
A Single-Center, Double-Blind (DB) Study of MEM 3454 on P50 Sensory Gating and Mismatch Negativity...
SchizophreniaThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of nicotinic alpha-7 MEM 3454 on P50 sensory gating in patients with Schizophrenia. The hypothesis is that MEM 3454 will normalize the P50 ratio. Data produced in this study will provide useful information regarding the value of P50 as an efficacy biomarker, and provide evidence for the optimal dosing of MEM 3454 for additional P50 studies.

A Pharmacogenetic Investigation of Antipsychotics in Schizophrenia and Schizophrenia-Like Psychoses...
SchizophreniaSchizoaffective DisorderAn individual's genetic make-up is known to determine their response to antipsychotic medication. Genetic markers that determine efficacy and side effects of medication may be identified and used to predict treatment outcome. The study is a naturalistic study of routinely prescribed antipsychotics using outcome measures undertaken as part of the routine clinical care of the cohort. These clinical data are linked with genetic information obtained from DNA and RNA from blood samples undertaken as part of the study. No alteration is made to the subjects treatment regime or medication. The study is a two stage investigation: The first stage involves the collection of a databank of clinical information and blood samples for DNA and RNA extraction from patients treated with antipsychotic medication. The second stage is a molecular genetic investigation of treatment-related genetic factors that may contribute to response prediction and predisposition to side effects. From these genetic studies pharmacogenetic prediction tests will be validated and/or developed.

Remediation of Schizophrenia Sensory Gating Deficit With Aripiprazole
SchizophreniaSensory GatingThe purpose of this study is the use of magnetoencephalography or MEG (a machine that measures magnetic activity in your brain) and electroencephalography or EEG (a technique that measures electrical activity in your brain) to study how sounds are processed in individuals with schizophrenia prior to initiation with aripiprazole treatment and after three months of taking the antipsychotic medication aripiprazole.

Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Long-acting Risperidone Microspheres in Patients With Schizophrenia...
SchizophreniaCatatonic6 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of patients on long-acting Risperidone microshpheres injection. The major advantage of long-acting injection over oral medication is facilitation of compliance in medication taking. Non-compliance is very common among schizophrenic and is a frequent cause of relapse.

Genetic Expression in Schizophrenics Treated With SSRI Augmentation: Relationship to Clinical and...
SchizophreniaIn our study we aim to examine the effect of SSRI augmentation on negative symptoms and cognitive function in schizophrenia patients as well as to examine the effect of SSRI augmentation on the RNA and protein products in peripheral mononuclear cells (PMC). Finally, we aim to relate changes in PMC elements to changes in clinical symptoms and cognitive function. Our study hypotheses are that SSRI augmentation of anti-psychotic treatment in schizophrenia patients will improve negative symptoms as well as cognitive symptoms and that this improvement will be related to biochemical changes identifiable in PMC elements.

Bexarotene Treatment in Schizophrenia
SchizophreniaIn this proposed study, we aim to investigate the effects of Bexarotene (Targretin; LGD1069; 4-[1-{5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-2-naphthalenyl} ethenyl] benzoic acid) on severity of psychopathology, cognitive impairment, and quality of life in schizophrenia patients in an open label trial. The rationale behind add-on oral bexarotene to ongoing antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia patients is based on both the retinoid dysregulation hypothesis (Goodman, 1995) and the growth factors deficiency and synaptic destabilization hypothesis (Moises et al, 2002) of schizophrenia. In this clinical trial, a novel regimen of low dose bexarotene (Targretin, 75 mg/day) will be added for 6 weeks to the standard treatment of 15 schizophrenia patients on stable antipsychotic treatment. Participants will be assessed at baseline and after 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment. A battery of research instruments will be used for assessment of efficacy and safety (psychopathology, and side effects). In addition, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, liver and thyroid function tests and a blood cell count will be monitored at baseline and during therapy.

Dopamine D2 and D3 Receptor Occupancy and Clinical Response in Older Patients With Schizophrenia...
SchizophreniaSchizoaffective Disorder1 moreThis study will provide information regarding dopamine D2/D3 occupancy related with clinical/adverse effects in older people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The results of this study will also show an appropriate dose range in order to evade undesirable adverse effects while deriving therapeutic effects, which will directly serve to guide physicians in clinical practice. Furthermore, the findings of this study will elucidate mechanisms underlying older people's increased sensitivity to antipsychotic drugs. In addition, the contribution of D2 and D3 in mediating antipsychotic response will be contrasted, using 2 radiotracers, which has never been tested in an older population. The hypotheses are as follows: First, clinical response (i.e., a ≥ 20% decrease in the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale total score) will be achieved in older patients with occupancy that is lower than the threshold of 60% in historical young controls. Second, prolactin elevation and EPS will be detected in older patients with occupancies that are lower than the thresholds of 72 and 78% reported in historical young controls. Third, dopamine D2 receptor occupancy will be inversely correlated with subjective well-beings. Fourth, the binding potential and receptor occupancy will be at least 20% lower with [11C]-(+)-PHNO than with [11C]-raclopride in the caudate/putamen. Fifth, the binding of [11C]-(+)-PHNO in the globus pallidus will be higher than that of [11C]-raclopride.

Psychological Intervention for Persons in the Early Initial Prodromal State
SchizophreniaPsychosisThe purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to develop a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for persons with at risk mental states in the early initial prodromal state and to evaluate CBT in comparison to supportive counselling (SC).It is hypothesized that CBT is more effective than SC on transition to subthreshold psychosis, psychosis and schizophrenia as well as on prodromal symptoms and social adjustment.

Study on the Safety and Effectiveness of Risperidone Treatment of Acute Psychotic Patients
SchizophreniaSchizoaffective Disorder1 moreThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of risperidone treatment in acute psychotic patients that require an admission into emergency department. The effectiveness of risperidone in controlling acute psychotic symptomatology and incidence, severity and risk of psychomotor agitation in acute psychotic patients was also studied.

PET Imaging Study of Amish and Mennonite Patients With CNTNAP2 Mutations
SchizophreniaThe primary goal of the present study is to evaluate the utility of mGluR5 binding as measured by PET as a biomarker of the CNTNAP2 mutation and related /mTOR kinase pathway dysregulation.