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Neurobehavioral Mechanisms of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Serious Mental Illness

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.

Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study looks at how being socially isolated or feeling lonely relates to brain activity, social understanding, and motivation. It also looks at how these experiences affect daily life in people with and without serious mental illness. The listed entry rules are for adults ages 18–55 who have had a psychotic disorder or mood disorder.

The proposed research will test the hypothesis that objective social isolation and loneliness are linked to neurobehavioral mechanisms involved in social perception and motivation in individuals with and without serious mental illness. Moreover, it will investigate the specific dynamic interactions among these experiences in daily life and how they, and their neurobehavioral predictors, are linked to day-to-day functioning. The findings of this project could provide novel targets for therapeutics aimed at improving functioning and overall quality of life in individuals with serious mental illnesses, as well as quantitative phenotypes for use in early detection efforts.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • You are 18–55 years old.
  • You have had a psychotic disorder (which affects your sense of what is real) or a mood disorder (which affects your mood).

Who can't join

  • You have a neurological disorder (a condition affecting the brain or nerves).
  • You have had a substance use disorder (problems from alcohol or drug use) in the past 6 months.
  • You are not able to use English well.
  • Your medication changed recently, or you have symptoms that are sudden or severe.
  • You cannot have an MRI scan under the study’s safety rules, such as because of metal in your body, fear of tight spaces, or a past head injury.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1. 18-55 years old 2. Experienced a psychotic disorder or mood disorder Exclusion Criteria: 1. Any neurological disorder or current substance use disorder (during the past 6 months) 2. Not proficient in English 3. A recent change in medication, or an acute symptom presentation 4. Standard exclusion criteria for participation in an MRI scan (e.g., presence of metal in the body, claustrophobia, a history of head trauma).

Study sites (1)

MA