Brain Imaging of Cognition Inn Schizophrenia and Depression

Summary

Schizophrenia and depression are among the most disabling disorders in all of medicine. Cognitive deficits play a key role in patients' disability, affecting their capacity to contribute actively to society by sustaining employment or academic activity. Moreover, cognitive difficulties tend to persist even after the stabilization of other clinical symptoms. Verbal memory and emotion regulation are two important cognitive domains that are impaired in schizophrenia and depression and are associated with patients' functional outcomes. In this study, we are using brain imaging to investigate the brain mechanisms underlying these cognitive deficits in these populations.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* age 18-65 years
* current Intelligence Quotient (IQ) \> 70 as measured by the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI)
* the ability to read and speak fluent English
* a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective or major depression disorder
* stable medication for more than one month

Exclusion Criteria:

* significant neurological or other medical disorders that may produce cognitive impairment
* a recent history of substance abuse or dependence (within the past 3 months)
* any magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contraindications (e.g. metallic head implant, history of seizure, pacemaker)
* decisional incapacity requiring a guardian
* taking medications that are rated as Anticholinergic Burden (ACB) Score 3 (severe) or taking benzodiazepines on a daily basis

Conditions3

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