NCT06745479 · Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Decision-Making in Schizophrenia: A Combined Neuroimaging and Experience Sampling Study
What this study is about
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if attention and ways of thinking impact decision-making and brain processes related to decision-making in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder relative to people without either condition. It will also learn how brain functioning during decision-making relates to real-world decisions made during daily life.
View original scientific description
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if attention and ways of thinking impact decision-making and brain processes related to decision-making in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder relative to people without either condition. It will also learn how brain functioning during decision-making relates to real-world decisions made during daily life. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does paying attention to specific information impact decision-making and brain processes? * Does thinking in a certain way according to specific 'thinking strategies' improve brain processes related to decision-making? * Does brain functioning during decision-making relate to real-world choices to engage in activities? Researchers will compare brain functioning and decision-making on computer tasks of gambling after participants have been trained to use a positive thinking strategy. They will compare what is different in the brain and behavior when participants use this strategy and when they do not. Participants will also answer brief surveys about activities and feelings for a week in their daily lives. Participants will: * Complete several hours of clinical interviewing, cognitive tests, and surveys of about symptoms, experiences, and personality * Complete computer tasks about gambling decisions during MRI brain scanning and while having their visual attention measured using eye-tracking * Complete brief surveys about their activities and feelings 5 times a day for 1 week using a cell phone. Each survey only take several minutes.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Positive Emotion Upregulation
Participants will identify personal goals or activities that they would like to engage in more and describe these goals/activities in a written format with research staff. Participants will then complete a gambling task during functional MRI scanning. Prior to making some gambling decisions, participants are instructed to mentally imagine achieving a goal or engaging in an enjoyable activity. Prior to the other decisions participants are instructed to respond naturally (i.e., not use the cognitive strategy).
Primary outcome measures
Nucleus Accumbens Brain Activation
Time frame: Single timeframe during 1.5 hours of MRI scanning and behavioral task completion.
Brain activation in the nucleus accumbens (ventral striatum) measured via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on trials that are preceded by the cognitive regulation strategy relative to trials without the cognitive regulation strategy.
Gambling Choice Behavior
Time frame: Single timeframe during 1.5 hours of MRI scanning and behavioral task completion.
Risky reward pursuit, defined as gamble choices on trials that are preceded by the cognitive regulation strategy relative to trials without the cognitive regulation strategy.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- The following criteria apply to all subjects:
- Between ages of 18-50.
- Have capacity to provide informed consent
- Fluent communication in English
- Willingness and ability to follow study requirements, as evidenced by an ability to provide written or virtual informed consent and read, and complete, study procedures.
- Cognitive ability to understand tasks and estimated IQ greater than 70. The following criteria apply to subjects with schizophrenia: 1\. Primary diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder The following additional criteria apply to subjects without schizophrenia: 1\. Inclusion based on subject matched to psychiatric group based on age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education level.
Exclusion criteria
- The following criteria apply to all subjects:
- Self-disclosed or noticeable intoxication from alcohol or illicit drugs (e.g., arriving to participate in the study drunk/high)
- Self-disclosure of consistent current substance use other than nicotine, alcohol, or cannabis (e.g. cocaine, heroin).
- Many-year history of severely disordered substance use other than nicotine/tobacco (determined via interview)
- Significant physical health disorder, robust physical health conditions, neurological disease/disorder (e.g., Parkinson's, history of strokes).
- History of traumatic brain injury, head injury resulting in loss of consciousness for an extended duration or with noted neurobehavioral consequences.
- Electroconvulsive therapy within one month of participation.
- History of seizures or epilepsy.
- Currently untreated or unstable psychiatric and medical conditions.
- Intellectual disability
- Contra indications for MR imaging (detailed below) The following additional criteria apply to subjects without schizophrenia:
- Pervasive history of problematic substance use (other than nicotine, alcohol, and mild-moderate cannabis use) as defined by meeting DSM-5 criteria for a substance use disorder.
- Diagnosis of, or first-degree relative with, significant psychiatric disorder (e.g., bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, or Cluster A personality disorder).
Where
- Piscataway, New Jersey
Collaborators
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Mar 11, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations