Bipolar Remediation of Affective Instability and Negative Symptomatology (BRAINS) Study

The purpose of this study is to determine whether cognitive control of emotion can be enhanced in young adults with recent on-set Bipolar I Disorder using an iOS-based targeted cognitive training program. The study will last approximately 3 months with the majority of the study being completed in person. Participants will be compensated approximately $900 for completion of the study.

Who is eligible?

The study is recruiting individuals who meet for the diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder. In order to participate, you must:

  • Be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old

  • Have had onset of Bipolar I Disorder in the last five years

  • Have not had a psychiatric hospitalization in the 8 weeks prior to enrollment

  • Have not had a change in psychiatric medication in the 8 weeks prior to enrollment

You will be excluded from the study if you:

  • Have a major medical illness or neurological disorder, including a traumatic brain injury or seizures

  • If you have any medical issues or MRI-incompatible implants that would prevent you from receiving a MRI

What’s involved?

  • A roughly 2-hour screening, with the option of taking place in person or remotely

  • Two assessment sessions involving a personal interview, questionnaires, and computer-tasks testing memory, attention, and reasoning and problem-solving at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago

  • Two functional MRI scans at Northwestern’s downtown Center for Translational Imaging (CTI), located in downtown Chicago

  • 10 hours of online-based cognitive training that consists of playing games on an iOS device

Funding: This work is being funded by the Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation.