Informed consent in medication-free schizophrenia research

David J Moser; Rebecca L Reese; Susan K Schultz; Michelle L Benjamin; Stephan Arndt; Frank W Fleming; Nancy C Andreasen

doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.162.6.1209

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Informed consent in medication-free schizophrenia research

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Informed consent in medication-free schizophrenia research

David J Moser, Rebecca L Reese, Susan K Schultz, Michelle L Benjamin, Stephan Arndt, Frank W Fleming and Nancy C Andreasen

The American journal of psychiatry, Vol.162(6), pp.1209-1211

06/2005

DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.162.6.1209

PMID: 15930073

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Abstract

The authors' goal was to determine whether people with schizophrenia experience changes in decisional capacity when their antipsychotic regimens are discontinued for research purposes. Capacity for informed consent for research, neuropsychological performance, and psychiatric symptoms were assessed before and after discontinuation of antipsychotic medication in 10 individuals with schizophrenia. Overall, participants showed minimal change on most measures during the medication-free interval, although their reasoning ability declined significantly. All participants who demonstrated adequate understanding of study procedures at enrollment retained this capacity throughout the study. Participants in medication-free schizophrenia research do not show a major decline in decisional capacity. However, the apparent decline in reasoning ability found in this study is of concern and underscores the need for both additional research on this topic and the development of remediational interventions aimed at enhancing this aspect of decisional capacity.

Decision Making

Humans

Neuropsychological Tests - standards

Male

Schizophrenic Psychology

Patient Selection

Mental Competency - standards

Cognition Disorders - diagnosis

Psychiatric Status Rating Scales

Research Subjects - psychology

Schizophrenia - diagnosis

Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use

Adult

Female

Informed Consent - standards

Schizophrenia - drug therapy

Cognition Disorders - psychology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Informed consent in medication-free schizophrenia research
Creators: David J Moser - Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. david-moser@uiowa.edu
Rebecca L Reese
Susan K Schultz
Michelle L Benjamin
Stephan Arndt
Frank W Fleming
Nancy C Andreasen
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The American journal of psychiatry, Vol.162(6), pp.1209-1211
DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.162.6.1209
PMID: 15930073
NLM abbreviation: Am J Psychiatry
ISSN: 0002-953X
eISSN: 1535-7228
Publisher: United States
Grant note: R03 MH-64535-01 / NIMH NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 06/2005
Academic Unit: Psychiatry; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Biostatistics; Nursing; Injury Prevention Research Center; Medicine Administration; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984003992702771

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