Welcome to the Schizophrenia Studies Page

VISITS: In-person assessments with 2 MRI scans

DURATION: 8 weeks

LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh - Main Campus

COMPENSATION: Up to $200

Personality, Affect, Interactions, and Risk for Suicide (PAIRS) Study - Control Arm

Are you between the ages of 18-35? Do you have no history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors? You may be able to participate in a study to understand how certain types of social interactions influence mood, decision-making, and biological responses that may contribute to risk for suicidal behaviors among young adults. Compensation is provided.

SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH: Male

DURATION: 4 months

VISITS: 3 visits (2 remote and 1 in-person)

LOCATION: Oakland and virtually

COMPENSATION: Up to $105

MEG/EEG and MRI Study of Sensory Attention - Ages 18-40 First Episode Psychosis

Are you 18-40 years old? Have you experienced hallucinations (hearing voices), paranoia, or other psychotic symptoms for the first time within the last year? If so, you may be eligible to participate in an MEG/EEG and MRI research study of perception, memory, sensory attention, and brain function. Compensation is provided.

Other Mental Health and Behavior

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland

DURATION: 14 months

VISITS: 2 visits

COMPENSATION: up to $400

Personality, Affect, Interactions, and Risk for Suicide (PAIRS) Study

Are you between the ages of 18-35? You may be able to participate in a study to understand how certain types of social interactions influence mood, decision-making, and biological responses that may contribute to risk for suicidal behaviors among young adults.

DURATION: 4 months

VISITS: 3 visits (2 remote and 1 in-person)

LOCATION: Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $105

The RAW Brain-The Effect of Rumination, Anxiety and Worry on Aging and Dementia Risk (Low Worry) Study

Are you over the age of 50 and interested in participating in a research study that will examine how anxiety and worry contribute to aspects of aging, including brain and body aging, as well as risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The results of this study will help us design therapies that address individual needs of older people with anxiety

DURATION: 2 years

VISITS: 5 visits

LOCATION: Oakland

COMPENSATION: $300

DURATION: up to 40 minutes

Research Study on Communication and Understanding in Behavioral Health

Are you 18? Have you had experience managing your mental wellness and/or interacting with behavioral health care providers? You may be eligible to participate in a research study to understand the communication between patients and their providers and how that interaction affects understanding and participation in behavioral health.

AGE: 18 and older

LOCATION: Online

COMPENSATION: NONE

REDOCS Study

Have you recently started experiencing psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations, paranoia, or confusing thoughts and disorganization? You may be eligible to participate in a research study recruiting individuals between the ages of 18 and 40 who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizophreniform, or schizoaffective disorder within the last 3 years. Compensation provided.

DURATION: several weeks

VISITS: 3 - 6 visits

LOCATION: UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital & MR Research Center, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland

COMPENSATION: up to $570

Threat Dysregulation in Adolescents at Risk for Psychosis - 18 - 20 year olds

Are you 18-20 years old and having unusual or extraordinary experiences such as hearing voices, having beliefs that other people do not share, or having difficulties concentrating and thinking clearly? You may be able to join a research study to learn more about why some young people develop these symptoms while others do not. Compensation is provided.

DURATION: 12 months (baseline visit, 6 month, and 12 month)

VISITS: 3 in-person visit and activities from home

LOCATION: By Phone, Online, & 230 McKee Place - Oakland

COMPENSATION: up to $825

Neurofeedback for Borderline Personality Disorder Study

Are you 18-55 years old and been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to find out if an intervention called neurofeedback can improve symptoms in people with borderline personality disorder. Participation involves interviews, questionnaires, and MRI scanning. Compensation provided.

DURATION: 3 months

VISITS: 4

LOCATION: Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

COMPENSATION: $230

RAW-The Effect of Rumination, Anxiety, and Worry on Aging and Dementia Risk (High Worry) Study

DURATION: 2 years

VISITS: 5 visits

LOCATION: Oakland

COMPENSATION: $300

VISITS: One interview (in-person or virtual)

Racial Disparities in Involuntary Commitments of Young Adults – Ages 18-26

Are you between the ages of 18-26 and have been involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital while under the age of 18 in Allegheny County, PA? You may be eligible for a research study to better understand what happens to young people when they experience an involuntary psychiatric commitment. Compensation is provided.

LOCATION: Pitt Community Engagement Center (Homewood or Hill District)

COMPENSATION: $50

VISITS: One interview (in-person or virtual)

Racial Disparities in Involuntary Commitments of Young Adults – Parent Arm

Are you the parent of someone who has been involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital as a minor in Allegheny County, PA? You may be eligible for a research study to better understand what happens to young people when they experience involuntary psychiatric commitment. Compensation is provided.

AGE: 18 and older

DURATION: 1 hour

LOCATION: Pitt Community Engagement Center (Homewood or Hill District)

COMPENSATION: $50

CATOS Study

Have you been diagnosed with schizophrenia or a schizoaffective disorder? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study to help investigators evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an anti-inflammatory study drug to improve the symptoms of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Eligible participants are 18-65 years old. Participation will last 12 weeks. Compensation provided.

LOCATION: Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

AGE: 18 - 65

DURATION: 12 weeks

VISITS: 6 visits

COMPENSATION: $220.00

Acetazolamide for Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia

Have you been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder? Are you between ages 18-55? You may be able to participate in a research study to test if the drug acetazolamide will improve your schizophrenia symptoms. Compensation is provided.

Remote Research

VISITS: 12 visits (in person or remote) between 1-4 hours

AGE: 18-55

DURATION: 25 weeks

LOCATION: Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) – Oakland, online, & at-home

COMPENSATION: Up to $320

7T Dissection of Antipsychotic Treatment Response - Diagnosed Population

Are you starting antipsychotic medication? Are you 18-40 years old? You may be eligible for a research study to answer specific questions about how the treatment of schizophrenia with antipsychotic medication works. Compensation is provided.

Precision Medicine

VISITS: In-person assessments with 2 MRI scans

DURATION: 24 weeks

LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh - Main Campus

COMPENSATION: Up to $320

All of Us Pennsylvania Research Program

All of Us wants at least one million people to join. Your participation can help shape the future of health for generations to come. People who join will share information. This might be about their health, habits, and what it’s like where they live. It might also be about family history and genes. By looking for patterns, researchers may learn more about what affects people’s health.

VISITS: one in person visit

LOCATION: Convenient locations throughout Pennsylvania

COMPENSATION: $25.00 gift card

PACES (Promoting Activity and Cognitive Enrichment in Schizophrenia)

Are you between ages 18-60 and diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder? Do you experience significant and persistent negative symptoms? You may be able to participate in a research study to see if CET or EST treatment is better at helping people with schizophrenia think and feel better.

VISITS: Weekly 3-hour group sessions

AGE: 18-60

DURATION: 18 months

LOCATION: Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

COMPENSATION: Up to $825

DURATION: up to 13 months

Mental Health Literacy and Treatment-seeking Behaviors in Youth - Young Adult Arm

Are you in 8th-12th grade? Do you identify as Black? You may be able to participate in a research study examining mental health literacy and treatment-seeking behaviors of Black youth. This study involves completing one online survey to better understand your understanding of mental health illness and what can be done to help other youth feel more comfortable seeking mental health treatment.

AGE: 18 years old

COMPENSATION: NONE

BEaM Study - Parent with a history of depression or bipolar disorder

Have you ever experienced symptoms of depression or bipolar disorder? Are you the biological parent of a child aged 11-14 who has mood swings, but doesn’t have bipolar disorder or depression? You and your child may be able to participate in a research study to assess the effects of two group-based interventions on emotions and mood among adolescents with a family risk for mood disorders.

VISITS: 1 virtual visit, >5 in-person visits

LOCATION: Online, Oakland and Shadyside

COMPENSATION: Yes

BEaM Study - Parent

Are you the parent of a child 11-14? Does your child have a biological parent or full biological sibling who has ever experienced symptoms of depression or bipolar disorder? You and your child may be able to participate in a research study to assess the effects of two group-based interventions on emotions and mood in adolescents with a family risk for mood disorders.

DURATION: up to 13 months

VISITS: 1 virtual visit, >5 in-person visits

LOCATION: Online, Oakland and Shadyside

COMPENSATION: Yes

Familial Pathways Study (FamPath): The Role of Inflammation and Stress in Youth Suicidal Behavior

Are you 18-30 years old and currently have depressive symptoms? You may be eligible to participate in a study to learn more about the role of biological markers of suicidality that may run in families and brain inflammation in suicidal behavior in young adults. Studies suggest increased inflammation is associated with suicidal behavior. Compensation provided.

DURATION: 12 months

VISITS: 4 visits

LOCATION: Oakland - Bellefield Towers

COMPENSATION: $750

GENEOS Research Study – Ages 18-21

Have you been diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or schizoaffective disorder? Are you between the ages of 18-21? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help better understand the causes of mental illness. Some visits may be done virtually. Compensation provided.

DURATION: About 1 year

AGE: 18 - 21

VISITS: 3 visits

LOCATION: At home & Western Psychiatric Hospital & UPMC Presbyterian Hospital (Oakland)

COMPENSATION: Up to $1,600 + parking/bus fare reimbursed