Randomized Clinical Trial of Intensive Computer-based Cognitive Remediation in Recent-onset Schizophrenia

Participation in this study will last approximately 12 months and will involve individuals
with recent-onset schizophrenia. All participants will undergo baseline assessments that
will include an interview, written tests, blood draws, and electroencephalogram (EEG) and
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Participants will then be assigned randomly to
receive treatment with either computerized neuroadaptive cognitive training or commercially
available computer games. Participants will be asked to complete 60-minute sessions of
their assigned treatments 5 days per week for 8 weeks. For participants receiving cognitive
training, exercises will focus on improving speed and accuracy in the perception of and
response to verbal and visuospatial targets. The 8 weeks of treatment will focus on
targeted cognitive training (TCT). Participants assigned to practice computer games will
play standard commercially available games, with no targeted response.

Participants will repeat baseline assessments after the computer training and Month 6 of
follow-up. The EEG and MRI will be repeated only at post training assessment visit. There
will be a blood draw at Week 2 of treatment as well. After the Month 6 assessment,
participants in the control condition will be offered an opportunity to complete an
additional 8 weeks of computer training with different modules.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizophreniform, or schizoaffective disorder

- First psychotic episode within the last 3 years

- Good general physical health

- Age between 12-35

- Is fluent and proficient in the English language

- Achieved clinical stability (e.g., outpatient status for at least 3 months before
study entry; on stable doses of medication for at least 1 month before study entry

- Minors must have parental/legal guardian consent to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

- Any neurological disorder

- History of psychoactive substance abuse in the past 6 months