Invitation...
We would like to invite you to take part in this research study (described below) currently being run at the Clinical Research Centre, Royal Cornhill Hospital. We are currently loooking for individuals aged 34-65 to take part, and all volunteers will be paid £10 for their time. Taxis to/from the testing centre can also be arranged. You will be included in a healthy control group, who have no diagnosis of major mental illness.


What is the background and purpose of this study?
We are trying to understand why some people develop schizophrenia and related disorders. At present no one knows why this happens making the search for better treatments difficult. We already have over 700 patients and a similar number of unaffected people who have taken part in a previous study. Using blood samples we are currently analyzing the tiny genetic differences that are found to occur between one individual and another and trying to try to find out if these genetic variations are involved in risk of schizophrenia and related disorders.

In this study we want to examine eye-tracking patterns and neuropsychological performance in patients who were previously recruited and compare the results with unaffected control subjects. We want to identify patterns that may predict who is most at risk of developing major mental illness. This is known as a ‘trait marker’. We would also like to examine differences in the eye-tracking patterns and neuropsychological performance of patients with different diagnoses and subtypes, and compare this to their genetic material. This will help us to identify which genes play a role in mental illness.


What will I be asked to do if I agree to take part in the study?
You will be asked to come to the Royal Cornhill Hospital at a convenient time. One of the research team will meet with you to conduct some neuropsychological tests e.g. tests examining your memory, learning and problem-solving skills. We will then ask you to sit in a chair in front of a computer and view some pictures. While you view the pictures, your eye movements will be recorded by a small camera mounted below the screen. There will also be tasks to follow a moving target on the screen. In total, testing sessions last approximately 2 hours.


How do I sign up?
If you are interested in taking part in this study, please contact Lizzie at elizabeth.shephard.05@aberdeen.ac.uk or 01224 557955.

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