Active clinical trials for "Schizophrenia"

This project aims to a) evaluate the effects of selected antipsychotic medications on insulin action in skeletal muscle (glucose disposal), liver (glucose production) and adipose tissue (whole-body lipolysis), b) evaluate the effects of selected antipsychotic medications on abdominal adipose tissue mass, total body fat and total fat-free mass, and c) explore the longitudinal effects of treatment with selected antipsychotics on glucose tolerance, lipid profiles, abdominal adipose tissue mass, total body fat and total fat-free mass. These hypotheses will be evaluated by measuring 1) whole-body glucose and lipid kinetics with the use of "gold-standard" stable isotope tracer methodology, 2) body composition using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging, and 3) longitudinal changes in glucose tolerance and lipid profiles. The aims will be addressed in non-diabetic schizophrenia patients chronically treated with risperidone, olanzapine, clozapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, or haloperidol, and untreated healthy controls. Re-evaluations will also be performed in patients who are randomized to switch from their current antipsychotic (from the above groups) to risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, or ziprasidone for 6 months. Relevant data is critically needed to target basic research, identify long-term cardiovascular consequences, and plan therapeutic interventions.

The trial is designed to assess the long term subjective well-being in schizophrenic outpatients treated with quetiapine XR (extended release) or oral risperidone at flexible dose in a naturalistic setting over a period of one year. Secondary outcome measures have been selected for helping in the differentiation of the compared atypical antipsychotics. The primary objective of this study is to demonstrate the non-inferiority of quetiapine XR to risperidone assessed at month 6 in terms of responder rate using the self-report instrument SWN-K

This study will determine the effectiveness of social cognition and interaction training, a manual-based group therapy program, in helping people with schizophrenia improve their social cognition and social functioning.

This is a pilot study evaluating the feasibility of a new family-based intervention for schizophrenia. It is designed to help clients diagnosed with schizophrenia to overcome the devastating effects of neurocognitive deficits on everyday functioning (Family-Directed Cognitive Adaptation, FCA). Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are known to contribute to devastating functional impairments and caregiver burden, as clients rely on caregivers for help with basic living needs, such as personal hygiene, time management, social skills, and progress towards vocational and educational goals. Specifically, we will 1) Develop a manualized, family treatment program designed to improve adaptive functioning of patients with schizophrenia, and 2) Conduct a pilot feasibility study to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of this intervention, and to collect preliminary outcome data. This will lay the foundation for a controlled trial of the efficacy of the intervention. We expect that: The FCA intervention will be well-received and well-tolerated by clients and families, as demonstrated by a high level of interest in the program, a low rate of attrition, and a high rate of participant satisfaction. Client participants in the FCA intervention will show improvements in adaptive, independent-living skills (e.g., personal hygiene and self-care, medication management, time management, social skills, and responsibility for health maintenance) that will be maintained three and six months following completion of the intervention. Family members participating in the FCA program will show reduced burden of care and time spent caregiving, greater satisfaction in their relationship with the client, improved self-efficacy in the caregiver role, and reduced psychological distress (e.g., depression, anxiety, and hopelessness) at the completion of the program and at three and six-month follow-up interviews.

To collect the safety and response of using Amisulpride in acute schizophrenic patients

Because ziprasidone has not been extensively studied and is not widely accepted in the severely mentally ill in State hospitals this study aims to demonstrate its effectiveness and relative lack of side effects. 75 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who need a change of medication because of ineffectiveness or side effects will be changed to ziprasidone and followed with detailed assessments for eight weeks. The hypothesis is that they will improve and have fewer side effects.

This study will compare the effectiveness of three treatments in improving medication adherence, symptoms, and function in people with schizophrenia.

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug for the treatment of cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia.

The present protocol proposes study of the recently approved compound sodium oxybate (Xyrem), a gamma-aminobutyric acid type b (GABAB) and a g-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) receptor agonist, for the study of persistent symptoms of schizophrenia. Sodium oxybate is a central nervous system depressant currently approved for treatment of narcolepsy associated with cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness. In addition to evaluating effects on sodium oxybate on persistent symptoms and neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia, the study will test the hypothesis that this medication may be particularly effective in combating Insomnia Related to Schizophrenia, and in normalizing symptomatic and polysomnographic manifestations of sleep-related brain dysfunction in schizophrenia.

The purpose of this research study is to find out what effects (good and bad) that omega-3 fatty acids has on schizophrenia.