rTMS Treatment for Cannabis Use Disorders in Psychosis
Cannabis Use DisorderPsychosisCannabis use during adolescence represents a significant risk factor for the development of psychosis including schizophrenia. Moreover, cannabis is the most commonly used drug among patients with an existing psychotic disorder. An estimated 25% of patients with psychosis reportedly meet the criteria of a cannabis use disorder particularly among younger patients experiencing their first episode. Cannabis use significantly exacerbates symptomatology resulting in an increased duration of the first hospitalization visit, number of hospital readmissions, and overall reduced functional outcome. Discovering novel strategies to treat the underlying pathophysiology of cannabis dependence early in the disorder may translate into improved functional outcome. Working memory deficits have been shown to predict relapse in the first-year of psychosis and is modulated with cannabis use. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeted to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has shown tremendous promise for the treatment of both tobacco dependence and working memory impairment in patients with psychosis possibly through the modulation of gamma (30-50 Hz) oscillations. The proposed study will therefore evaluate the effect of rTMS on abstinence, working memory performance, and gamma oscillations through a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 28-day longitudinal abstinence study design in patients with early psychosis. It will further explore if baseline performance and gamma oscillations predict abstinence in response to rTMS. It is hypothesized that active compared to sham rTMS will improve abstinence rates and improve working memory performance through the modulation of gamma oscillations.
Antipsychotic Effects on Brain Function in Schizophrenia
SchizophreniaSchizoaffective Disorder1 moreThe purpose of the study is to determine whether two commonly-prescribed antipsychotic medications (aripiprazole and risperidone) have different effects on brain function and cognition in schizophrenia patients.
Safety and Tolerability of Aripiprazole in Adolescents With Schizophrenia or Children and Adolescents...
Adolescent SchizophreniaChild or Adolescent Bipolar I Disorder1 moreThis is an open-label study consisting of a screening period, a conversion/titration phase (Phase 1), an open-label treatment phase (Phase 2), and a follow-up period. The study will enroll new subjects (hereafter referred as "de novo" subjects) with schizophrenia, or bipolar I disorder, manic or mixed episode with or without psychotic features, and rollover subjects with schizophrenia from 31-09-266 (hereafter referred to as "Study 266"). All de novo subjects must enter the screening period of the study. Subjects who are screened and are not required to go through Phase 1 will complete a Phase 2 baseline visit prior to their participation in Phase 2. Study Design: Treatment, Single Group Assignment, Open Label, Active Control, Safety/Efficacy Study
Metyrosine (Demser®) for the Treatment of Psychotic Disorders in Patients With Velocardiofacial...
Velo-cardio-facial SyndromePsychosisThis is an exploratory clinical investigation. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the safety, steady-state pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of metyrosine (Demser®) for the treatment of psychosis in patients with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS).
Treatment of Schizoaffective Disorder Using Mifepristone
Psychotic DisordersDepressive Disorder2 moreThis study tests the hypothesis that mifepristone will diminish cognitive distortion and alleviate psychosis in patients with schizoaffective disorder.
Schizophrenic Patients in Integrated Care
SchizophreniaSchizoaffective Disorder1 moreThe purpose of the study is to investigate the well-being of schizophrenic patients treated with quetiapine XR combined with participation in the integrated care program compared to a treatment with quetiapine XR alone over a period of 18 month
The Effects of Rimonabant, on Weight and Metabolic Risk Factors
SchizophreniaSchizoaffective Disorder3 more1) To examine the efficacy of rimonabant in decreasing weight and metabolic parameters/cardiovascular disease risk in people with schizophrenia receiving second generation antipsychotics 2) To examine the safety and tolerability of rimonabant as an adjunctive agent for decreasing weight and metabolic risk in people with schizophrenia 3) To examine the efficacy of rimonabant for neurocognitive impairments in people with schizophrenia treated with second-generation antipsychotics (secondary outcome) 4) To examine the efficacy of rimonabant for patient perceived health outcomes and quality of life (secondary outcome) 5) To test the effect of rimonabant on cigarette smoking, nicotine dependence and nicotine craving in people with schizophrenia 6) To examine the effects of rimonabant on food satiety in people with schizophrenia There is an increasing awareness of the problem of metabolic issues in people with schizophrenia and renewed focus on physical health care for this population. There is under-treatment, in general, of medical conditions in people with schizophrenia, and increased mortality from natural causes. People with schizophrenia are at risk for developing obesity due to many factors including inactive lifestyle, poor dietary choices, and side effects of the commonly used atypical antipsychotics. Metabolic syndrome has been discussed in the cardiology and endocrinology for over two decades, but its prevalence in the mentally ill is only now being fully realized. Diabetes mellitus may be twice as prevalent among patients with schizophrenia as in the general population and metabolic syndrome is probably even more prevalent than diabetes among people with schizophrenia. There is now an opportunity to address this serious problem. A new drug, rimonabant, has recently been approved in several European and Latin American countries. This drug represents the first of a new class of psychoactive drugs witch may improve metabolic problems through decreasing appetite drive. This may also help decrease the drive for cigarette use, which is also a great problem for people with schizophrenia. Is this a safe and effective treatment in this population? This study proposes to test this question in a rapid study, which will develop the basis for future work in this important area.
Rapid Versus Conventional Titration of Quetiapine in Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective Disorder
SchizophreniaSchizoaffective Disorders1 moreThe purpose of this study is to determine whether increasing the amount (dose) of quetiapine IR (immediate release formulation) more rapidly than conventional dose increases, improves the control of symptoms as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) - a psychiatric assessment scale that measures both positive and negative symptoms - in patients with acute schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
Efficacy of Galantamine to Treat Schizophrenia
SchizophreniaPsychotic DisorderThe purpose of this study was to determine if treatment with adjunctive galantamine is effective in the reduction of functional impairments in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. It was hypothesized that adjunctive galantamine would yield clinically significant improvements from baseline to end of study on a measure of quality of life and a measure of independent living skills.
Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder With Psychotic Features.
Major Depression With Psychotic FeaturesThe purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of risperidone monotherapy in the treatment of psychotic depression. We hypothesize that risperidone is as equally as effective as haloperidol plus sertraline for depression with psychotic features