Ongoing Studies...

An Investigaton of Group CBT for Medication-Resistant Auditory Hallucinations
PI: David Penn, Ph.D.
Funded by: Stanley Foundation

This study is a randomized controlled trial of group CBT versus supportive therapy for individuals with chronic schizophrenia with treatment resistant auditory hallucinations.

Graduated Recovery Intervention for Early Schizophrenia
PI:David Penn, Ph.D.; Co-I: Diana Perkins, M.D., Kim Mueser, Ph.D., Robert Hamer, Ph.D.
Funded by: NIMH

This treatment development grant will support the development of a psychosocial intervention for first episode schizophrenia and is comprised of three parts: manual development, open trial, and randomized controlled trial.

Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) for Schizophrenia
PI: David Penn, Ph.D., Co-I: Dennis Combs, Ph.D.
Funded by: NIMH

This treatment development grant is Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) program, a new intervention developed for individuals with schizophrenia.

Click here to learn more about SCIT

Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) for High Functioning Autism (HFA)
PI: David Penn, Ph.D.; Co-PIs: Lauren Turner, Ph.D., and Gabriel Dichter, Ph.D.
Funded by: Autism Speaks

This treatment development grant seeks to modify SCIT for adolescents with HFA.

Enhancing the Prospective Prediction of Psychosis (PREDICT)
PI: Jean Addington, Ph.D., Diana Perkins, M.D., and Scott Woods, M.D.
Co-I: David Penn, Ph.D.
Funded by: NIMH

The purpose of this 5-year longitudinal study is to examine the factors that predict the development of psychosis in individuals at clinical high risk to develop schizophrenia.  Our lab is responsible for the development and implementation of the social cognitive and social functioning battery.

A Pilot Study of Loving Kindness Meditation for Individuals with Schizophrenia with Negative Symptoms
PI: David Penn, Ph.D., Co-I: Barbara Frederickson, Ph.D., and Ann Kring, Ph.D.
Unfunded pilot study

This pilot study will examine the feasibility and potential clinical benefits of a 6-week loving kindness workshop on mood, negative symptoms and well-being in individuals with schizophrenia with negative symptoms.

Click here to learn more about the Loving Kindness Meditation study

Oxytocin Treatment of Social Deficits and Paranoia in Schizophrenia
PI: Cort Pedersen, M.D. Co-I: Kayvon Salimi, M.D., David Penn, Ph.D., John Gilmore, M.D., and Robert Hamer, Ph.D.
Unfunded pilot study

The purpose of this pilot study is to examine whether intranasal administration of the neuropeptide Oxytocin twice daily for a 4-week period can improve social functioning (and social cognition) and decrease paranoia in individuals with schizophrenia.

Click here to see recent student dissertations

Click here to see recent student theses