Social Cognition in Youth Who Have a First Degree Relative With Schizophrenia (NCT04681807) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Social Cognition in Youth Who Have a First Degree Relative With Schizophrenia
Canada82 participantsStarted 2021-07-21
Plain-language summary
Social cognition is an individual's ability to perceive, process, understand, and react to other individuals in a social situation. Social cognition is impaired in individuals with schizophrenia, including difficulty recognizing others' emotions. A promising treatment avenue for emotion recognition problems in individuals with schizophrenia is continued practice with various facial expression recognition training programs. First degree relatives of someone with schizophrenia are considered at familial high risk (FHR) for the illness, because of its high level of heritability. It is therefore critical to explore if these emotion recognition training programs could also benefit people at FHR. In this current study, the investigators aim to explore the social-cognitive profiles and their neural correlates in FHR individuals. The investigators also aim to explore the potential efficacy of an emotion recognition intervention to improve this ability in FHR individuals.
Who can participate
Age range
15 Years – 35 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Between (or equal to) 15-35 years of age
* Ability to read/speak fluent English
* Diagnosis of SZ, schizoaffective disorder or schizophreniform confirmed for 1st degree relative by referring psychiatrist or two reliable informants (using the adapted FIGS questionnaire).
Exclusion Criteria:
* No diagnosis of psychosis related disorder
* Significant neurological or medical disorders that may produce cognitive impairment
* Current epilepsy or previous history of seizures
* Previous head injury with current continuing symptoms (i.e., cognitive ability, dizziness, etc.)
* Recent history of substance abuse or dependence (within past 3 months)
* MRI contraindication (e.g. metallic head implant, history of seizure, pacemaker, pregnancy, etc.)
* Current IQ \< 70 as measured by the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence Scale (WASI)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in emotion recognition performance from baseline - PENN Emotion Recognition Test
Timeframe: baseline and post treatment (1 month)
2
Change in brain activity during emotion recognition tasks from baseline