Negative affect (”Fragile brain”) is an important component of schizophrenia (and other psychotic disorders), and this affect may be related to GABA dysfunction. To test the role of GABA in early psychotic illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder), we will assess MFC GABA concentration in psychosis spectrum patients with MRS. We will also test the hypotheses that while viewing affective stimuli, patient groups will show increased blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal by fMRI after lorazepam.

A critical fact about TMS is that effects are highly state-dependent. In spite of what is known about the state-dependency of TMS, most cognitive control studies have examined neural effects of TMS delivered ‘offline’(prior to neuroimaging) to a brain at rest, but virtually no work has examined offline, persisting effects of TMS delivered while a person is engaged in a task. To address this critical gap, we use TBS in combination with fMRI scans to examine the effects of TBS on specific brain networks and the interaction between TBS and mental state.

The purpose of this study is to test whether combining a type of non-invasive brain stimulation (called transcranial direct current stimulation or tDCS) with computerized cognitive exercises is helpful in improving working memory among people with mental health conditions. Adults (age 18-65) with diagnoses of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder are eligible to participate. For those who enroll, the study involves 10 visits to the clinic to do cognitive exercises and either active or inactive brain stimulation. Participants also complete paper-and-pencil assessments before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention. Participation lasts about 6-8 weeks altogether. Compensation is provided.

The RAISE (Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode) research project showed that Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) treatment programs for young people in the initial phases of psychotic disorders deliver superior clinical outcomes compared to usual care. To extend work done with the RAISE project and enhance the effectiveness of CSC, we will compare the standard in-person care with video-conference telehealth, an alternative delivery method that may enhance treatment engagement, in a randomized pilot trial. We will also use a mobile technology-based intervention that our telehealth psychosis participants will use to complete surveys to help us monitor their symptoms between visits and alert clinicians to symptom worsening. Clinicians will be able to see their patient’s data in real-time on a secure web-based dashboard designed and implemented during the study.