Six-Month NIMH Inpatient Study on Schizophrenia
Protocol # 89-M-0160

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), located on the campus of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, is seeking medically healthy adults, ages 18 to 55, who are diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder to participate in a 6-month inpatient study. For over 40 years, this Schizophrenia Research Program has been a pre-eminent center for advanced research on the causes and treatment of schizophrenia and has established a respected tradition of combining excellent treatment, compassionate care, and expert evaluations with state-of-the-art research. An institutional review board (IRB) examines and approves all active protocols, which are then repeatedly and thoroughly explained to prospective participants and their family to ensure a full understanding of the implications of each phase of participation in the research program.

During phase one, while on their medications, participants receive neuroimaging along with extensive psychiatric, medical, neurological, neuropsychological evaluations. Participants have access to the many resources available at the NIH Clinical Center and are encouraged to participate in ongoing educational programs, art & music therapy, recreational and occupational therapy. The research focuses on the biological, genetic, neurological and cognitive aspects of schizophrenia. To answer important research questions, suitable participants are asked to participate in phase two: the period without medications. In this time off medications, skilled, caring nurses and doctors provide needed support and supervision. During the third and final phase, participants engage in intensive medication management while they continue to participate in the therapeutic milieu with the ongoing therapies and programs. Careful discharge planning begins, complete with written assessments and consultations for the hometown mental health providers. The participant is then discharged. There is no charge to participate. For more details, call the toll-free referral line at 1-888-674-6464 (TTY: 866-411-1010) at NIMH, NIH, Department of Health & Human Services.

Or Email: Mary Weirich

Email Address: WeirichM(at)INTRA.NIMH.nih.gov