Cognitive functioning and eye movement abnormalities in early-onset schizophrenia

About the study

Whilst the majority of those with schizophrenia develop the condition as a young adult, some will experience symptoms earlier on, which is known as ‘early onset schizophrenia’ Little is known about the cognitive and brain functioning involved in these young people.

This cutting-edge research at Kingston University London, led by Dr Vyas and her team will help understand why some young people develop this disorder early and what can be done to identify signs and symptoms earlier to delay the onset of illness and positively impact early intervention services.

What will it involve?

This research project has two parts:

1. The first part, if you choose to participate you will be asked to complete several questionnaires alongside a set of cognitive tasks, which will assess things such as memory, attention, and concentration. This study is entirely online, and you can complete the testing at a time suitable for you.

2. In the second part we are inviting several participants based in Greater London and Surrey (as well as their parent/guardian(s) back to come to Kingston University London in person (Penrhyn road campus) to take part in cutting-edge eye tracking research as part of the same study. This is completely non-invasive; it just requires you to look at a computer screen whilst a camera records your pupil movements.