Schizophrenia Treatment Services: Selected Research Projects
Cognitive Remediation for Schizophrenia
This study is designed to investigate the effects of two treatments designed
to enhance vocational outcome for patients with schizophrenia. Participants in
this study will be randomly assigned to either an extended program of cognitive
remediation training (Track A) designed to improve cognitive function, or a
computer skills vocational training program (Track B) designed to enhance
computer skills for job placement. The proposed study will build on prior
research by: (1) comparing the effects of cognitive remediation to an
alternative, more vocationally-oriented treatment program; (2) utilizing a
larger, more comprehensive assessment battery than previously reported in the
literature and (3) long-term tracking of employment success of treated patients
at a 12-month follow-up. This will be the first study, to our knowledge, to
directly assess and compare the long-term effects of cognitive remediation and
computer skills training on employment outcome as well as on standardized test
performance.
Principle Investigator: Matthew M. Kurtz, Ph.D. Co-investigators:
James C. Seltzer, Ph.D., Bruce E. Wexler, M.D.
Funded in part by the Hartford Hospital Small Grant Initiative Program
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FMRI Assessment of Treatment Response at The Institute of Living
This study is designed to employ functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
as a tool for investigating regionally-specific changes in neural activation
associated with new types of behavioral treatment for deficits in attention,
memory and problem-solving in patients with schizophrenia. As part of this
study, patients will be administered cognitive tasks during fMRI before and
after treatment in the Schizophrenia Rehabilitation Program at the Institute of
Living. Participants will be scanned a third time several months after treatment
to evaluate the stability over time of any observed changes in neural function.
Principle Investigator: Matthew M. Kurtz, Ph.D. Co-investigators: James C.
Seltzer, Ph.D., Bruce E. Wexler, M.D.
Funded by the Hartford Hospital Open Competition Grants Program.
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Predictors of Treatment
Response to Rehabilitation in Schizophrenia
This is a prospective study designed to investigate the relationships
between
symptoms, neurocognitive impairment, and treatment response to a comprehensive
rehabilitation program currently offered at The Institute of Living for patients
with schizophrenia. Study 1 will investigate the relationship of symptoms and neurocognitive variables measured at program entry to psychosocial and
vocational status measured one year later. Study 2 will investigate the
relationship of symptoms and neurocognitive variables measured at program entry
to treatment response for patients assigned to either a cognitive remediation
track or a computer skills training track as part of approved IRC protocol
#01-19 (approved 3/21/01). The study will provide new information regarding: (1)
relationships between neurocognition and symptoms to outcome after treatment,
thereby identifying patient features that need to be addressed to improve
treatment response and (2) relationships of neurocognition and symptoms to outcome
after therapeutic intervention with specific elements of an intensive rehabilitation treatment
program.
(Principle Investigator: Matthew M. Kurtz, Ph.D.; Consultants: James C. Seltzer, Ph.D., John Goethe, M.D., Morris Bell, Ph.D.,
Bruce E. Wexler, M.D.)
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