OVERVIEW

Specific goals of the NIMH MATRICS are:

To catalyze regulatory acceptance of cognition in schizophrenia as a target for drug registration.

To promote development of novel compounds to enhance cognition in schizophrenia.

Leverage economic research power of industry to focus on important but neglected clinical targets.

Identify lead compounds and if deemed feasible, support human proof of concept trials for cognition in schizophrenia.

The activities of the MATRICS include:

Holding 6 Consensus-Oriented Conferences

Identifying Cognitive Targets and Establishing Criteria for Test Selection - April 14-15, Bolger Center, MD.

Neuropsychopharmacological Approaches to Modulating Cognition in Schizophrenia.

Evaluating Tests/Batteries Against Criteria and Recommending a Consensus Battery.

Medication Development Programs to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia: Opportunities and Issues for Government/Industry/Academic Collaboration.

Clinical Trial Designs for Studying Neurocognition.

New Approaches to Assessing and Improving Cognition in Schizophrenia.

Interviewing 75-100 large and small pharmaceutical companies and developing an issue paper outlining options for government/industry collaboration.

Developing a data-base of lead compounds of potential utility in human cognition augmentation trials.

Developing an issue paper to define options for creation and management of cognition trial network.

Designing and conducting one or more proof of concept trials (should sufficiently promising lead compounds be identified).