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The research studies at the STEP Research Clinic at North Carolina Psychiatric Research Center - Central Regional (formerly Dorothea Dix)  target 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.

COPE - UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health Consultation Outcomes Project

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of psychiatric consultations and associated recommendations on symptoms, treatment cost, course of treatment, service utilization, and general functioning of individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness including: schizophrenia or a related psychotic disorder, bipolar illness, or major depression. Read more >>

Ages: 18+

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 seven study visits. Participants will be compensated $235 for completion of the study as well as reimbursement for mileage and parking. Ages: 18-65; Criteria: Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder Contact: 919-966-3915 or oxytocinstudy@unc.edu

CORAL - Clinical and Biomarker Assessment of Efficacy of Cognitive Remediation in Patients with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder Stabilized on Lurasidone

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects on cognitive and functional outcomes of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder stabilized on Lurasidone as evidenced by comparing 30 sessions of cognitive remediation to active control group. Lurasidone is a new FDA-approved antipsychotic medication. Subjects must be 18-55 years of age to participate. Study visits will take place at the North Carolina Psychiatric Research Center, located at the former Dorothea Dix Hospital Campus in Raleigh, NC and the Clinical and Translational Research Center at UNC, Chapel Hill, NC.  Read more»

Ages: 18 - 55 years of age

eCAeSAR - Evaluation of a Cognitively Adaptive e-treatment in Schizophrenia-diagnosed Adults: A Remediation-based Approach

The purpose of this study is to test a computer-based cognitive training program for the purpose of improving cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia.  Each subject will be randomly assigned to either the computerized cognitive remediation treatment arm or a non-specific computer-based control treatment arm and have 130 one-hour computer-based training sessions (goal of 5 sessions per week for a 6 month period) and will be assessed for cognitive and functional status at beginning, middle, and end of the study.  This is a multi-center study for adults between 18-65 years of age, meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia.  For more information about this study, please contact Kathy Jones at 919-715-9166.

Ages: 18-65 years of age

ACLAIMS - A Comparison of Long-Acting Injectable Medications for Schizophrenia

This is a randomized controlled study designed to compare the effectiveness of two widely used long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.  After baseline assessments, subjects will be randomly assigned for up to 24 months of blinded treatment with either paliperidone palmitate or haloperiodol decanoate injections.  This is a multi-center study for adults between 18-65 years of age, meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.  All study visits will last between 1-3 hours.  During the study, subjects will come to the clinic monthly to receive medication and complete interviews and questionnaires.  For more information about this study, please contact Kathy Jones at 919-733-5227.

Ages: 18-65 years of age