Active clinical trials for "Schizophrenia"

To verify the efficacy of a group cognitive-behavioral therapy approach to lessening psychotic symptoms of individuals with a first episode of psychosis, and to compare its effects to a known skills training approach and a control group. Our primary hypotheses were that CBT would do better than the control group at all points in time, and better than the skills training approach, though only at follow-ups

This study is a ten-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over, randomized trial of the novel antipsychotic agent, aripiprazole, added to 20 obese stable olanzapine-treated patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The advantage of the crossover design is that each subject will act as their own control and fewer subjects will be required than a between-group design.

Purpose of Study: A) To improve outcome in large population of antipsychotic patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective who are only partial responders B) To increase understanding of pharmacology and mechanisms of action underlying antipsychotic effect Hypothesis/Objectives of the Study: Tetrabenazine, through its pre-synaptic action, should augment the post-synaptic effects of an antipsychotic. Background and Rationale for the study: Preliminary evidence that other amine-depleting agents e.g., reserpine, can induce such an effect

This study will compare bifeprunox to a currently marketed medication, Zyprexa (olanzapine), with respect to the affect on weight during the treatment of outpatients with schizophrenia. The study will compare the effect of these medications on several variables, including body weight and triglyceride levels.

The aim of the proposed study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of add-on gamma-glutamylethylamide (L-theanine) versus a placebo for antipsychotic treatment for 8 weeks in a randomized, double-blind, parallel group study of 60 patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders.

The proposed study would evaluate the benefits of riluzole add-on treatment to patients with schizophrenia who are already receiving medications, but still experience symptoms. Neuroprotective medication riluzole is currently approved for treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), a severe neurological illness. Due to its unique mechanism of action, riluzole, if effective in helping the symptoms of schizophrenia, would open novel directions in treatment of schizophrenia.

This is a 6-week, randomized, double blind, parallel groups designed, olanzapine-controlled trial of oral dipyridamole in symptomatic patients with a (DSM IV) diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective or schizophreniform disorder. This pilot study aims to provide preliminary estimates of whether the effect sizes of dipyridamole on positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive deficits differ between schizophrenia patients treated with dipyridamole, and schizophrenia patients treated with olanzapine. A total of 30 subjects will be recruited locally.

This is a randomized (patients are assigned different treatments based on chance), double-blind (neither the patient nor the physician knows whether drug or placebo is being taken, or at what dosage), active-controlled, flexible-dose, parallel group, multicenter study. The study consists of a screening phase, a double-blind treatment phase (6 weeks) and a safety follow-up phase (1 week). The patients in this study will be randomized to 1 of 2 treatment groups to receive extended release OROS paliperidone or Olanzapine once daily for the 6-week double-blind treatment phase. Randomization will occur in a ratio of 1 (extended release OROS paliperidone) to 1 (Olanzapine). Patients must be hospitalized at least 14 days after entry. Those who receive extended release OROS paliperidone will start at a dosage of 6 mg taken daily, dose may be titrated up by 3mg/day every 7 days, or down rapidly based on the balance of efficacy (effectiveness of drug) and safety/tolerability assessed by the investigator. After the initial 7 days, dose could be flexible within 3-12mg/day. Those who receive olanzapine will start at a dosage of 5mg taken daily, dose may be titrated up by 5mg/day every 7 days, or down rapidly based on the balance of efficacy and safety/tolerability assessed by the investigator. After the initial 7 days, dose could be flexible within 5-15mg/day. Efficacy parameters include Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) score, Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) and Personal and Social Performance (PSP) score per assessment visit. The primary efficacy is the change in PANSS from baseline to the last post-randomization assessment. Safety assessments include the adverse events, changes in physical examination, vital signs, laboratory tests at pretreatment and posttreatment.

Varenicline (Chantix) is a smoking cessation treatment that was approved in 2006 by the FDA for treatment of nicotine dependence and may be particularly beneficial in smokers with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Early experience with varenicline indicates that it will be effective for smoking cessation in schizophrenia and in addition, has the potential to be therapeutic for cognitive dysfunction in this population. In addition, more data is needed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of Varenicline in people with bipolar disorder. To assess this possibility, we will evaluate the safety and efficacy of 12 months of varenicline in schizophrenia or bipolar disorder patients who are able to quit smoking in the short term with this treatment. To do so, we will enroll 324 smokers with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder from 6 mental health clinics in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Michigan and Minnesota into an open, 12-week smoking cessation program that includes varenicline added to weekly group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Those who achieve at least 2 weeks of continuous abstinence during the last 2 weeks of the open intervention will be randomized to the relapse prevention phase: a 40-week, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of varenicline at the dose used to quit smoking added to a tapering CBT schedule. Participants will then discontinue study medications and behavioral treatment and enter a 3-month follow up phase.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate efficacy and safety of quetiapine fumarate (SEROQUEL) compared with placebo in the treatment of adolescent patients with schizophrenia.