Perceptual Deficits in Schizophrenia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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In this study, participants with schizophrenia and schizoaffective are given computer exercises to complete. The goals of the study are to determine whether: 1) any of the computer exercises can improve information processing problems in schizophrenia, 2) improvements in information processing are related to other cognitive improvements, and 3) there are changes in brain activity associated with using the computer exercises. The study will involve clinical interviews, cognitive tests, and frequent computerized cognitive training over the course of 2 months. Some participants will also have electroencephalography, a non-invasive test that measures brain activity, to determine whether there are changes in brain activity with the computer training.

Detailed Description
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Schizophrenia is a disabling neurodevelopmental illness, affecting nearly 1% of the population. The disability of schizophrenia is due in large part to the effects of the illness on cognitive faculties. Current medications for schizophrenia do not generally improve cognition, so a major contribution to disability remains undertreated. Computerized cognitive remediation programs, which produce activity-dependent recruitment of neural resources to specifically enhance under-functioning brain systems, have been effective at improving both cognition and community functioning in patients with schizophrenia, but the effects are still modest. Our preliminary work has suggested that our training is associated with improvements in visual memory, though visual memory has been a cognitive area more refractory to cognitive training. In this study, participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder will be randomized to receive different computer exercises to help determine whether computer exercises can improve memory in schizophrenia, and whether the cognitive training is associated with changes in neural activity.

Official Title
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Cognitive Remediation for Perceptual Deficits in Schizophrenia

Conditions
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Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Sensory Information Processing Training
* Behavioral: Active Control Training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder English speaking and reading Exclusion Criteria: current substance abuse visual impairment neurological conditions current enrollment in another research study

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Sensory Information Processing Training<br>Computerized training designed to improve sensory processing | Behavioral: Sensory Information Processing Training<br>* Computer exercises requiring identification of visual stimuli on computer screen and response with keyboard<br>|
| Active Comparator: Active Control Training<br>Commercially available computer exercises that were not designed specifically to improve sensory information processing. | Behavioral: Active Control Training<br>* Commercially available educational software<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cognitive test performance | Neuropsychological testing | up to 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Psychiatric symptoms | Clinical interviews and ratings | up to 6 months | 
| Social Functioning | Clinical rating scales | up to 6 months |