Research

Below are some research topics we focus on at the Psychosis Research Center: 

  • Neuroimaging biomarkers: Using cutting-edge neuroimaging (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging, MRI) and neurophysiological techniques (e.g., electroencephalogram, EEG) to understand markers in the brain of psychotic and related mental disorders.  
  • Brain Stimulation: Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to help improve symptoms and facilitate smoking cessation in patients with psychotic disorders.  
  • Imaging genetics: To identify genes and gene-environment interactions that contribute to changes in the brain in psychotic disorders using a big data approach. 
  • Accelerated aging and comorbidity: To understand inflammatory, metabolic, and cardiovascular mechanisms underlying accelerated aging and elevated rates of physical comorbidity in psychotic disorders.  
  • Psychosocial factors: To understand how stress, adverse childhood experiences, and sleep impact psychosis and related disorders.  

Explore our active studies recruiting participants: 

Brain Circuits and Comorbidity 

People suffering from mental illnesses are often more likely to have other medical conditions. These 

additional illnesses are called comorbidity. The purpose of this research is to better understand how a 

mental illness in the brain may increase people’s comorbidity. The study may help doctors to develop 

better strategies to prevent and treat comorbidity in the future. 

Enrolling: patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, control participants without mental illness 

Age: 12-88 years 

Study length: about 16 hours over multiple visits 

Study components: MRI, brain wave recording (EEG), clinical assessments, computer tasks, blood vessel laser and ultrasound, sleep pattern recording, blood and saliva samples. 

Click here to fill out a screening for this study https://redcap.uth.tmc.edu/surveys/?s=ALNXPDYCYPJLHC3R

 

Circuitry-Guided Smoking Cessation in Schizophrenia 

The purpose of this study is to provide effective repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatments for nicotine addiction in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. 

Enrolling: patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder & smoking in the last one year or more and average cigarette per day ≥ 5 in the past 4 weeks. 

Age: 22-65 years 

Study length: 5-6 months including ~6 weeks of TMS treatment and follow up visits 

Study components: brain stimulation (TMS), brain wave recording (EEG), MRI, clinical assessments 

Click here to fill out a screening for this study https://redcap.uth.tmc.edu/surveys/?s=ALNXPDYCYPJLHC3R

 

Mobile Brain Body Study 

The purpose of this study is to examine how stress, sleep, and mental health are related, and the role of brain function in their relationship. 

Enrolling: patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, control participants without mental illness 

Age: 18-65 years 

Study length: 1 months including daily smartphone surveys and fitness tracking at home 

Study components: fitness tracking, smartphone surveys, MRI, clinical assessments, computer tasks, hair and saliva samples 

Click here to fill out a screening for this study https://redcap.uth.tmc.edu/surveys/?s=ALNXPDYCYPJLHC3R