Comparison of Clozapine vs Olanzapine in Childhood-Onset Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia Clinical Trial

Official title: Childhood Onset Psychotic Disorders: Characterization and Treatment With Atypical Neuroleptics

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness and side effects of the drugs clozapine and olanzapine in children and adolescents with schizophrenia and psychoses.

Childhood psychosis is a serious disorder that may have devastating consequences. Effective treatments for the condition are under continual investigation. This study will examine the causes of and offer treatment for childhood psychosis.

Participants in this study will undergo psychological tests, blood and urine tests, electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (EKG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain for the first 1 to 2 weeks of the study while taking their regular medications. Participants will then be tapered off their medications over 1 to 3 weeks and will continue to stay off medications for an additional 2 days to 3 weeks. During this time, participants will undergo psychiatric, neurological, and cardiac examinations as well as blood tests. After this period without medications, participants will be randomly assigned to receive either clozapine or olanzapine for 8 weeks. An EEG will be performed prior to treatment and after 6 weeks of study medication. Participants who respond well to the study drugs may continue to receive them through their own physician. Participants who do not respond to either clozapine or olanzapine or cannot tolerate their side effects will be treated individually with other drugs until optimum treatment is identified. Regular telephone updates and in person visits to NIH for repeat testing and MRIs will be conducted.

Clinical Trial Description

The purpose of this protocol is to compare efficacy of clozapine and olanzapine in children and adolescents with schizophrenia and psychoses, as well as to learn about side effects of these medication in pediatric population. The underlying hypothesis is that clozapine has superior efficacy over olanzapine.

Children and adolescents, ages 7 to 18 years, meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and psychotic disorder not otherwise specified, with onset of psychosis before their 13th birthday, who have not responded to at least two prior trials with typical or a typical neuroleptics, will be eligible to participate in a double-blind, parallel group, trial of olanzapine-clozapine.

This study will be done in conjunction with the Screening protocol, which will include characterization by clinical phenomenology, eye tracking, MRI brain imaging, plasma biochemistry, and chromosomal analysis.

This study will consist of the following phases 1) Tapering of psychotropic medications (1-4 weeks, depending upon type and dosage). 2) Observation for up to 2 weeks drug free, in order to establish a baseline prior to starting medication trial. 3) An 8 week double-blind trial of either clozapine or olanzapine. Efficacy and tolerability of clozapine and olanzapine will be compared using specified criteria. 4) If desired improvement not achieved or trial is interrupted, an 8 week open trial of the second medication and 5) Discharge following medication optimization for up to 4 weeks, or as clinically appropriate. This protocol also includes a follow-up every 2 to 3 years for a period of 10 years. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Childhood Schizophrenia
• Mental Disorders
• Psychotic Disorder
• Psychotic Disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Schizophrenia, Childhood

• NCT number: NCT00001656
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 4
• Start date: June 1997
• Completion date: June 2008