Participation in the PAARTNERS Study

    What are we studying?
        Schizophrenia is a devastating mental illness that causes much pain and suffering and
        even mortality.  It can cause severe disturbances in a person's mood, beliefs, and perceptions.
        Schizophrenia is quite common, afflicting over 1% of adults worldwide.

        We are doing research to investigate why people get this illness.  In particular, we are trying
        to identify the gene or genetic factors that may make a person more likely to become ill with
        this disease.  Genes are tiny chemical structures in our cells that determine traits such as eye
        color, hair color, or height.  Many illnesses, including schizophrenia, are passed on from
        generation to generation by genes.

        Why are we doing this research?
        Doing this study will help us to understand what causes this terrible illness, and, more
        specifically, what genes are important in this disease in African Americans.  Knowing what
        causes a disease will inevitably help us recognize and treat it in the future.

        Who is paying for this research?
        This study is sponsored by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.

        Who can participate?
        African Americans diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder Depressed Type,
        or Schizoaffective Bipolar Type AND their relatives may participate in the PAARTNERS Study.  
        Relatives with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, as well as relatives who do not have these
        illnesses, may qualify.

        A large number of African American participants are required for the research to be useful.
        To succeed, we need you to help by participating in the study.  You and your family members
        are the most important partners in this research.

        What will I be asked to do if I choose to participate?
        We ask each participant to complete some or all of the following, depending on eligibility:
        (Please ask our staff for details.)

        - A clinical interview and/or family history of illness
        - A series of computerized and pen and paper tests of memory, coordination, and attention
        - To provide a small sample of blood

        Why should I and my family members participate?
        Schizophrenia occurs in people of all cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds.  Whether
        someone is prone to schizophrenia is partly due to genetic risk factors.  In other words,
        the illness can run in families.  The genetic factors in schizophrenia have not been studied
        in the African American population.  A similar study is already being done in the Caucasian
        and Asian populations.  Taking part in research to help understand the causes of schizophrenia
        may give you personal satisfaction since this study will be helpful to future generations of
        African Americans.

        Will I need to travel?
         If you live in Memphis, you will come to our office at the University of Tennessee.  If you
         are unable to do so, other arrangements can be made.  In some cases, we will travel
         outside of the Memphis area in order to carry out the research.

        Will this cost me anything?  
        No.  There is no charge to participate in this research study.

        What else should I know? 
        We do NOT interfere with your medical treatment.  There is no need to change doctors
        or medications.

        All information is kept strictly confidential.

        6 to 8 weeks after a participant completes the study, he or she will receive a check
        for $100.00.

        Please call us if we can answer any other questions about the study for you:

                  901-448-2027

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