Research Opportunity

This research study is about why some people become ill with certain illnesses and others do not. Doctors and scientists have learned that genes, or factors that you inherit from your parents and pass on to your offspring, may play a role. We are interested in finding genetic factors that contribute to certain illnesses, including schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder (BD), Psychosis, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as well as general illnesses and human traits.

If you take part in the research, you will be asked to complete questionnaires and/or an interview and give a small sample of blood (about 2-5 tablespoons). You only need to give the blood one time, but it is a necessary part of your participation in the study. If you are unable to give a small blood sample, a saliva (spit) sample may be acceptable. The interview and blood/saliva donation should take about 75-100 minutes complete for cases. Individuals identified as controls and thus not completing an interview should take about 30-60 minutes to complete.
Possible harms or burdens of taking part in the study may include breach of confidentiality is a potential risk of harm, but a data security plan is in place to minimize such a risk. Confidential data will be collected as part of this study. Also, some questions may make you feel uncomfortable. If that happens, you can skip those questions or withdraw from the study altogether. There may be some minor discomfort or pain associated with collecting a blood specimen. Some participants may experience minor local bruising or brief lightheadedness. No greater than minimal risks are associated with this procedure, even if you are pregnant. If you give a saliva sample, there may be some minor discomfort in producing enough saliva. There are no direct benefits to you for taking part in this research. You will be contributing to knowledge about illnesses and general human traits. You will receive $25.00 in cash for participating as an unaffected individual and $50.00 in cash for participating as an affected individual. The difference in amount reflects the added time and effort required for a psychiatric interview

An alternative to taking part in the research study
Your alternative to taking part in the research study is not to take part in it.

Who may take part in this study?
 Individuals who meet lifetime diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar disorder and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder and are age 7 years or older.
or
 Individuals reporting no lifetime symptoms indicative of psychosis or mania and who have no first or second-degree relatives with these symptoms.