Contribute to advancing knowledge
The advances we’ve made to date, as well as our future scientific discoveries, depend on our ability to partner with individuals with early psychosis or clinical high-risk symptoms and their families in our research.
Why participate in research?
Here are 5 reasons.
1. Advance knowledge: You’ll contribute to the advancement of research about early psychosis and its treatment.
2. Understand worrisome experiences: You’ll receive a detailed clinical interview with results to help you understand worrisome experiences you may be experiencing. With your permission, these results can also be shared with your family or clinician to optimize your treatment.
3. Get a picture of your brain: Some studies include a brain MRI scan, so we can provide you with a picture of your brain. If we see something unusual (which is rare), we will consult with a neuroradiologist and share results with you.
4. You'll be paid. You’ll get compensated for your research participation.
5. It's free. Any assessments or treatments you receive are free of charge.
Our ongoing studies, including clinical treatment trials, are open to eligible individuals regardless of health insurance status. If you're interested in participating in any of our ongoing research studies, contact our team or use the mental health screener to see if you may be eligible.
Studies that are actively recruiting
Understanding Prodromes and Lessening Illness in Family Therapy (UPLIFT)
UCSF Path Program joins UPLIFT, a family treatment study for teens and young adults (ages 13-25 years) showing early symptoms indicating risk for psychosis. The Path Program is collaborating with seven university-based early psychosis clinics in North America to make advances in family-focused treatments for young people at clinical high risk for psychosis.
This study tests the idea that effective prevention and treatment involves working with the whole family, not just the person affected. Through mental health education, communication enhancement training, and problem-solving skills training, the treatment program aims to prevent young people from developing more severe forms of psychosis and to improve their functioning.
Psychosis Risk Outcomes Network (ProNET)
UCSF Path Program joins the National Institutes of Mental Health’s (NIMH) Accelerating Medicines Partnership® (AMP®)* focused on the development of promising therapies for those at risk of developing psychosis, including schizophrenia (SCZ).
The AMP-SCZ public-private partnership brings together NIMH, US Food and Drug Administration, pharmaceutical companies, non-profit organizations, and two networks of university-based clinical research programs across the world, to discover better ways to identify and treat young people at clinical high risk for psychosis. UCSF is one of 26 participating U.S.-based ProNET sites.
Improving Brain Function with a Ketogenic Diet
Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Baszucki Brain Research Foundation (BBRF), this clinical
trial tests the idea that a ketogenic diet can improve brain function in people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Recent evidence suggests that ketogenic diets, low in carbohydrates and high in fat and protein, can improve dynamic neural network instability by inducing a metabolic state known as ketosis.
We will test the benefits of a ketogenic diet by directly examining brain function with state-of-the-art brain imaging in a controlled trial. Study participants will receive 4 weeks (NIMH) or 4 months (BBRF) of free ketogenic meals. They study also involves brain imaging (MRI) and cognitive testing before and after the ketogenic trial.
Interested in participating? Call us at (415) 562-4334 or take our survey to determine eligibility.
* ACCELERATING MEDICINES PARTNERSHIP and AMP are registered service marks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.