Active clinical trials for "Psychotic Disorders"

The selection of antipsychotic in early stages of the illness is mainly determined by its clinical effectiveness. Second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are the first line drug treatment for individuals suffering from schizophrenia. It is clear that SGAs are not a homogeneous group and clinical effects and profile of side effects differ between SGAs. Differences among antipsychotics in terms of effectiveness have turned out to be a topic of increasing research interest, although comparisons between the different SGAs are scarce. In first episode of psychosis, SGAs have shown a higher treatment effectiveness compared to first generation antipsychotics (FGAs) (findings primarily driven by Haloperidol). Less evident seems to be the notion that some of the SGAs might be more effective (in terms of treatment discontinuation) than others. Most of the medium-term randomized studies have shown similar rates of all-cause treatment discontinuation in first episode patients treated with different SGAs. It may be concluded that more randomized controlled trails should be accomplished to determine the position of frequently used SGAs in clinical practice. The investigators undertook this study with the major objective of comparing the clinical effectiveness of three widely utilized SGAs (Aripiprazole, Ziprasidone and Quetiapine) in the acute treatment of first-episode non-affective psychosis individuals.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of two doses (50 and 100 mg) of NBI-98854 administered once daily for the treatment of Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) symptoms.

This study is aimed at evaluating whether the computer-based cognitive exercises in the Thinking Skills for Work (TSW) program are critical to improving work and cognitive outcomes in consumers with serious mental illness and cognitive impairment enrolled in supported employment (SE), or whether a streamlined version of TSW without this component (the Cognitive Skills for Work (CSW) program) is equally effective for some or all consumers. An RCT will be conducted at two sites (Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester in New Hampshire and Thresholds Inc. in Illinois) with 244 consumers randomly assigned to one of two groups (122 each, with approximately 122 participants having schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 122 of the participants having other diagnoses): 1) TSW, or 2) CSW. The TSW and CSW programs will be delivered by the same Cognitive Specialists, who will work as members of the SE team to integrate cognitive and vocational services. All participants will continue to receive SE services. Participants will be assessed at baseline, post-treatment at 8 months (after completion of the active teaching components of TSW or CSW), and at 16 and 24 months post-baseline to evaluate cognitive functioning, symptoms, and quality of life. All work outcomes will be tracked weekly. In addition, a supplementary study, commencing in September 2015, will assess a promising biomarker for understanding the mechanisms underlying the effects of cognitive remediation, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in new enrollees in the parent R01 study. This supplement will complement the aims of the parent R01 by shedding light on possible mechanisms related to how TSW works and for whom, thereby informing efforts to refine and improve the program, as well as targeting individuals who fail to benefit. The supplement will take place at the same sites as the parent R01.

The overarching purpose of this pilot study is to collect preliminary data regarding the variability of weight gain associated with lurasidone (Latuda©) treatment of antipsychotic naive children and adolescents in order to inform decisions about including a lurasidone arm in a future large scale trial of different approaches to minimize antipsychotic associated weight gain in the pediatric population. In adults, lurasidone appears to cause minimal weight gain. The participants will be 6-19 years old with psychotic spectrum, mood spectrum, or autism spectrum disorders. They will have 4 weeks or less of lifetime antipsychotic exposure.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of family cognitive adaptation training, including its impact on functioning and caregiver burden. Families that receive the manual will be compared with a control group of families that will not receive the manual. The larger goal is to add to the tools family members have access to better support their family members with schizophrenia.

The purpose of this study is to develop and pilot test personalized and scalable approaches to Cognitive Remediation (CR) for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The intent is to more clearly define the therapeutic targets important to the facilitation of cognitive and functional improvement so that clinicians know how to customize cognitive interventions and deliver treatment in a more effective, efficient and personally relevant manner.

Rationale: There is ample evidence that inflammatory processes play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Although Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to be able to reduce symptoms in these patients, these drugs either have unfavourable cardiovascular side effects or are otherwise not well tolerated. Moreover, patients with schizophrenia already tend to have an increased cardiovascular risk. The combination of well-established vascular protection and reduction of inflammation by simvastatin offers a highly attractive potential to further improve the treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders. Hypotheses: Daily treatment with 40mg simvastatin in addition to antipsychotic treatment reduces psychotic symptoms, improves cognition, attenuates brain volume loss, and decreases the risk for metabolic syndrome as well as for movement disorders, when compared to placebo. Objective: The primary objective of this trial is to investigate the proposed beneficial effect of simvastatin as compared to placebo when given for one year in addition to antipsychotic medication to patients with psychotic disorder. We expect lower symptom severity as measured with the PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) and less cognitive decline as measured with the BACS (Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia).Secondary objectives are assessment of general functioning, presence and severity of metabolic syndrome and degree of movement disorders, and assessments of brain volume. Lastly, we examine various immunological parameters in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the experience of childhood trauma. Study design: Randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial. Study population: 150 men and women, between 18 and 50 years of age, diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective or schizophreniform disorder (DSM-IV 295.*) or psychosis NOS (not otherwise specified) (298.9). Onset of first psychosis no longer than 3 years ago. Intervention: Patients will be randomized 1:1 to either 40 mg simvastatin or placebo daily, in the form of identical tablets.

Preventing psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and associated functional disability could relieve an enormous burden of personal and family suffering and economic losses to society. This project aims to conduct a pilot randomized trial to determine the efficacy of a family-focused treatment in comparison with treatment-as-usual in enhancing functional outcomes, stabilizing symptoms, and preventing or delaying the onset of full psychosis in transitional age youth with prodromal symptoms. The results of this study will be crucial for the development of cost-effective, evidence-based psychosocial approaches to psychosis prevention and thus will have major implications for public health.

The purpose of this study is help people with serious mental illness and receiving vocational rehabilitation get and keep the job they want by improving their thinking skills, such as attention and memory, using computer exercises and other strategies. One half of the participants in the study will receive vocational rehabilitation and the exercises to improve thinking skills, and the other half will receive just vocational rehabilitation. All participants will receive an assessment of symptoms and thinking skills at the beginning of the study and 6, 12, and 24 months later. Work activity during the 24 months in the study will be collected. It is expected that those participants who receive the practice of their thinking skills will be more likely to get and keep the job they want compared with people who do not receive this treatment.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential benefits of combining cognitive remediation and exercise in improving cognitive functioning and response to psychiatric rehabilitation.