BRIDGE study;BRain Imaging, Development & GEnetics

A psychotic disorder is associated with structural and functional brain
deficits, predominantly in the frontal lobe. These deficits are thought to have
a genetic origin, but the influence of other risk factors have also been
considered. Research focusing on the early phase of the disorder in young
subjects may provide important clues in order to help understand the processes
leading up to the impairments in these higher order cognitive processes and the
associated brain abnormalities. The purpose of this study is to define the
neurobiological and neuropsychological characteristics of the pre-illness state
in children and adolescents with first and second degree relatives with
schizophrenia and children and adolescents with first and second degree
relatives with a bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls. The importance
of examining developmental trajectories is to understand and determine whether
atypical development is due to a developmental deficit or a developmental
decay. In the long run, increased understanding of the underlying causes of
psychosis and the genetic and brain processes involved in psychosis may
contribute to diagnosis, early detection and/or prediction of treatment
outcome.

The aim of the current study is to identify how increased genetic risk for
developing a psychotic disorder affects brain development by studying
neurobiological and neuropsychological, clinical an environmental markers in
first and second degree relatives of schizophrenia patients and of bipolar
patients compared to healthy controls.

A follow-up study with measurements every three years, with a maximum of four
measurements. The upcoming measurements is the 3th.

Subjects will be recruited (via the parents) in for example outpatient
departments. They will receive a written and oral explanation of the details of
all experimental procedures. All subjects (and their parents in case they are
aged younger than 18) will follow the standard procedure in clinical assessment.
o Interview (background, K-SADS, CTQ, sexting, evaluation)
o Cognition (WISC/WAIS)
o Psychical measurement (heartrate, blood pressure, anthropometrics)
o Child online questionnaire (MARIO check, YRS/ASR, SOCS, Impairment, RSES,
BFI-2, UCL-A, Life events, SDQ, MSPSS, PBI, YCOPI, Substance use, PDS, Sleep,
Sport, Media use, Body image, Sexuality, Medication use, Tips)
o Parent onsite (Interview: K-SADS about their child)
o Parent online questionnaire (Names, background, pregnancy and delivery,
LIDAS, MDQ, TiC-P, tips)
o MRI temporarily on hold, more details consult the research protocol.

MRI is temporarily paused: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan session of
approximately 50 minutes will be performed: MRI is a non-invasive technique, so
there is no need for special preparation for the subject. There are no known
risks associated with the MRI acquisition and the data are solely used for
research purposes. However, structural cerebral pathology may be noticed. If
medical treatment is indicated, the subject will be notified.
From T3 and onwards we no longer take blood samples. Blood samples will be
taken for genetic analysis and neurobiological research. On request, the skin
can be locally anesthetized prior to the venapuncture. Since the number of
blood samples is limited and the samples are small, the burden for
participating subjects is expected negligible.

Chidren and their parents will experience some benefits from our study. We will
do a secure psychiatric check up and other (neuro)psychological and biological
investigations. Children and their parents will get feedback on the results. If
the results point out that a therapy is indicated, a treatment for instance a
psychosocial therapy or psychopharmacological therapy will be offered. In the
long run, increased understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of
psychiatric illness in general and schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in
particular, may contribute to early detection and diagnoses.