SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER

This study tests whether valbenazine can reduce involuntary muscle movements (tardive dyskinesia) in adults who still have symptoms while taking or after stopping another similar drug. About 50 people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression will take valbenazine…

This study is for people aged 18-35 experiencing their first episode of psychosis. Researchers will use genetic tests and MRI brain scans to see if certain markers can predict which antipsychotic drug (aripiprazole, risperidone, or clozapine) will work best. The goal is to improv…

This study tests whether using a person's genetic information to guide medication choices leads to better recovery for people with mood, anxiety, or psychotic disorders. Over 2,500 participants will receive either standard care or personalized medication advice based on their gen…

This study compares clozapine and risperidone in people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar I disorder with psychosis. Researchers want to see if a specific brain biotype (Biotype-1) responds better to clozapine. About 320 participants will be randomly assign…

This study is testing whether clozapine, a medication for schizophrenia, can reduce violent acts better than other antipsychotic drugs. Researchers will enroll 280 people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who have been violent in the past six months. Participants wil…

This study is testing whether a daily synbiotic supplement (a mix of probiotics and prebiotics) can reduce symptoms of schizophrenia when taken alongside standard antipsychotic medications. Researchers are enrolling 68 adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who hav…

This study tests whether a prebiotic supplement (Prebiotin®) can reduce inflammation and improve thinking in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Sixty adults aged 18-60 who are stable on antipsychotics will take the prebiotic or a placebo for 12 weeks. Research…

This study tests whether adding five extra services—like peer support, digital outreach, and group therapy—to standard care helps people with early psychosis stay in treatment longer. About 350 participants will either receive standard care or the enhanced program. Researchers wi…

This study looks at whether stopping unnecessary anticholinergic drugs (benztropine or trihexyphenidyl) can improve thinking, quality of life, and brain function in people aged 40-70 with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Participants will either stay on their medication…

This study compares Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) to standard Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in 80 people with treatment-resistant schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. MST uses magnetic pulses to trigger a controlled seizure, aiming to ease symptoms like hallucinations an…

This study tests whether giving stronger medications earlier can help people with schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar depression who did not get better with their first treatment. Over 1,200 participants will receive either standard second-line treatment or an intensified…

This study looks at whether giving a more powerful medication sooner can help people with schizophrenia who did not get better on their first treatment. About 418 adults will either receive the usual second-line treatment or an early intensified approach. The goal is to see if th…

This study tests whether infliximab, an anti-inflammatory drug used for arthritis, can improve motivation and brain activity in people with schizophrenia who have high inflammation. Sixty adults with schizophrenia will receive either infliximab or a placebo, and researchers will …

This study tests whether learning music—rhythm, singing, and body movements—can improve attention and thinking in people with schizophrenia. About 120 adults with stable schizophrenia will take part. The goal is to see if music-based training is a more engaging and effective way …

This study tests a 6-week group therapy program for adults with schizophrenia or related disorders. The therapy focuses on changing negative core beliefs (like feeling worthless or that others are dangerous) using compassion-focused techniques. The goal is to see if this approach…

This study tests whether a smartphone app called Kiso Mind is acceptable and helpful for people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Sixty participants will either use the app plus their usual treatment, or just usual treatment alone, for 12 weeks. Researchers will mea…

This study tests a smartphone app called mSITE that encourages people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder to have more social interactions. Researchers will track participants' social activity and symptoms over time. The goal is to see if the app helps reduce social wi…

This study tests a quick, 5-day brain stimulation treatment for the 'negative symptoms' of schizophrenia, like low motivation and social withdrawal. 75 adults with stable schizophrenia will get either real or fake (placebo) stimulation. The goal is to see if this approach is safe…

This study tests whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help veterans with serious mental illness (like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) who also have chronic low back pain. Researchers will measure changes in pain interference, quality of life, and pain severity after …

This study tests a therapy called Targeted Cognitive Training (TCT) for veterans with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or PTSD. The goal is to improve thinking skills and daily functioning by using EEG brain scans to identify who will benefit most. A…

This study tests a community-based cognitive remediation program for adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Participants do computer exercises and group sessions to improve memory, problem-solving, and social skills. The goal is to see if this helps them function …

This study tests whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce depression in people with schizophrenia. About 180 adults will receive rTMS to the left prefrontal cortex. Researchers will measure changes in mood, thinking, and other symptoms over time.

This phase 3 trial tests whether adding cannabidiol (CBD) to standard treatment can improve symptoms, thinking, and inflammation in people with early psychosis. About 120 adolescents and adults will receive either CBD or a placebo for 8 weeks. Researchers will also explore what f…

This study tests whether physical activity in green outdoor spaces reduces negative symptoms (like lack of motivation or social withdrawal) in people with schizophrenia more than indoor exercise. 45 adults aged 18-55 with persistent negative symptoms will participate. Researchers…

This study tests a 12-week group therapy program called Motivation Skills Training for people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The goal is to see if it improves motivation, goal attainment, and quality of life compared to a control group focused on healthy behavior…

This study tests whether a ketogenic diet (high fat, low carb) can improve brain energy and reduce psychiatric symptoms in people with early bipolar disorder. Fifty participants will follow either the ketogenic diet or standard dietary guidelines for 12 weeks. Researchers will me…

This study is testing a new social skills training program for Veterans with serious mental illness (like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or PTSD) who are looking for work. The program teaches skills to better understand social cues and handle workplace relationships. Researcher…

This study tests whether real-time fMRI neurofeedback can help people with schizophrenia who still hear voices despite medication. Participants learn to control their own brain activity while inside an MRI scanner, aiming to reduce the brain signals linked to auditory hallucinati…

This study follows 178 people who had a first episode of psychosis to see how early treatment choices and relapses affect their thinking, daily life, and mental health over 20 years. Participants attend one interview to assess symptoms, thinking skills, and functioning. The goal …

This study tests whether a 3-day training program called REFOCUS helps mental health teams provide care that supports personal recovery. About 760 people with severe mental disorders (like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) will take part across 18 centers. Researchers will measu…

This study looks at brain activity during sleep in people with early-course schizophrenia compared to healthy individuals. Researchers will play soft tones during deep sleep using a wearable headband to see if it can strengthen sleep-related brain waves and improve memory. The go…

This study explores whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can reduce cannabis cravings in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Researchers will compare brain activity changes in 100 participants, including healthy cannabis users. The goa…

This study uses a special PET scan tracer called [11-C]OMAR to measure cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Researchers will compare healthy volunteers to people with schizophrenia, cannabis dependence, PTSD, opioid use disorder, and other conditions. The goal is to understand how…

This study looks at how being in a hot room affects the body, thinking, and mood of people with schizophrenia. Ten adults with and without schizophrenia will sit in a warm or very hot room for six hours, doing light activity. The goal is to learn how heat impacts them so we can c…

This study creates a registry of brain scans, thinking tests, and blood samples from 1,000 people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or no mental illness. Researchers use MRI to compare brain activity and connections between groups while performing memory tasks. The go…

This study tests whether a fast form of brain stimulation (accelerated iTBS) can improve thinking and memory in 30 adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who are already taking the medication clozapine. Participants will receive both real stimulation and a sham (fa…

This study explores whether a gentle electrical current applied to the scalp (tDCS) can improve attention, learning, and memory in people with schizophrenia. Researchers will compare stimulation during a task versus rest, and front versus back of the head. They will also measure …

This study uses brain imaging (fMRI) to investigate why people with schizophrenia or depression often have trouble with memory and managing emotions. Researchers will scan the brains of 90 adults aged 18-60 while they perform tasks and at rest. The goal is to better understand th…

This study explores whether a non-invasive magnetic brain stimulation technique (TMS) can temporarily improve how quickly people with psychotic disorders (like schizophrenia or bipolar) solve problems. About 95 participants will do thinking tasks and get brain scans before and af…

This study looks at how attention and thinking strategies influence decision-making and brain activity in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder compared to healthy volunteers. Participants will use a positive thinking strategy during a gambling task while having t…

This study looks at 320 people with early psychosis to see if brain scans, eye-tracking, and electrical brain waves can predict how well they respond to treatment. Participants will have four visits over a year, including interviews, memory tests, and optional DNA samples. The go…

This study uses a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS to see if it can change brain activity in people with schizophrenia. Researchers will measure brain waves before and after stimulation to understand how the hippocampus works in this condition. The goal is not …

This study tests whether learning to play a music video game like Guitar Hero can strengthen the brain's white matter in people with schizophrenia. White matter helps different brain regions communicate quickly, and it is often impaired in schizophrenia, leading to slower thinkin…

This study looks at whether social isolation contributes to the early health problems seen in people with schizophrenia, who often die 10–20 years earlier than others. Researchers will follow 650 participants (500 with schizophrenia and 150 siblings) aged 40–70, tracking medical …

This study is following 200 children and teens (ages 7-20) who have experienced psychosis to see if they fall into distinct subgroups. Researchers will use interviews, brain scans, and genetic tests to classify participants. The goal is to see if these subgroups predict how well …

This study tests a program called iTEST for people with schizophrenia or related disorders. The program combines daily brain-training exercises on a mobile device with coaching to help participants more accurately judge their own skills. Researchers want to see if this improves h…

This study is testing a new questionnaire called ESSME that is given to people with schizophrenia at their homes. The goal is to see if this home-based assessment can better capture their real-life needs compared to standard methods. 56 participants will be followed for 6 months …

This study is testing whether MRI brain scans can help predict which patients having their first psychotic episode will not respond to standard treatment. Researchers will scan 80 people aged 18-35 with schizophrenia or related disorders who have never taken antipsychotic medicat…

This study tests a program called PRESTO that aims to identify and treat first-episode psychosis sooner. The program educates the public, trains frontline workers like doctors and teachers, and provides a mobile team to connect patients to care. Researchers will measure whether t…

This study aims to create brain-based tools to identify which veterans with chronic psychosis are most likely to benefit from cognitive rehabilitation. Researchers will use EEG recordings to measure brain activity and see if these signals can predict improvements in thinking skil…

This study looks at how common sleep apnea is in people hospitalized with schizophrenia and whether it affects their mental health. Researchers will use a special ring and a fiber-optic mat to track breathing during sleep without any wires or uncomfortable equipment. The goal is …