Efficacy of Cognitive Remediation in Patients With Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder Stabilized...
SchizophreniaThe investigators hypothesize that cognitive remediation will be superior to the active control group on the change from baseline to study end point of cognitive remediation phase on both co-primary outcome measures (standardized composite MATRICS score and Cognitive Assessment Interview).
Yoga and Aerobic Exercise in Psychosis
Psychotic DisorderThe current study aims to evaluate the impacts of yoga and aerobic exercise on neuro-cognitive function, symptoms and brain changes in early psychosis. A total of 120 female subjects who aging from 18-55 years old, and diagnosed with psychotic disorders within the past 5 years, will be randomized into 3 groups: 1) yoga therapy, 2) aerobic exercise, and 3) waitlist group as the control. All groups will try to be kept consistent with their medication with no more than 25% change in their entry level dosage for at least six weeks. The primary outcomes of the present study will be neuro-cognitive changes; the secondary outcomes will be changes of brain structure and function.
A Study Evaluating Lurasidone for The Treatment of Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder in...
SchizophreniaSchizoaffective DisorderLurasidone (lurasidone HCl) is a novel psychotropic agent that is being developed as a potential new antipsychotic treatment for patients with schizophrenia. Switching between antipsychotic medications is common in the treatment of schizophrenia. The current study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of switching clinically stable, but symptomatic outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder from their preswitch antipsychotic medication to lurasidone, over a period of 6 weeks.
A Study of Subjects Switched to Lurasidone for the Treatment of Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective...
SchizophreniaSchizoaffective DisorderLurasidone (lurasidone HCl) is a novel psychotropic agent that is being developed as a potential new antipsychotic treatment for patients with schizophrenia. Switching between antipsychotic medications is common in the treatment of schizophrenia. The purpose of this study is to characterize the long-term safety and tolerability of lurasidone in subjects with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and to allow for continued treatment for subjects completing the core study (D1050289-NCT01143077).
A Comparison of Long-acting Injectable Medications for Schizophrenia
SchizophreniaSchizoaffective DisorderThe purpose of this research study is to compare the "real-world" effectiveness of two FDA-approved and widely used long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications (paliperidone palmitate and haloperidol decanoate) in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who are expected to benefit from the improved medication compliance associated with injectable medications. The goal is to evaluate the effects of the medications on outcomes of importance to patients (relapse, symptoms, adverse effects, functioning) as well as policy makers (all of the above plus costs).
A Large Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of a Multi-element Psychosocial Intervention...
PsychosisMulti-element interventions for first-episode psychosis (FEP) are promising but have mostly been conducted on non epidemiologically representative samples in experimental settings, raising the risk thereby of underestimating the complexities involved in treating onset psychosis in "real world" services. The PIANO Trial (Psychosis early Intervention and Assessment of Needs and Outcome) is part of a more broad-based research program (Genetics, Endophenotype and Treatment: Understanding early Psychosis - GET UP) and aims to: 1) test, at 9 months, the effectiveness, as compared to treatment as usual (TAU) of multi-component psychosocial intervention on a large epidemiologically-based cohort of FEP patients and their family members recruited from a 10 million inhabitant catchment area; 2) identify barriers that may hinder its feasibility and patient/family conditions that can render this type of treatment ineffective or inappropriate; 3) identify clinical, psychological, and environmental and service predictors of treatment effectiveness in FEP. Study participants will be recruited from Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) operating for the Italian National Health Service and located in several Northern and Central Regions of Italy. The GET UP PIANO Trial has a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled design, which is considered the gold standard approach for trials that evaluate complex interventions implemented at the institutional level, with the aim of improving health. The assignment units (clusters) are the CMHCs, and the units of observation and analysis are the Centers' patients and their family members. Patients in the experimental group will receive TAU plus: (a) Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) sessions, (b) psycho-educational sessions for family members, and c) a case manager, to serve as the patient's referent. Patient enrollment will take place over a 1 year interval, after a 3 month-long piloting. The fidelity of the experimental interventions and the characteristics of TAU will be regularly monitored. Several psychopathological, psychological, functioning and service use variables will be assessed at baseline and 9 month follow-up by independent evaluators. Assuming an expected incidence rate of 17/100.000 per year for functional psychoses (as previously estimated in Italy), the investigators expect to recruit about 800 patients, and 600 relatives. Assuming an attrition rate of about 50%, the size of the trial would detect at 9 months a difference in terms of primary outcome from 25% for the TAU arm to 10% for the intervention arm, with a power of 80%.
Oxytocin Treatment of Social Cognitive and Functional Deficits in Schizophrenia
SchizophreniaSchizoaffective DisorderPurpose: Test whether intranasal administration of the neuropeptide, oxytocin, improves social cognition, psychotic symptoms and social functioning in schizophrenia. Participants: 80 adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder for at least one year. Procedures (methods): Oxytocin or placebo will be administered twice daily in an intranasal spray for 12 weeks. Before, during and at the end of the trial, each subject will undergo psychiatric symptom ratings and tests of mental abilities used in social functioning, cognition, and social competence.
Effects of Pravastatin on Cholesterol, Inflammation and Cognition in Schizophrenia
SchizophreniaSchizoaffective Disorders1 moreThis study involves people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, who are currently taking antipsychotic medications. Some antipsychotic medications may cause an increase in cholesterol levels, which may lead to inflammation in the body. Inflammation poses a risk in developing heart disease, diabetes and problems with brain function. The purpose of this study is to see if pravastatin can: Lower cholesterol Decrease inflammation Improve cognition in patients with schizophrenia
A Study of the Safety and Tolerability of Oral Ziprasidone in Children and Teens With Psychotic...
SchizophreniaBipolar Disorder1 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of oral ziprasidone in children and teens with psychotic disorders
Varenicline Treatment in Alcohol and Nicotine Dependent Patients With Schizophrenia
SchizophreniaSchizoaffective Disorder2 moreThe aim of the proposed pilot study is to find out whether varenicline (ChantixTM) treatment decreases alcohol use and smoking in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Varenicline may also improve cognition (memory and concentration) and negative symptoms (e.g. poor attention, poverty of speech, apathy, affective flattening, anhedonia) in patients with schizophrenia and comorbid nicotine and alcohol dependence.