The Learning Study

 

What does it mean?
Learning, reasoning and motivation in psychosis and individuals at risk of psychosis.

What is is about?
In this study, we are interested in the links between biology and psychology in psychosis. In particular, we are  interested in one of the naturally occurring chemicals in the brain, called dopamine. Over activity in the brain's dopamine system is thought to lead to abnormal experiences, such as suspicious and delusional ideas.
We want to study how dopamine disturbances can cause problems in learning and give rise to experiences like suspiciousness. We are testing the theory that the link between dopamine and psychosis relates to dopamine's role in learning about important events: when this is disturbed, it could lead to a person reading importance into something irrelevant. We believe the study will help us understand psychosis and it's treatment better. 

Who is undertaking the research? Professionals involved? 
Graham Murray and Azucena Justicia, who are researchers at the University of Cambridge and Honorary Consultant and Honorary Mental Health Nurse in Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust. Other professionals involved in this study are Anna Ermakova, a postgraduate student, Professor Peter Jones and Professor Paul Fletcher from Cambridge University and CAMEO.

Where is it happening?
Recruitment from Cambridgeshire (CAMEO North and South). The study takes place in Cambridge University facilities on the Addenbrooke's Hospital campus.

Who is funding it? Orginisations involved?
The funding for the projects comes from the Medical Research Council and Department of Health.

How long is it going for? When did it start?
It started in 2009 and is expected to be finished in 2012.

How do you gather your information?
The study involves a brain scan called a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan, and an interview, some questionaires and some tests to examine cognitive function.

What sort of clients are you working with?
First Episode Psychosis clients who are not taking antipsychotic medication and ARMS clients. In addition we wil study a group of healthy control participants. 

What's in it for them?
£60 - £75 for 3 hrs approx. plus travel expenses.

Why is CAMEO invloved?
Understanding more about psychosis is good for people with psychosis, their families and for mental health staff. In practical terms, the study also pays for clinical time of Graham Murray and Azucena Justicia.

Contact details:
Graham Murray (gm285@cam.ac.uk) 01223 764678
Anna Ermakova (ae303@cam.ac.uk) 07909 041495