BTC-MIND

Seeking Participants with ADHD, Schizophrenia, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder—as well as Healthy Control Subjects

Do you have ADHD, schizophrenia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder? Or would you like to contribute to research as a healthy control subject?

ADHD, schizophrenia, and OCD are considered distinct disorders, but they share overlapping symptoms and may also share underlying brain processes. So far, little is known about what connects these disorders and what distinguishes them from one another.

In the BTC-MIND study, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), we are investigating exactly that: Using questionnaires, structured interviews, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we are exploring the similarities and differences between these three conditions—in comparison to healthy control participants. The goal is to better understand the underlying mechanisms and, in the long term, contribute to more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment.

We are looking for people …

• who have been diagnosed with ADHD, schizophrenia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder,
• as well as healthy individuals without psychiatric disorders (control group),
• who are eligible for an MRI scan.

Since part of the study takes place in the MRI scanner, individuals with the following conditions cannot participate:

• Metal implants (e.g., pacemakers, cochlear implants),
• metal or shrapnel fragments in the body,
• claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces),
• recent tattoos,
• pregnancy,
• a copper IUD.

Note on medications: Certain sedatives (benzodiazepines) may need to be discontinued for a few days (approx. 3 days) prior to the MRI scan. We will clarify the exact eligibility requirements with you in advance during a brief screening.

Participation involves a single appointment lasting about 2.25 hours, as well as various online questionnaires taking about 3 hours to complete. During the appointment, you can expect:

• a detailed information and consent session,
• structured interviews about your well-being (approx. 45–60 min),
• neuropsychological tests of memory, attention, and concentration (approx. 25–30 min),
• an MRI scan of your brain (approx. 45–50 min)
• Afterward, we’ll provide you with personalized access to online questionnaires that you can complete from the comfort of your own home.

• You are making an important contribution to research on mental illness.
• An expense allowance of 50€
• If desired, your MRI images and an evaluation of the NEO-FFI personality questionnaire

If you are interested, you can register in advance using our online questionnaire: https://soscisurvey.de/btc-mind or fill out the following contact form. 

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