2. The Houston Psychosis Research Center
  3. Research

Research

Explore our research studies that are currently recruiting participants below and click here to fill out a screening for one or more of the studies (external link)

  • Brain Circuits and Comorbidity
  • Promoting Healthy Development in Youths with a Family History of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
  • Non-Invasive Deep Brain Neuromodulation for Smoking Cessation
  • Enhancing Brain Connectivity in Schizophrenia through Neuromodulation
  • Mobile Brain-Body Study

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. 

Promoting Healthy Development in Youths with a Family History of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

The purpose of this study is to develop and examine an interventional talk therapy to promote healthy brain development in children and young adults who have any family members or extended family with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

Enrolling: Youths and young adults with any family history of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. This can include schizophrenia in a parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, siblings, half-siblings, etc.

Age: 9-25 years

Study length: ~5 months, including ~16 weeks of talk therapy and an optional follow up visit in 1 year.

Study components: weekly talk therapy, MRI, clinical assessments

Non-Invasive Deep Brain Neuromodulation for Smoking Cessation

The purpose of this study is to see how well low-intensity focused ultrasound works at helping smokers to reduce cravings and quit smoking.

Enrolling: People who have smoked cigarettes for 5 years or more

Also enrolling patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, control participants without mental illness for sub-study.

Age: 20-60 years

Study length: 4 months including 8 LIFU treatment sessions and follow up visits

Study components: low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), brain stimulation (TMS), brain wave recording (EEG), MRI, clinical assessments

 

Enhancing Brain Connectivity in Schizophrenia through Neuromodulation 

The purpose of this study is to assess the improvement in frontal white matter integrity by using intermittent theta-burst deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and its relationship with improvement in processing speed.

Enrolling: patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Age: 18-60 years

Study length: ~1 month

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

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