Active clinical trials for "Psychotic Disorders"

In this study we, the investigators at UMC Utrecht, intend to investigate changes in brain activation patterns using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in patients suffering from schizophrenia who are medication naive or off medication, before using medication and after 8 weeks of medication. Patients will perform a working memory task, a language task and a motor task while lying in the scanner. We hypothesize that the efficiency of the working memory system is reduced and that the lateralization of language is diminished in these patients, and that these functions will normalize after treatment.

Aim: To describe anesthetic depth using spectal edge frequency (SEF) and density spectral array (DSA) and its relation to treatment effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Study design: Observational study Primary outcomes: SEF, DSA and treatment effect of ECT. Method: SEF and DSA si measured using a commercially available monitor for depth of anesthesia. Treatment effect of ECT will be evaluated using hemodynamic, electroencephalographic and clinical variables.

A double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover study to determine whether a single dose of N-acetylcysteine (a nutritional supplement) can reduce brain glutamate levels in patients with a psychotic disorder. Secondary outcomes are to determine the pattern of alteration in brain perfusion and activity following a single dose of N-acetylcysteine.

The objective of this multi-site research collaboration is to test the manifestation and distribution of biological markers for psychosis and affect dimensions across the schizophrenia/bipolar (SZ-BD) diagnostic boundary, and to examine heritability and genetic associations for these biological markers.

The aim of the case series study is to explore if a self directed version of the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) is a feasible and acceptable intervention for individuals with psychosis who are parents.

Mental disorders are common in youth and adults. Symptoms of mental are aggravated by unemployment. Compared to the working population, the unemployed have higher rates of poor health, a tendency toward negative emotionality and depression, show symptoms of exhaustion more frequently, and experience disturbed sleep or have a sleep disorder. It can be reasonably expected that unemployment in adolescents and young adults causes the same symptoms and behaviors as in adults. In those youth with a mental disorder, particularly an untreated one, the transfer from school to the employment market can be hindered. At the same time, the investigators notice an increase in early disability pensions due to mental health issues among adolescents. Thus, the early recognition and treatment of mental disorders and psychological strain is crucial in promoting the employment of young people and supporting their connection to the employment market.With this project the investigators want to implement an early intervention and reach out to unemployed youth. The investigators identified the period between graduation and first employment as the ideal moment of intervention, because this time period is a critical period in which young people are exposed to increasing personal challenges. Conducting an intervention before a psychological stress transforms into a mental disorder, can prevent harm and suffering to the afflicted person. In addition, early intervention could help prevent the need to enroll in the early disability pension program.

The study represents the research component of a broader initiative entitled "RedeAmericas". RedeAmericas (RA) is a collaborative effort of investigators from six cities across Latin America (Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Medellin, Neuquen, Rio de Janeiro, and Santiago) and Columbia University in New York. This is a pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of Critical Time Intervention-Task Shifting (CTI-TS). It is designed to address a fundamental gap in the services offered by mental health clinics. These clinics are the primary locale for outpatient treatment of individuals with severe mental disorders in the urban areas of Latin America, and they offer some basic and important clinical care such as pharmacologic treatment onsite. Generally these clinics also have a major limitation; they have inadequate resources and training for the provision of in vivo community-based services, that is, services delivered outside of the clinic facility in homes or elsewhere in the community. In most urban areas, they also have weak links to primary health care and are not easily accessible to much of the population. CTI-TS, is a task shifting intervention that at the service user level provides support for better community living and promotes social integration, and at the system level strengthens the connections between mental health and primary care clinics. CTI-TS is a time-limited 9-month intervention provided at the critical time when a person is first offered services at a mental health clinic. During this period CTI-TS workers forge relationships that will shape the continuing use of services and enhance the potential for recovery over the subsequent course of time. The overall goal of CTI-TS is to improve the lives of those with severe mental disorders who receive community-based mental health care.

This study will identify and evaluate relevant biomarkers and structural brain imaging for understanding potential biological illness related mechanisms in medication-naïve subjects with early psychosis before and after initiation of antipsychotic medication

When compared with those in the control (usual care) group, participants in the AT group are expected to demonstrate significant improvements immediately and at three, six and 12 months after completion of the intervention in: level of medication adherence, readmission rate, mental status, insight into treatment, and level of functioning.

The aim of the COPUS study is to investigate, whether it is possible to recruit and retain young people with first-episode psychosis, to an 8 week supervised High-Intensity Functional Training intervention (HIFT) (i.e. COPUS Intervention) and to investigate if oxygen uptake, body composition and physical function improves following participation in the intervention.