Brain scans reveal how positive thinking may change choices in schizophrenia
NCT ID NCT06745479
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
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 their brains scanned with MRI. They will also answer short surveys about their daily activities and feelings for one week. The goal is to understand how brain function during decision-making relates to real-world choices.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 74 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 50 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria The following criteria apply to all subjects: 1. Between ages of 18-50. 2. Have capacity to provide informed consent 3. Fluent communication in English 4. Willingness and ability to follow study requirements, as evidenced by an ability to provide written or virtual informed consent and read, and complete, study procedures. 5. Cognitive ability to understand tasks and estimated IQ greater than 70. The following criteria apply to subjects with schizophrenia: 1\. Primary diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder The following additional criteria apply to subjects without schizophrenia: 1\. Inclusion based on subject matched to psychiatric group based on age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education level. Exclusion Criteria The following criteria apply to all subjects: 1. Self-disclosed or noticeable intoxication from alcohol or illicit drugs (e.g., arriving to participate in the study drunk/high) 2. Self-disclosure of consistent current substance use other than nicotine, alcohol, or cannabis (e.g. cocaine, heroin). 3. Many-year history of severely disordered substance use other than nicotine/tobacco (determined via interview) 4. Significant physical health disorder, robust physical health conditions, neurological disease/disorder (e.g., Parkinson's, history of strokes). 5. History of traumatic brain injury, head injury resulting in loss of consciousness for an extended duration or with noted neurobehavioral consequences. 6. Electroconvulsive therapy within one month of participation. 7. History of seizures or epilepsy. 8. Currently untreated or unstable psychiatric and medical conditions. 9. Intellectual disability 10. Contra indications for MR imaging (detailed below) The following additional criteria apply to subjects without schizophrenia: 1. Pervasive history of problematic substance use (other than nicotine, alcohol, and mild-moderate cannabis use) as defined by meeting DSM-5 criteria for a substance use disorder. 2. Diagnosis of, or first-degree relative with, significant psychiatric disorder (e.g., bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, or Cluster A personality disorder).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
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Contacts and locations
Locations
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Center for Advanced Human Brain Imaging Research
RECRUITINGPiscataway, New Jersey, 08854, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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