The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has joined forces with university medical schools across the country including Harvard University, Mount Sinai, University of California Los Angeles, University of California San Diego, University of Colorado, University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Washington. Through this collaborative research project we hope to learn more about the genetic basis of schizophrenia. Understanding the genetic components of schizophrenia is crucial to finding out about the risk factors, and heritability of this illness. It may also help to create more effective treatments, and hopefully someday, find a cure.


 Who Would Qualify?

::

 Male or female between the ages of 18-65
:: Families with at least one member who has schizophrenia


What if My Family Does Not Live Near Any of the Schools listed?

In some cases we will be able to accommodate family members who do not live near any of the testing sites.


What Will I do in this Study?

The study lasts about 2 half-days. We will NOT ask you to change your medications in ANY way. Each participant will be paid for all time spent participating in the study. Also, we may provide transportation to and from the testing site.

For more information on the tests involved, please see below and contact the site closest to you at the number below.


If interested, please contact one of the sites below:

Harvard University
(Boston, MA)
Erica Lee
617-998-5020
ehlee@bidmc.harvard.edu		 Mt. Sinai
(New York, NY)
Lauren Kryzak
212-659-5619
lauren.kryzak@mssm.edu
   
University of California, Los Angeles & West LA VA
(Los Angeles, CA)
Christen Waldon
310-478-3711, x49234
cwaldon@mednet.ucla.edu		 University of Colorado
(Denver, CO)
Bettye Clement, Ph.D.
303-807-7382
866-807-7382
Bettye.Clement@uchsc.edu
   
University of Washington & VA Puget Sound Health Care System
(Seattle, WA)
Denise Pritzl, LCSW
800-597-5441 (toll free)
seacogs@u.washington.edu *
*The confidentiality of email communications cannot be guaranteed.		 University of California, San Diego (San Diego, CA)
Barbara Haugeland, PhD
619-543-7201
szresearch@ucsd.edu
 
University of Pennsylvania
(Philadelphia, PA)
Raquel E. Gur, MD, PhD, cogs@upenn.edu
Or Caryn Hussar at (888) 635-7780 (toll free)
 
If you’re not sure which site to contact or have any questions please call or email:

National Project Coordinator
Emily Crowley
866-359-2496 (toll free)
SZResearch@ucsd.edu


Additional Information

What will happen if you agree to participate in this study:

1. You will be interviewed about your medical and psychiatric history. You will be asked specific questions about problems or difficulties you might have had as well as how you think and act in a variety of situations.
2. You will complete a series of problem-solving tests, some of which will be administered by computer.
3. You will wear a special pair of glasses while you watch a dot move across a computer screen in order to record your eye movements.
4. Two sensors will be placed next to each eye while you listen to a series of brief tones so that your blink reflex can be measured.
5. You will have a total of 5 sensors placed around one eye, your ears, and the top of your head while you listen to a series of brief clicks or tones in order to measure your brain waves (EEG).
6. You will be asked to provide a blood sample. We want to learn more about the genetics of schizophrenia. Your blood sample will be used to extract DNA (genetic material) which will be stored for future study.
7. You will be asked to provide a specimen of urine to test for the presence of drug use. You will also be asked to give a sample of saliva for an alcohol test.


Head of Research at each site:

Harvard University: Larry Seidman, Ph. D.

Mt. Sinai: Larry Siever, M.D.

Univ. of California Los Angeles/West Los Angeles VA: Michael Green, Ph. D.

Univ. of California San Diego: David Braff, M.D., National Project Director

Univ. of Colorado: Robert Freedman, M.D.

Univ. of Pennsylvania: Raquel Gur, M.D., Ph.D.

Univ. of Washington: Debby Tsuang, M.D.

University IRB Approval Numbers:
Harvard: IRB# N021002, M10025-101, MSSM: IRB# 01-0550, UCLA: IRB# 02-09-073-02, UCSD: IRB # 040564, Colorado: IRB# 95-530, UPenn: IRB# 704030, UWash: IRB# 02-4875-V.