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Functional Imaging for Research and Schizophrenia Treatment A Program for Assessment, Treatment and Imaging Studies Schizophrenia is an enigmatic illness that affects 1% of the world’s population. Understanding this illness requires a well-controlled research program with a large number of patients and controls. The Mind Research Network (MRN) has addressed this severe mental illness by forming the Mind Clinical Imaging Consortium (MCIC). Under this program we have studied 178 patients and 170 healthy controls thus far. We have established a large data bank containing anatomical and functional MRI, MEG and immortalized cell lines for genetic data. We have developed a cross-site calibration of MRI and MEG and methods for unifying the analysis of MEG data across three different platforms that are installed in three MRN partner sites. The FIRST Program is an extension of the MCIC with a focus on early diagnosis of schizophrenia. Early detection will be important in understanding the development of this illness and in providing more effective care of these patients. The Mind Research Network, through its partnerships with Massachusetts General Hospital, the University of Minnesota and the University of New Mexico, has launched the Functional Imaging for Research and Schizophrenia Treatment (FIRST) Program. Through this collaboration we hope to gain a better understanding of serious mental illnesses. We anticipate that the knowledge gained from these studies will improve the treatment and prognosis of schizophrenia and other psychoses.
Schizophrenia, a potentially devastating mental illness, affects one percent of the population. The disease, which often develops a in person’s late teens or early twenties, can affect all aspects of life–from career and education, to relationships with others. The longer a psychotic illness is left untreated, the greater the disruption to the person’s life. Some research suggests that delays in treatment can lead to a slower and/or less complete recovery. However, through a combination of medication and psychosocial treatments, symptoms can often be controlled in about 80 percent of patients.
Clinicians and scientists at the Mind Research Network are actively working to improve the lives of people with schizophrenia. Our mission is to:
Improve the psychiatric and medical care of individuals with schizophrenia by providing:
• confidential consultation for accurate diagnosis and early detection
• expert evaluation, including structured interviews, medication and treatment evaluation, and neurocognitive testing
• ongoing assessment, including symptom monitoring and resource utilization
Educate patients, family members, the public, and fellow health professionals about treatments through:
• educational support groups for family members to improve skills for interacting with loved ones diagnosed with schizophrenia and related illnesses
• social and support groups for patients (education,smoking cessation, weight management)
• lectures for mental health care professionals and academics on schizophrenia and its treatment
Research the causes of schizophrenia and early diagnosis and prognosis through our:
• brain imaging program–sophisticated imaging techniques used to pinpoint brain regions that may be overactive or underactive in patients with schizophrenia
• genetics program–investigating possible links between genes and schizophrenia
What is the purpose of this research?
FIRST is a clinical research program designed to provide assistance to individuals who are experiencing early symptoms of psychosis or schizophrenia. The research specializes in the early diagnosis and treatment of individuals struggling with changes in their thoughts, behavior, and emotions that may be indicative of developing a serious mental illness.
What are some of the study procedures?
Participants in all our studies will be asked to complete a thorough assessment process, which will include a set of interviews, cognitive testing, genetic testing, as well as a brief medical and neurological exam. Neuroimaging participants will undergo non-invasive procedures involving MRI, MRS, and DTI technology.
Who is eligible to participate?
• People between the ages of 15 and 40 years who have experienced psychotic symptoms, which were not drug-induced, or who have been diagnosed with a psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder for less than two years
• We are also enrolling emotionally and physically healthy participants to serve as controls in our research
Additional Information
• Participation in all studies is strictly voluntary and can be discontinued at any time
• Participants generally incur no cost for study procedures and will be reimbursed for their time
• Participants who require immediate psychiatric attention will receive priority scheduling
Many of the services provided in the FIRST Program are made possible solely or partially through charitable contributions. We welcome and appreciate gifts of any size to help us continue to pursue cutting-edge research and offer patients and families the most advanced and effective care.
FIRST Investigators
Mind Research Network
• Jeremy Bockholt
• Vince Calhoun, PhD
• Vince Clark, PhD
• Chuck Gasparovic, PhD
• Kent Kiehl, PhD
• Jody Roberts, MS
Massachusetts General Hospital
• Elfar Alalsteinsson, PhD
• Corinne Cather, PhD
• Oliver Freudenreich, MD
• Don Goff, MD
• Daphne Holt M.D. PhD
• Bruce Jenkins, MD
University of Minnesota
• Dan Hanson, MD, PhD
• Sanjiv Kumra, MD
• Kelvin Lim, MD
• Chuck Schulz, MD
• Tonya White, MD
University of New Mexico
• Tara Biehl, MS
• Juan Bustillo, MD
• John Lauriello, MD
• Nora Perrone-Bizzozero, PhD For medical questions or information about becoming a research participant, please contact: Massachusetts General Hospital
617-912-7891
The University of Minnesota
612-627-4890
The University of New Mexico
505-272-9544 For more information about the FIRST Program, please contact:
The Mind Research Network
Jody Roberts, Program Manager
jroberts@mrn.org
505-272-3171
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