Active clinical trials for "Schizophrenia"

Patients with schizophrenia have problems in thinking, known as cognitive dysfunction. This appears to be responsible for their difficulties in social and occupational functioning. One particular cognitive function that may be important for schizophrenia is called context processing. This refers to the ability to properly use information in the environment to guide thinking and behavior so that it is appropriate to the present circumstance. Problems with this function may explain why patients with schizophrenia think and act in unusual ways, and often have problems managing aspects of their lives that healthy adults take for granted. This cognitive function depends on a region of the brain called the prefrontal cortex, which shows impaired function in schizophrenia as well. Unfortunately, the biochemical aspects of this dysfunction are presently unknown, and it is not clear whether current psychiatric medications can improve this function. A recent FDA-approved medication that may improve this function is modafinil. Studies in animals and healthy adults show that this medication can improve cognitive functions which are related to context processing. We plan to study the effects of modafinil on context processing and the brain activity that underlies this function. We will use functional MRI and electrophysiology to examine the effects of modafinil, both after a single dose and after sustained (4 week) treatment. We predict that when patients receive modafinil they will perform better on cognitive tests and have improved activity in the regions of the brain that are responsible for these cognitive processes.

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of quetiapine fumarate (Seroquel) with daily dose 600mg-750mg used as mono-therapy in the treatment of acute schizophrenic patients by evaluation of the change from baseline in PANSS total score at Day 56 using the last observation carried forward (LOCF) method.

In the current study we will study the effect of adding shiatsu treatment to conventional therapy in work with hospitalized schizophrenic patients. The hypotheses of this study are several: Shiatsu can improve the patients' symptoms Shiatsu can ameliorate neuromuscular side effects produced by standard anti-psychotic treatment Shiatsu can provide patients with tools to deal with the stresses of their illness 2. Methodology We propose an open pilot study in which a total of 20 patients of both sexes will be enrolled. These patients will be drawn from the inpatient psychiatric wards at Herzog Hospital. Upon inclusion into the trial, all participants will receive shiatsu treatment, consisting of two individual weekly 40-minute shiatsu treatment sessions for four weeks. Provider and patient will be of the same gender. Standard pharmacotherapy will be provided as needed during the treatment period. Medication and dosage will not be changed. If necessary, benzodiazepines will be administered as required. Outcome measures: The following assessments will be included: Medication: Use of SOS benzodiazepines Clinical rating scales: PANSS, CGI, NOSIE, Hamilton Scales for depression and anxiety 1. Side effect scales: Simpson Angus Scale, AIMS scale, UKU scale 2. Neurophysiological testing: Prepulse inhibition (PPI). 3. Neurocognitive testing: This will be performed using the NIMH's Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery for Clinical Trials.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of atomoxetine (Strattera™) on prefrontal cognitive functioning in persons with schizophrenia. Secondarily, the effects of atomoxetine on positive and negative symptoms and on cigarette smoking consumption in persons with schizophrenia will be examined.

The purpose of this trial is to study the effect of adding the omega-3 fatty acid EPA and/or Vitamins E + C to antipsychotic drugs in younger patients with schizophrenia and related psychoses.

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of galantamine and CDP-choline in improving symptoms associated with schizophrenia.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a herbal combination of water based extracts of Bacopa monnieri(BM) and Nardostachys jatamansi(NJ) is effective in the treatment of Schizophrenia. The working hypothesis for this study is that a herbal combination of BM and NJ will be as effective as modern anti-psychotic drugs, in the treatment of Schizophrenia, and will be safe for long term use.

The purpose of this study is to develop the weight management program, which is combined with healthy diet, proper physical exercise, and behavior modification, related to patient's quality of life. The patients groups are in routine practice with 5-20 mg olanzapine. The study results may be utilized for patients who have gained weight on olanzapine and also other antipsychotic drugs.

The objective of this study is to examine the effects of aripiprazole on glucose metabolism in schizophrenic patients without hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus or any history thereof.

The objective of the study is to determine whether Panax Ginseng with multiple interactions with key components of brain signaling pathway, can augment the effects of antipsychotics in Schizophrenia. We are primarily interested to examine the actions of Ginseng combined with antipsychotics in improving the ways patients diagnosed with schizophrenia behave in social environment, store, process and retrieve information.