Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

San Francisco - Volunteers Needed for Study; Does Computer Training Help the Symptoms of Schizophrenia?

University of California, San Francisco has announced the opportunity to participate in this new study designed to help reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia.

This study is being conducted by Sophia Vinogradov, M.D. and her research team at UCSF and the San Francisco VA Medical Center. It is designed to aid our understanding of whether or not specialized computer training helps people with schizophrenia lessen their symptoms and improve their thinking. This study is being funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Participants should be available to spend 60 minutes per day, five days per week, for twenty consecutive weeks at a computer at the San Francisco VA Hospital.

In addition to the 60 minutes per day of computer work, participants should be available for the following:

At the beginning of the study:
• Four appointments (with interviews and paper-and-pencil tests)
• Two or three imaging appointments with fMRI and MEG
• Three quick blood tests

After 10 weeks:
• Four appointments (with interviews and paper-and-pencil tests)
• One imaging appointment with MEG
• Three quick blood tests

After 16 weeks:
• Two appointments (with interviews and paper-and-pencil tests)
• Two or three imaging appointments with fMRI and MEG

After 20 weeks:
• Four appointments (with interviews and paper-and-pencil tests).

6 Months later:
• Four appointments (with interviews and paper-and-pencil tests)

Participants will be paid $20 for each two hour appointment (interviews and paper-and-pencil tests), and $5/day for each day at the computer, plus weekly bonuses.

Participants will be paid $40 for each of the imaging appointments using an MRI and an MEG.

You are eligible to participate if
1) You have a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
2) You are in good general medical health.
3) You are doing well and have been on the same medication for at least four weeks.
4) You are not taking anti-depressant or mood-stabilizing medications.
5) You are between the ages of 18 and 60.
6) You live in or around the San Francisco Bay Area.
7) English is your first language.

Interested? Know someone who might be?
Call 415-221-4810 x 3077 for more information