The purpose of this research is to study retinal imaging features in early course schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients. The goal is to determine how retinal measures and vision relate to other aspects if early course schizophrenia spectrum disorders such as brain imaging, clinical outcomes, blood-based biomarkers, etc. The findings of this study may help confirm retinal imaging biomarkers and create a vision test for early course schizophrenia diagnosis.

This study will include both individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and healthy controls. All participants will be between the ages of 18 and 60, and participants will not be able to participate if they have serious visual impairments or eye injuries.

This study involves a baseline session and a one-year follow up session. The baseline session includes a variety of tasks usually completed by the participant over the course of two consecutive days. The one-year follow up visit includes the same tasks as the baseline visit and will be completed by the participant one year later.

o Questionnaires about your psychiatric, medical, and substance use history

o Tests to examine your cognitive and visual abilities

o An MRI for brain imaging

o fERG and OCTA retinal imaging

o Blood collection for biomarker assessment

o Urine test to screen for substance use

Multiple parts of the study including the cognitive and visual assessments will be held at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Then, the study administrators will accompany the participant to their blood collection and MRI in the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center main building, and then to their OCTA retinal imaging at Massachusetts Eye and Ear.

The compensation for this study is adjusted based on how many of the tasks are completed. Participants will be compensated after completing the first two sessions and then again after completing the one-year follow up sessions.