Clinical Research at UNC

How to use this page: The research studies at UNC target At Risk, Early and Chronic stages of psychotic disorders. Below are the names and brief descriptions of each study. If you see a study that may apply to you, click on the link and get further details on the study and contact information.

• At Risk

PRIME - Prevention through Risk Identification, Management and Education

PRIME is a group of providers dedicated to better understanding the subtle changes in the way a person may think, feel, and perceive.  Read more >>

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• EARLY STAGES OF PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

First episode or early course is identified in adults and adolescents who have transitioned from a pre-psychotic state to the first full-blown psychotic state.

ADAPT (Appetite Dysregulation with Anti-Psychotic Treatment) Study

The purpose of this study is evaluate changes in key hormones that regulate appetite in patients early in treatment with 1 of 4 atypical antipsychotic medications (olanzapine, risperidone, aripiprazole, ziprasidone). For more information, contact the Study Coordinator, Brenda Pearson, at (919) 843-8084.

Ages 18 to 40 years

MAPS - Mapping of Brain Function in Schizophrenia

The purpose of this study is to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and or electrophysiological recording (EEG) to evaluate brain function, structure and/or chemistry.  Read more >>

Ages: 9-60, length of symptoms or criteria: diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and taking an atypical antipsychotic.

GRIP - Randomized Controlled Trial of the Graduated Recovery Intervention Program for Early Psychosis

The purpose of this study is to implement a new manual-based intervention for early psychosis, the Graduated Recovery Intervention Program (GRIP), in the context of a small-scale randomized controlled trial to evaluate its efficacy.

Ages: 18 and older

SAFE Study - Amantadine for prevention of weight gain in first episode psychosis

The purpose of this study is to determine if amantadine added very soon after starting olanzapine therapy can prevent weight gain due to olanzapine, in first episode subjects. Read More>>

Ages: 18-45, all races and genders

UNC Schizophrenia Research Center

The UNC Silvio O. Conte Center for the neuroscience of mental disorders is conducting four interrelated studies to identify critical brain events that trigger the development of psychotic symptoms associated with schizophrenia.  Read more >>

Age: pre-natal to adult

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• CHRONIC STAGES OF PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS
  

Adults and adolescents with psychotic symptoms persisting for 1 year or longer.

OTS Study – Oxytocin Treatment of Social Cognitive and Functional Deficits in Schizophrenia

The purpose of this research study is to learn about oxytocin effects on symptoms of schizophrenia, especially difficulties in social relationships and social functioning as well as psychotic symptoms.

Participants will administer oxytocin or placebo twice daily in an intranasal spray for 12 weeks while continuing on their usual medications. They will complete a series of tasks testing attention, memory, emotion recognition, and trustworthiness during six study visits. Participants will be compensated $220 for completion of the study as well as reimbursement for mileage and parking.

Ages: 18-65; Criteria: Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder (depressed type)

Contact: 919-966-3915 or oxytocinstudy@unc.edu

SCAF Study - Social Cognition & Functioning

The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which selected measures from social neuroscience are suitable for use in clinical trials of schizophrenia and to examine whether these measures are related to real-world functioning in individuals with schizophrenia.

Participants will be asked to complete a series of tasks involving attention, memory, emotion perception, empathy, and role plays. Participation will last approximately 7 - 8 hours total and will consist of up to 3 visits. Participants will receive $15/hr for their participation and will be reimbursed $5 a visit for travel costs.

Please contact Betty Rupp at 919-843-5262 or email at brupp@email.unc.edu.

Ages: 18-60, Criteria: diagnosed with schizophrenia

Computer-Based CBT for Schizophrenia

The purpose of this study is to see if 12 weekly sessions of a computer-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program can help reduce some of the distressing symptoms that are associated with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Participants will complete 3 interviews over the course of the study; a screening interview, an interview before treatment starts and one after treatment finishes.  Each interview will take approximately 1.5-3 hours. Participants will receive $25 for the first interview and $30 for each additional one, for a total of $85.  You can also receive $5 per session for travel costs.

Please contact Katy Harper (919)843-5262 or email at kharper@unc.edu.

Ages 18-65, Criteria: diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, hearing voices/having auditory hallucinations currently

SWITCH Study - Metabolic and weight effects of a switch to aripiprazole

The purpose of this 14 week study is to determine if subjects who switch from olanzpine, quetiapine or risperidone to aripiprazole show changes in body composition, weight, lipids, glucose, (and other metabolic markers), energy expenditure or caloric consumption.  Read more >>

Ages: 18-65

MAPS - Mapping of Brain Function in Schizophrenia

The purpose of this study is to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and or electrophysiological recording (EEG) to evaluate brain function, structure and/or chemistry.  Read more >>

Ages: 9-60, length of symptoms or criteria: diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and taking an atypical antipsychotic.

The purpose of this study is the development and validation of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) protocols for a large-scale multi-center study of schizophrenia.  We are looking for individuals ages 18-70 who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.  Study participation includes two 2 hour MRI appointments one month apart.  The first appointment also includes a two hour clinical assessment, for a total visit time of four hours.  Women must be willing to provide a blood sample for a pregnancy test within 3 days of the MRI scan.  Subjects are compensated by the hour based on the length of their visit.  If you would like more information, please contact Carolyn Bellion at 919-966-9988.

Ages: 18-70

CAMP - Clinical Management of Metabolic Problems in Patients with Schizophrenia: Switching to Aripiprazole versus Continued Treatment with Olanzapine, Quetiapine, or Risperidone

The purpose of this six-month study is to compare the effects of switching to aripiprazole versus continued treatment with olanzapine, quetiapine, or risperidone on the risk of cardiovascular disease.  This study is conducted in conjunction with the NIMH Schizophrenia Trials Network.  This study is closed.
Ages: 18-65

The purpose of this study is to learn more about the genetic basis of schizophrenia.  We are collecting blood samples from individuals affected and unaffected by schizophrenia. Read More >>

Ages: 18+

CONNECT Study - An investigational medication trial to treat impairments of thinking and memory in adults diagnosed with schizophrenia

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of an investigational medication in improving cognition (thinking and memory) in adults diagnosed with schizophrenia who are taking antipsychotic monotherapy.  This study is closed.

Ages: 18-65

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• CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DISORDERS

IMPACT - Improving Metabolic Parameters Of Antipsychotic Child Treatment

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relative risks and benefits of two approaches to the control of weight gain and other negative side effects in children and adolescents on 2nd generation antipsychotics (SGA):

Read more >>

Ages: 10-17

NAPLS II: Predictors and Mechanisms of Conversion to Psychosis

The purpose of this study is to increase our ability to identify patients at clinical high-risk for the development of a psychotic disorder and to investigate neurobiological changes that underlie the emergence of a psychotic disorder. Read More>>

Ages 12-35

ZIP:  Ziprasidone vs Placebo in the Prevention of Psychosis Among Symptomatic Adolescents and Young Adults at Prodromal Risk

The goal of the ZIP study is to better understand the treatment of Basic Symptoms. All of the participants in this study have a 50 % chance that they will receive medication. Each individual is randomly assigned to either receive medication or not.
Read more>>

Ages: 16-40

Conte Center: Mapping Brain Functions in Adolescents

This study is targeted towards subjects who may be at risk for schizophrenia by virtue of having a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) that has been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder (schizophrenia and/or schizoaffective disorder). We are interested in comparing the normal changes in brain structure and function that occur during puberty in those with and without a first-degree relative with a psychotic disorder.
This study involves MRI brain imaging (where magnets are used to take pictures of the brain) and electrophysiology studies to measure brain activity. These are safe, routine medical procedures.  Read more >>

Ages: 9-18

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