The Genetic Basis of Inherited Neurologic Deficits in People With Schizophrenia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This is a study of the genetic basis of brain dysfunction in people with schizophrenia.

Detailed Description
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Schizophrenia is a disabling disorder that is associated with specific inheritable neurobiologic deficits. These deficits can cause problems with memory, visual attention, information processing, and other aspects of daily living. Understanding the genetic components of these deficits in people with schizophrenia and their unaffected family members may help uncover the neurobiological basis, risk factors, and heritability of the disease. In addition, the information may serve to create more effective treatments and possibly a cure for the disease. This study will serve to provide information about the genetic basis of known inherited neurobiological deficits in people with schizophrenia. In turn, this may guide further studies on the genetics of schizophrenia. Participants will attend 2 study visits, each of which will last approximately 4 hours. The first will include blood tests and diagnostic interviews of participating families to evaluate the presence of schizophrenic symptoms. The second study visit will entail four neurocognitive and neurophysiological tests. Participants will first have a pre-pulse inhibition test, which uses electrodes to measure eye blinking. Electrodes will also be placed on participants' head, ears, and around their eyes to measure brain waves. Next, participants will undergo an oculomotor test, during which they will wear glasses fitted with sensors that record eye movement. Participants will then be asked to repeat a list of words, letters, and numbers read by a researcher. Last, participants will undergo a computerized performance test requiring them to watch the computer screen and click a mouse whenever they see a number between 0 and 9. Each study visit will take approximately 4 hours.

Official Title
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The Genetics of Endophenotypes and Schizophrenia

Conditions
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Schizophrenia

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria for Participating Families: Families with at least one member who has schizophrenia Exclusion Criteria: N/A

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 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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What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| percent inhibition to the 60 msec prepulse, P50 suppression, proportion of correct saccades, d, number correct in the reorder condition, the total recall score | The primary outcome measure for each endophenotype is as follows: for prepulse inhibition (PPI) the primary measure is the percent inhibition to the 60 msec prepulse; for P50 suppression it is the difference in amplitude between the test and conditioning stimuli; for antisaccade it is the proportion of correct saccades; for the DS-CPT it is (d') which is based on correct target detections and incorrect responses to nontargets; for LNS it is the number correct in the reorder condition; for CVLT it is the total recall score summed across 5 trials. | Upon entry to the study | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Mental Health, Psychosis, Genetics, Heredity