Plain-English translation of NCT04038840 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Read our Schizophrenia research guide →Phase 1 — Testing in a small group (usually 20–80 people) to find a safe dose and watch for side effects.
Researchers are using a special type of brain scan called [11C]UCB-J PET-MR imaging to take pictures of brain connections (called synapses) in people with and without schizophrenia. This imaging technique allows doctors to actually see and measure these tiny connections in a living brain for the first time, which could help explain what goes wrong in schizophrenia and lead to better ways to diagnose and treat the condition.
Scientists believe that schizophrenia may happen because the brain eliminates too many synapses (connections between brain cells) during development. This study exists to test that theory and see if people with schizophrenia truly have fewer synapses than healthy people—information that could eventually lead to new treatments and better diagnostic tools.
You likely qualify if…
You likely don't qualify if…
If you qualify, you would visit the research center for a PET-MR brain scan, which combines two types of imaging in one machine. The scan involves receiving an injection of the radioactive tracer [11C]UCB-J and then lying still inside the scanner for the imaging procedure. Researchers will compare your brain scan results to those from healthy volunteers to look for differences in synaptic density.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 29, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States