Identification and Treatment of the Liability to Develop Schizophrenia

Identification and Treatment of the Liability to Develop Schizophrenia

This study seeks to determine whether adult, non-psychotic, first-degree relatives of schizophrenic patients who show specific neurocognitive deficits and negative symptoms will show improvements in these areas following a 6-month, double-blind trial of a low dose (up to 2.0 mg) of risperidone.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having at least one first-degree biological relative with schizophrenia and their age is between 19 and 59.
• Desire to participate in a medication trial.
• Is able to provide informed consent.
• Having moderate levels of negative symptoms, defined as 6 items rated 3 or higher on the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS).
• Scoring two or more standard deviations below normal in at least one of three cognitive domains: vigilance/working memory, long-term verbal memory, and executive functions.
• Scoring at least one standard deviation below normal in a second cognitive domain.

Exclusion Criteria:

• IQ less than 80.
• Formal education less than 10 years.
• History of psychotic disorders.
• History of treatment with an antipsychotic medication.
• A substance abuse diagnosis within 6 months of diagnosis.
• A head injury with documented loss of consciousness exceeding 5 minutes (or subsequent cognitive deficits).
• A history of neurologic disease or damage.
• A medical condition with significant cognitive sequelae.
• A history of electroconvulsive treatment.