1. NARSAD: How To Help: Participate in Research Studies
Disorder: Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder with auditory hallucinations or "voices". Geographic location: The study is conducted at the Department of Psychiatry of Yale University School of Medicine. However, we are recruiting patient volunteers throughout the United States and Canada. All transportation costs to and from New Haven, CT will be paid. Other keywords: Treatment-resistant symptoms, transcranial magnetic stimulation Participant compensation: $300 Time commitment required: Two to four weeks Drug trial: No Recruitment end date: June, 2003 Study Criteria: Patients ages 18-55 are sought who experience auditory hallucinations (i.e., "voices") on a daily basis. Exclusion criteria include prior history of seizures, parent or sibling with epilepsy, current or active drug abuse or alcoholism, cardiac arrhythmia. Brief Description: Our group recently completed a pilot study showing that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) reduces auditory hallucinations or "voices" when given over four days to a small brain region responsible for processing spoken speech. The current study is designed to determine if a more extended trial of TMS given over nine days can produce longer lasting improvements in hallucinations as well as other symptoms. Patients remain on their medications for the trial. Additional Information: Hospitalization at no cost is provided. The study is funded by grants from NARSAD, the DANA Foundation, the Donaghue Medical Foundation, and NIH, and has been approved by the Yale University School of Medicine Human Investigation

2. About Carman Research: John S. Carman, M.D.
Specializing in Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Social Phobia, Panic and Bipolar Disorders. No Charge. Help Is At Hand Today Today there is hope in improved treatment of psychiatric illnesses through the medications being developed for these illnesses. Carman Research works with major pharmaceutical companies in testing the effectiveness and safety of investigational medications. Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia, and Schizoaffective Disorder are prominent in our research, but we also focus on other disorders, such as Social Phobia, Panic Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder. Our facility identifies and recruits appropriate patients and monitors them during the study. If you qualify and consent to participate, there is no charge for your study medication or office visits. You are responsible for attendance at regular appointments. John S. Carman, M.D. is the medical director of Carman Research. He is highly regarded in the field of medical research, both locally and nationally. He has been active in clinical psychopharmacologic research for nearly 30 years. Dr. Carman received his medical degree from the Upstate Medical Center of the State University of New York and completed his residency training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Carman's experience includes positions as a Clinical Associate with the National Institute of Mental Health, and as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He has authored over 120 publications and national presentations, as well as a book on biological psychiatry. He has received the A.E. Bennett Award of the Society for Biological Psychiatry, the Curt P. Richter Award of the International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology and the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Dr. Carman is board certified in psychiatry.

3. British Columbia Schizophrenia Society - Victoria - Home
A non-profit society providing support and resource info to families and their ill relatives. Education and Information B.C.S.S. has an extensive library of books and videos which are helpful for families in understanding schizophrenia and its treatment from the family perspective. Brochures and other informational material are constantly updated. The latest information on schizophrenia and related issues is now available on the recently connected Internet at the B.C.S.S. office. B.C.S.S. offers four public workshops per year, e.g. Medication Compliance; Advocacy; Update of the Schizophrenia Service, Eric Martin Pavilion; and Effective Listening. Family Support Groups The Victoria branch of the B.C. Schizophrenia Society has six family support groups which meet on a monthly basis and welcome any new members in need of this type of peer support. The groups not only offer counsel and friendship but also information. The empathy found in these groups alleviates some of the isolation and frustration endured by families, especially those with a newly diagnosed member. Problem-solving techniques and information on how to gain access to the mental health services, both social and financial, are passed on by long-standing members. The family support groups encourage caregivers of those newly diagnosed to take the Family to Family Education Course. This not only fulfills their need for education on all aspects of schizophrenia, but has encouraged more couples to participate. Each family support group has a leader and a coordinator who introduces new members to the groups

Back to the Resources index page