Social function relies on language and communication between individuals and others. This includes speaking in a way that makes it easy for people to understand what we are saying, and also being able to read other people’s emotions and intentions in their speech and facial expression.
For many people who have had psychotic-like experiences, they have some struggles with getting their point across, or in understanding what others intend to communicate. So far, there are no interventions that can clearly help people with such symptoms with communication and social function. The purpose of this study is to better understand difficulties with language and social cognition, so that interventions can be developed to improve these.
Our study is designed for individuals between the ages of 15 and 35 who have had psychotic-like experiences. Such experiences include unusual thoughts, suspiciousness, and/or perceptual disturbances, like hearing one’s name in the wind or colors looking different. This study is also available to individuals who have a psychosis diagnosis.
The study involves interviews, computer tests, and brain scans using both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which creates pictures of the brain, and electroencephalography (EEG), which records brain waves. Many study visits can take place using a videochat platform for which privacy is maintained. All participants are offered a copy of their initial evaluation.
Who will be conducting the study? Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Will subjects be paid (include payment schedule)? Yes. The payment schedule is
1) $70 total for interview and tests;
2) $50 for EEG; and
3) $100 for each of the two MRI sessions, for a total of $200 for MRI.
4) $30 for six-month follow-up visits for interview of 1-2 hours
Please contact Dr. Shaynna Herrera at shaynna.herrera@mssm.edu. More information can be found here:
https://www.cuemountsinai.org
https://www.mountsinai.org/care/behavioral-health/services/schizophrenia/psychosis-risk
When does the post expire? June 2021