View clinical trials related to Mental Disorders.
Filter by:BBB dysfunction has been indicated in some groups of schizophrenia patients by measuring increased albumin and immunoglobulin (IgG) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels. Most of the authors described a raised protein level in 5-20% of the schizophrenic patients (Muller & Ackenheil, 1995). Increased S100B levels were demonstrated in the serum of patients suffering from schizophrenia as well as depression, and this may reflect increased BBB permeability. Furthermore, this increase remains in those patients who develop a residual state with relevant negative symptoms, whereas S100B levels normalize in recovering patients (Shalev, Serlin & Friedman, 2009). CSF albumin and CSF IgG values correlate significantly with some of the SANS (Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms) subscales and the SANS total score, this shows the correlation between BBB permeability and behavioral changes. It is important to say that although negative symptoms are often signs of chronicity of the disease, the abnormal CSF findings in Muller's experiment (1995) are not related to the duration of the disease, because the patients were quite young and the duration of the disease was less than 3 years. The investigators hypothesize that a primary vascular pathology, which leads to BBB breakdown, will result a leakage of serum-derived vascular components in to the brain tissue and may cause brain dysfunction such as disturbed thinking processes, mood and behavior, as we can see in psychiatric patients.
A total of 160 subjects, who aged 18-35 and had completed the first 2 years of case management in the EASY programme will be randomized in 1:1 ratio into either (1) receiving an additional year of case management, or (2) terminating case management for the next 12 months. The current study aims to investigate whether an additional year of case management in year 3 will confer additional benefits in outcome, in terms of functioning, symptoms, quality of life and health economics.
The goal of our research is to check the levels of D-Serine, Glycine, and other Glutamatergic amino acids, in patients with First Psychotic Episode (FPE). These patients are in the early stage of the disease, treated with neuroleptics for short periods of time, and are usually hospitalized for the first time. The hypothesis of the research is that we will find low levels of Glycine and D-Serine in these patients. Following an Anti-psychotic treatment we will expect these levels to return to the norm, and that this correction will be accompanied by a reduction of positive and negative symptoms. In addition, we will check the D-Serine and Glycine levels in the plasma of first degree relatives of the patients and a group of healthy subjects. The results of this study might support the hypothesis that the Glutamatergic system in involved in the pathology of Schizophrenia from it's early stages. In addition, we will check the levels of Oxytocin and Estrogen in the plasma of patients in FPE. Our hypothesis is that we will find low levels of Estrogen and High levels of Oxytocin in this group of patients. The results of the study might support the hypothesis that Estrogen and Oxytocin are involved in the pathology of Schizophrenia from it's early stages.
This is a 24-week, observational, prospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of improving cognitive function of aripiprazole in treating adolescents and young adults with psychotic disorder in Taiwan. Approximately 120 qualified patients who have clinical diagnosis of DSM-IV of psychotic symptom (e.g. schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders such as schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, shared psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder with psychotic feature or psychotic disorder not otherwise specified.) will be recruited to achieve at least 100 evaluable subjects. After signing the informed consent form, the demographics, medical history and concomitant medication will be recorded. Besides, physical examination, vital sign, BMI, DSM-IV multiaxial examination, CGI-S and menstrual history will be conducted. Laboratory tests and pregnancy test will be optionally conducted. After evaluating all variables obtained, the eligible patients will be enrolled into study. Patients who fulfill the inclusion / exclusion criteria will be performed the CPT, WCST, BPRS and WHOQOL. Afterwards, patients will be given their first medication at this visit (5 mg ~ 30 mg daily by subject). Besides, the switching period is maximum 8 weeks and is depended upon the clinical judgment of investigator. Efficacy will be evaluated by the change from baseline in Continuous Performance Test (CPT), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and The World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL). Safety will be evaluated by the frequency of adverse events, abnormal laboratory results, physical examination, vital sign, BMI and menstrual history for female subgroup analysis.