with schizophrenia.
How similar studies have performed: While the exploration of electrophysiological markers in schizophrenia is an emerging field, similar studies have shown promise in understanding cognitive deficits associated with the disorder.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Common to all: good command of the French language, right-handed. * Specific to patients: diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, clinical state stabilized according to the treating psychiatrist. Exclusion Criteria: * Common to all: having suffered a head injury with loss of consciousness lasting more than 5 minutes, participating in another project at the time of the present study, presenting an addiction to a toxic substance (excluding tobacco), presenting a mental retardation or neurological disorder (verified by a pre-recruitment interview and the administration of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for control subjects and on the basis of the information in the medical file for patients). * Patient-specific: significant change (according to the doctor) in treatment in the previous month, currently hospitalized. * Specific to controls: taking a psychoactive drug, having a mental disorder, being first-degree related to a patient with a disorder other than schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
Where this trial is running
Nice
- Hôpital Pasteur - Service de Psychiatrie — Nice, France (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Bruno GIORDANA, PH
- Email: giordana.b@chu-nice.fr
- Phone: 4.92.03.87.75
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.
Conditions: Schizophrenia