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 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.

GSK729327 is a selective positive allosteric modulator of AMPA-type ionotropic glutamate receptors, exhibiting equivalent potency at all AMPA receptor subtypes. On the basis of preclinical studies it is expected that this compound will improve cognitive measures in schizophrenic patients with acceptable safety. This is a First Time in Human Study (FTIH) to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and preliminary pharmacodynamics of GSK729327 in healthy volunteers. The study will be conducted in 2 parts, with single doses being explored in Part A and multiple doses over 28 days in Part B. Part A will be a single blind, placebo controlled, single oral dose, dose-rising cross-over study in healthy male volunteers. Subjects will be randomized into two cohorts with an alternate panel design. There will be up to nine dosing sessions in total in order to investigate up to 7 different doses. The initial dose will be 0.25 mg and subsequent doses will be determined based on the pharmacokinetic and safety results from the previous dose. Part B will be a randomised, single blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study of repeat oral dosing of GSK729327. Up to 4 cohorts of 15 (12 subjects receiving active dose and 3 subjects receiving placebo) healthy male and females of (non-childbearing potential) volunteers will be enrolled in Part B.

The purpose of this study is to document the long-term safety of 25, 37.5, or 50 mg long-acting injectable risperidone given via injection to the gluteal muscle every 2 weeks to subjects with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Cigarette smoking represents a major health problem for patients suffering from schizophrenia. Compared to the general population, schizophrenic patients are significantly more likely to be addicted to nicotine. They also are more likely to be heavy smokers, and tend to be exposed disproportionately to nicotine and other harmful ingredients in the cigarette because of the observed tendency to smoke down to the very end. Further, smoking in these patients may be associated with a higher risk for developing tardive dyskinesia All of these factors render schizophrenic patients a particularly vulnerable group for the detrimental effects of tobacco-related medical problems. Currently, there is little information available regarding the efficacy and utility of smoking cessation treatment methods, as well as factors that may predict patients' response to such treatments. An important related issue is the influence of smoking, and its cessation, on the effects of the medications most of these patients rely upon for the control of their psychiatric symptoms. Although smoking has long been known to significantly alter the metabolism, and thus the effects, of most antipsychotics, the extent and clinical significance of these influences have rarely been assessed. It is unclear to what extent smoke cessation (as well as initiation) changes the side effect profiles of these medications, and whether such changes contribute towards the difficulties in patients' ability and/or willingness to stop smoking. In addition, except pharmacological intervention, readiness to change may be an important factor affecting the outcomes of smoking reduction. Prochaska et al proposed the concept of stages of change to predict the response of quitting behavior for substance use. A lot of evidence support the stronger of readiness of change, the higher successful rate of quitting can be reached. Yet these results are largely found in many non-pharmacological intervention and smoking cessation programs for general population. Till now, no available study solely focus readiness of change quitting smoking behavior in NRT treatment for chronic schizophrenic patients. Thus, we have an a great interest in examining the association between the stages of change and the outcomes of smoking-cessation along with reduction among schizophrenic patients receiving transdermal nicotine patches. In order to begin addressing these important issues, this application proposes to utilize state-of-the-art methodologies derived from the field of pharmacogenetics, molecular biology and clinical trials, to (1) examine short-term and long-term efficacy of standard treatment methods, such as the use of nicotine patches, in this population; (2) identify factors that might predict treatment responses; and, (3) examine the interactions between smoking and the effect of antipsychotics, as well as how such interactions might affect smoking cessation. (4) to examine the predictive value of the stages of change on smoking cessation and reduction outcomes in schizophrenic patients receiving different doses of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and bupropion as implemented in a randomized trial.

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.

Objective: Social Cognition and Emotional Intelligence have been shown to be deficient in patients with schizophrenia and these are not remediated by antipsychotic medications or psychosocial interventions. Social cognition is associated with functional outcome, an important step in striving for recovery in this population. The hormone and neurotransmitter, oxytocin, which has been associated with social bonding and trust has been shown to improve measures of some aspects of social cognition in humans. The study will assess the effect of acute administration of intranasal oxytocin on measures of social cognition and functioning as well as on emotional intelligence and symptoms. Study population: The study population will include patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who have been on a stable medication regimen for 6 weeks. We will enroll a total of 30 subjects (N=15 placebo and N=15 oxytocin groups). Experimental design and methods: After a one week lead in phase, participants will undergo 3 weeks of oxytocin (20 IU BID) or placebo administration (double blind) in addition to their existing medication regimen. Outcome measures will be administered during the lead in phase, and at the end of the study drug administration phase (under the acute effect of OT). The primary outcome measure will be the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) and the Maryland Assessment of Social Competence (MASC). Secondary measures include rating from the domains of social cognition (emotion perception, attributional style, theory of mind and social perception), symptom rating and measures of social anxiety and quality of life. Side effects and symptoms will be measured weekly.