Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Program at McLean Hospital

The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate an intervention that adapts Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) for families experiencing early psychosis and substance use delivered via telemedicine. The intervention aims to improve how families can support a loved one’s recovery goals by improving communication, treatment engagement, and overall wellbeing. If after reviewing the details below you think you may be eligible to participate, please fill out the survey link below:

Open Survey

For Family Members: We are looking for relatives of a patient with early course psychosis (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform, psychosis NOS, delusional disorder, brief psychotic disorder, major depression with psychosis, and bipolar disorder with psychosis) with first onset in the past 6 years. The patient must have used cannabis or alcohol in the past 30 days and/or have no apparent immediate interest in abstinence. Relatives must be between the ages of 18 and 70 years old and have access to a computer with internet or mobile phone with video conferencing capabilities.

Compensation is up to $200 for completing three study visits, a brief follow-up visit, and focus group. Family members may also receive eight one-hour long CRAFT coaching sessions at no cost to them.

For Individuals with Early Psychosis: We are looking for people ages 18 to 35 years old who have had their first episode of psychosis in the past 6 years with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform, psychosis NOS, delusional disorder, brief psychotic disorder, major depression with psychosis, and bipolar disorder with psychosis. You must have used cannabis or alcohol within the past 30 days and/or have no apparent immediate interest in abstinence.

Compensation is up to $170 for completing three study visits and a brief follow up visit. Visits will consist of a clinical interview, surveys, and substance use screenings.

If you are interested in this study, please contact Mary Grace Shinners (mshinners@mclean.harvard.edu or 617-855-3089) or Julie McCarthy, PhD (jmccarthy@mclean.harvard.edu or 617-855-3521) or visit our study ad here.

Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder? Do you or that person also use alcohol, marijuana, or any other drugs?

If so, you or someone you know may be eligible to participate in a research study conducted at UMass Chan Medical School. The purpose of this study is to see whether brexpiprazole, an investigational drug, can help reduce substance use in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders. Your participation in the study will last 12 weeks. You will be compensated for your time.

If you are interested or would like to learn more, please contact UMass MIND at 508-856-MIND(6463) or MIND@umassmed.edu.

Do you have questions about your cannabis use and how it relates to your psychosis symptoms? Do you know someone in care for psychosis that might benefit from a conversation about cannabis use? This UW study is recruiting young adults aged 18-30 involved in psychosis care who regularly use cannabis (at least 9 days in the past month) to participate in and offer feedback on a new model for talking about cannabis and psychosis with young adults. The intervention is based on motivational interviewing and incorporates personalized feedback on cannabis use, effects, and the interaction between cannabis and psychosis. It's nonjudgmental, person centered, and meets the individual where they are at.

Participation involves a brief screening, a 20-30 minute computerized assessment, 2 intervention sessions with a cannabis intervention expert, and a post-intervention interview to receive feedback on the intervention. All participation is virtual (computer and Zoom). And participants earn $125 for participating.

Those interested in participating can complete the screening survey here.

Questions? Reach out to us at iprg@uw.edu or contact Research Coordinator, Mackenzie Tennison at macten@uw.edu.

What We Know

- Schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders are highly disabling.

- Drug treatments do not improve cognitive and social functioning.

- Psychosocial rehabilitation improves social functioning.

- Cognitive remediation improves cognitive functioning.

What We Need to Learn

- Is CET more effective than SST in improving community functioning?

- Do some patients benefit more from one of the two treatments?

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Boston University, Boston, MA

We are interested in learning about how people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder feel about their social relationships, and how they may respond to different relaxation techniques. Specifically, we are looking for:

Adults ages 18-55 with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

Those without a pre-existing heart condition (e.g., coronary artery disease)

Those who speak and understand English

Those able to sign legal documents without a legal custodian or someone else signing on their behalf

This study will occur within 1 visit that will take place at our research lab at Boston University, and will last a maximum of 3 hours. You will be asked questions about your health, mood, and recent social interactions during this lab visit. The risks of taking part in this study may include potential loss of confidentiality, and possibly feeling uncomfortable when answering questions about thoughts, feelings, and mental health symptoms. You may be compensated a maximum of $65 for completing all parts of the study. Payment will occur in the form of gift cards.

If interested, please contact our lab at buamplab@gmail.com or call us at 617-385-2889 for more information and to confirm your eligibility for this study. This study will take place in-person at Boston University.

We are conducting research to better understand smoking behavior and are interested in seeing if a mobile application can help people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder participate in more activities that they find meaningful and reduce their time spent smoking cigarettes. Participation in this study involves two study sessions in-person at Boston University. The first visit lasts approximately 30 minutes and involves downloading a mobile phone application and answering questions about your smoking history, mood, and personal values. After your first visit, you will use the mobile application at home and in your daily life for 14 days answering questions and logging your activities. The second visit will take place after the 14-day trial period, will take about 90 minutes to complete and involves answering questions about your experience with the application.

We are looking for adults who smoke and have a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. You will be paid up to $100 for your time participating in the form of an Amazon gift card. If interested, please contact our lab at buamplab@gmail.com or call us at 617-358-2889 for more information and to confirm your eligibility for this study.

Individuals experiencing the early course of psychotic disorders vary in their outcomes and responses to treatment. The ability to predict outcomes will help us plan appropriate treatments tailored to each individual. Our research team is interested in understanding how we can predict outcomes using detailed assessments of symptoms, thinking abilities, and brain function. We are looking for individuals between the ages of 18-35 with a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder with an onset within 3 years before entering the study.

As part of this study, we will assess symptoms, cognitive function, brain structure and function using a brain scan and electroencephalography (EEG) tests. Participants will be compensated up to $425 ($200 for baseline and $75 for each of the 3 follow-ups) for participation in the study. For more information, please contact the 617-383-9526 or eoykhman@bidmc.harvard.edu

Our team at the University of Washington has developed Bolster – a mobile app designed to support caregivers of young adults with early psychosis. Bolster will eventually be deployed to caregivers who are trying to support their loved one’s help-seeking and access to care, and thus aim to reduce duration of untreated illness. At this stage, we are looking to recruit caregivers whose loved ones are not currently engaged in care to use digital tools to support their caregiving. To do this, we are seeking caregivers of young adults with psychosis to either use online resources or the Bolster application for 12 weeks. Caregivers to young people 15-35 who (1) have experienced psychosis and are not engaged in specialty treatment and (2) own an iPhone are eligible.

Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires about their stress levels and experiences with caregiving once at the start of the testing period, a second time at the midpoint (6 weeks), and a third time at the end of the testing period (12 weeks). They will be expected to use the digital tools regularly during the three months that they have access to them, as well as complete short surveys once a week. For completing all study activities (including the 12-week testing period), participants will receive $180 in Amazon Gift Cards.

To learn more about the study and sign up, any interested caregivers should visit https://www.bolsterproject.org/. If you have additional questions, please feel free to email our study team at bolster@uw.edu, or visit the study website (bolsterproject.org). Please also see (and feel free to distribute) the attached flyer.

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Research helps us understand psychiatric disorders and improve treatments. We have a range of studies looking at cognition, biomarkers, energy metabolism, and other components of disorders involving psychosis.

We are recruiting people ages 18-89 who have experienced psychosis. This may include diagnoses of schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar disorders, and more. Our studies can include: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Electroencephalography (EEG), clinical interviews, blood draws, metabolic assessments, cognitive tasks, activity watches, and smartphone apps. All studies provide monetary compensation.

If you think this may apply to you and you are interested, contact 617-855-2370 or hrsinger@mclean.harvard.edu to learn more.

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We are interested in studying the way people interact with others, and how this may be related to brain activity, mood, and thinking patterns. If you are eligible, you will come in-person to Boston University for two visits. The first visit will last approximately 4 hours, and you will answer questions about your mood and social interactions through interviews with a researcher and questionnaires on a computer. You will also complete some tasks, both on a computer and on paper. The second visit will last approximately 1 hour and will consist of an MRI scan. Although we do not anticipate any adverse risks in this study, you may experience some discomfort when answering questions or completing the tasks. You would be paid $15 per hour of participation completed, and $20 for the MRI scan.

If interested, please contact our lab at buamplab@gmail.com or call us at 617-358-0850 for more information and to confirm your eligibility for this study. This study will take place in-person at Boston University.

Our research team is interested in understanding ways to support social connection in people living with serious mental illness. We often use mobile technology, like smartphone applications, to understand the social worlds of people with and without mental health concerns. In our study, we are looking for individuals between the ages of 18-65 with a diagnosis of a primary psychotic disorder or a primary mood disorder that involves psychosis.

This study uses mobile phone-based sensors to passively measure levels of social activity and involves 2 in-person visits and 14 days of short daily surveys. Participants do not need a smartphone to participate. Participants will be compensated up to $100 for participation in the study. For more information, please contact the AMP Lab at 617-358-2889 or amplab.dphilstudy@gmail.com

Work from our team aims to help understand ways to reduce loneliness and improve the social lives of people living with mental health concerns. We are interested in how social connection affects the brains and bodies of people who experience psychosis.

For this study, we are looking for participants between the ages of 18-55 and have experienced psychosis with feelings of loneliness. This study involves visits to Massachusetts General Hospital including an MRI scan and a blood draw, and 14 days of short surveys via a smartphone app. Participants do not need a smartphone to participate. Participants will be compensated up to $630 for participation in the study.

For more information, please contact the AMP Lab at 617-358-2889 or buamplab@gmail.com

The EPICenter at Boston Children’s Hospital is interested in finding out more about how our genes and environment affect us and how these factors influence our mental health! We are looking for youth (ages 6-21) who have reported any of the following: delusions (false beliefs), seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear, incoherent or nonsense speech, and/or behaviors or emotions that are not appropriate for the situation. This study consists of psychological interview, cognitive tests, and biological specimen collection. Participants can receive up to $150 for completing the study.

For more information contact the EPICenter at 617-919-7599 or EPICenter@childrens.harvard.edu

Researchers at BIDMC are conducting a study to understand how 2 different medications work with specific symptoms of psychosis. The study will take place over 18 weeks and will include:

Clinical Assessments

Brain activity recording

Blood tests

Tests of cognitive ability (such as attention, memory and problem solving)

Treatment with clozapine or risperidone

Eligible participants are those who are aged between 18-60; diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective, or bipolar disorder with psychotic features; do not have a neurological disorder such as traumatic brain injury, or seizure disorder; and are able to tolerate clozapine treatment. Participants will be compensated for their time in the study and reimbursed for travel/parking. Please contact Lola Nedic at lnedic@bidmc.harvard.edu.

Researchers at BIDMC are conducting a study to understand the impact of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The study will take place over three weeks and will include:

Two MRI scans

One week of TMS/sham treatments, with one morning treatment and one afternoon treatment on each day

Neuropsychological testing to assess memory, attention, and thinking

A clinical interview with the study doctor

Eligible participants are those who are aged 18-55, have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and have not been hospitalized or changed medications in the last 30 days. Participants will be paid up to $1300 upon completion of this study.

Please respond to our confidential online screening to see if you qualify.

The Lizano Lab at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is conducting studies primarily focused on advancing treatments for psychosis symptoms for individuals in the early stages of psychosis.

This study aims to identify biomarkers of the eye in early psychosis using retinal imaging technology. By participating in this study, you can help us understand how the visual system influences our understanding of the pathophysiology of psychosis.

Participants between 18-35 years of age who have been diagnosed with psychosis within the past 5 years may be eligible. For more information, contact Nick Raymond at njraymon@bidmc.harvard.edu

The Lizano Lab at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is conducting studies primarily focused on advancing treatments for psychosis symptoms for individuals in the early stages of psychosis.

This study aims to determine if noninvasive brain stimulation can reduce the frequency and severity of hallucinations in general psychosis. By participating in this study, you can help us understand how tES may help improve hallucinations.

Participants between 18-50 years of age who have been diagnosed with psychosis may be eligible. For more information, contact Nick Raymond at njraymon@bidmc.harvard.edu

The Lizano Lab at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is conducting studies primarily focused on advancing treatments for psychosis symptoms for individuals in the early stages of psychosis.

This clinical study aims to explore whether a single infusion IV function of Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP) can improve inflammation and vascular function in early psychosis. By participating in this study, you can help us learn more about how SNP may help improve psychosis symptoms and treatment outcomes.

Participants between 18-50 years of age who have been diagnosed with psychosis within the past 3 years may be eligible. For more information, contact Nick Raymond at njraymon@bidmc.harvard.edu

Help researchers investigate the relationship between insulin signaling, cognition, and recently diagnosed disorders involving psychosis. Participants will complete 3-4 visits at Baseline, one follow-up visit at 6 months, and one follow-up visit at 12 months. Study activities may include MRI scans, surveys, blood draws, and a nutrition assessment. Participants will receive up to $610 for completion of the study and reimbursement of travel costs up to $25 per study visit.

You may be eligible if you have been diagnosed with a disorder involving psychosis within the last 3 years. You may also be eligible if you are a sibling of someone who has been diagnosed with a disorder involving psychosis and are not currently taking psychiatric medications.

If you are interested in hearing more about the study, please fill out this survey, or contact Meg Atkinson-Barnes at matkinsonbarnes@partners.org or 617-855-2759.

Do you have a recent diagnosis of psychosis, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder? You may be eligible for a brain imaging research study. We are looking for individuals who have received a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder within the past five years to participate in an MRI research study. We are investigating the underlying mechanisms of cognitive impairment. Understanding the neural mechanisms of this symptom at an early stage of the disease can help us improve treatments in the future.

The study involves an hour-long Zoom call and a single one-and-a-half hour visit to the Charlestown Navy Yard Campus of Massachusetts General Hospital. The participants would undergo brief psychiatric screening during the Zoom call and an MRI scan at the Charlestown Navy Yard. In the MRI scan, you would be completing a memory task involving letters.

Participants would receive up to $100. Uber/Lyft reimbursements or a parking voucher will also be provided.

Individuals who meet the following criteria are eligible:

Between the ages of 18 and 35

Recent diagnosis of a psychotic disorder (within five years of symptoms appearing)

No current alcohol or substance abuse

No metallic implants

Please contact the Clinical Research Coordinator, Alexandra O'Neill, by phone (617-726-8753) or email (agoneill@mgh.harvard.edu) if you are interested in the study.

Do you have confusing thoughts or hear or see unusual things? Are you between ages 13-25? If so, you may be eligible for therapy at BIDMC as part of a study to learn more about early interventions for youth at risk for psychosis.

Flyer for Youth | Flyer for Families

Washington State University

Researchers are interested in learning more about the experiences of Black and African American individuals who use coordinated speciality care (CSC) services for psychosis treatment. The “Pathways to Care” study is a way for clients and family members of clients to speak about their experiences in seeking out CSC services. For their contributions (one 40-60 minute phone conversation), participants are compensated with a $40 e-giftcard. Please note that while the flyer below indicates participants must be enrolled in the New Journeys Program, individuals from other CSC programs may also be eligible.

If you are interested, please contact Bryony Stokes at: 509-505-7001 or bryony.mueller@wsu.edu

Learn More

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is conducting several studies related to technology and mental wellbeing. Participants have the opportunity to use mental health apps to track symptoms and to receive customized wellness recommendations. Some studies even offer a FREE PHONE OR SMARTWATCH! Participation is virtual and participants are financially compensated. To find out if you qualify for one or more of these studies, click our “Learn More” link.

If you are interested, please contact Hannah Wisniewski at: hwisnie1@bidmc.harvard.edu or John Torous at: jtorous@bidmc.harvard.edu

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Emotion & Social Neuroscience Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital

For Individuals: We are looking for people who have been diagnosed with psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder, 14-50 years old, to participate in a research study of social behavior at the Massachusetts General Hospital. In the study, you will complete some computer tasks and interviews, fill out questionnaires, and may participate in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. You will be paid $125 for each time you visit us. Total compensation will be between $375. During the MRI scan, you will perform a simple task while looking at faces on a screen.

If you are interested in this study, please contact Clayton Jeffrey at: cmjeffrey@mgh.harvard.edu at 617-724-3283.

For Family Members: We are looking for healthy volunteers with a close relative who has experienced psychosis to participate in a research study at the Massachusetts General Hospital, East Campus, in the Charlestown Navy Yard. In the study, you will complete some computer tasks and interviews, fill out some questionnaires, and may participate in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. You will be paid $125 for each visit. Total compensation will be between $375. During the MRI scan, you will perform a simple task while looking at faces on a screen.

Please contact us if you might be interested in participating in the study and you are between 14-50 years old, and someone in your immediate family has experienced psychosis (which can include hearing voices, experiencing “paranoia,” and other unusual beliefs).

If you are interested, please contact Clayton Jeffrey at: cmjeffrey@mgh.harvard.edu or 617-724-3283.

As part of this study, individuals are randomized to either play a game or explore a website with short videos on their own (for up to 2 months) and complete 3 brief surveys. Both the game and website focus on engagement and recovery. All research activities are completed online and are available at any time. Participants are compensated after finishing each survey. Surveys take between 10-20 minutes to complete and participants would receive a $30 gift card for completing the first survey, a $30 card for the second survey, and a $40 card for the last survey!

To be a part of this research, individuals need to:

Be between 18-30

Be enrolled in a treatment program for early psychosis

Have access to a computer or tablet with a webcam

Have an email address

Be in the U.S. or a U.S. Territory

For more information, please see the attached study flyer and contact Reanne at 646-774-8481 or reanne.rahim@nyspi.columbia.edu.

Learn More

The Digital Psychiatry lab at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is conducting a paid ($40) study to improve the usability of a mental health app. We are interested in understanding more about the features, visualizations, and functions that patients, their family members, and clinicians are most interested in utilizing. No data about you will be recorded or used, just your thoughts on mental health technology.

To this end, we are leading small focus groups with patients and family members over Zoom. Focus groups will include broader discussion around smartphone use and application preferences, as well as a demonstration of an app our team has built and an opportunity to provide feedback on it. The online meeting will last 45 minutes and participants will be compensated $40 for their time. Participants will be required to complete a brief (5 minute) online survey beforehand.

If you're interested in participating, please email Elena at erodri11@bidmc.harvard.edu for more details and scheduling.