Birmingham Autism, Schizotypy, and Emotions Study (BASES) 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Birmingham Autism, Schizotypy, and Emotions Study (BASES)
IRAS ID
186541
Contact name
Felicity V Larson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 27 days
Research summary
Three groups of individuals, those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and no history of psychosis (ASD-NP) (N=~50), those with first episode of psychotic illness (such as schizophrenia) (FEP) (N=~80), and those with both ASD and a history of psychosis (ASD-P)(N=~50), will be asked to complete five questionnaires. These questionnaires will measure autistic traits, schizotypal traits, empathy, emotional regulation strategies, and emotional stability, using existing, validated measures. The questionnaires will primarily be administered via an on-line site hosted by the University of Birmingham, which will also be used for the completion of a consent form. Individuals wishing to complete and return questionnaires by post will be considered to have given implied consent when they return the questionnaires.
The individuals with ASD will be recruited from a participant database at the Autism Research Centre (ARC) at the University of Cambridge. ARC maintains a list of individuals who are interested in taking part in research, and an e-mail will be sent to individuals on that list inviting them to take part. Those in the ASD-P group will be recruited from a previous research project, having all given consent to be contact in future about additional research. They will be contacted via e-mail or post, depending on their communication preference. Individuals in the psychosis group will be posted an invitation to participate, as they have taken part recently in a related project. A second group, ASD-P2, will be recruited via the ARC mailing list and via an existing research study. The ASD-P2 ARC recruitment will take the form of an e-mail to the ARC mailing list inviting those who had a diagnosis of ASD and experience of psychosis to take part. ASD-P2 recruitment from an on-going study will involve participants receiving a letter or e-mail inviting them to take part in the BASES study. All ASD-P2 participants will be screened for positive history of psychosis using a standardised interview and study pro-forma following the receipt of written informed consent. Those that meet criteria for psychosis will be invited to complete the questionnaires on-line or via post as they prefer.
The goal of the research is to understand why some individuals develop psychosis and others don’t, particularly individuals with ASD. Emotional difficulties and schizotypal traits are known to be related to vulnerability to psychosis, but have not been thoroughly explored in people with ASD.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
15/NS/0125
Date of REC Opinion
21 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion