Decision-Making in Schizophrenia: A Combined Neuroimaging and Experience Sampling Study

This study aims to identify how attention and different ways of thinking impact decision making and brain activity. We are specifically examining how these factors differ between individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and individuals who do not have these conditions. We are also investigating how brain functioning during decision-making tasks correlates with real-world decisions recorded in everyday life. This ongoing study utilizes functional MRI brain imaging, eye-tracking, and daily event-sampling self-reports to identify whether there are differences in decision-making tendencies between groups of participants.

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:

• Primary diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

The following additional criteria apply to subjects without schizophrenia:

• 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).